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50 replies on “Knicks Morning News (2025.07.26)”
Bondy:
“Z-Man, just to be obstreperous, given the measure you suggest — who had a higher ceiling before playing a minute — I think you have to give it to Obi, who even after playing for a while and clearly having a whole suite of weaknesses was still being talked about (by some) as a potential replacement down the line for Randle as a starting power forward.
Lunacy, and not taking anything away from Diawara, but there it is.”
Not at all, Raven, there’s no actual right answer here!
That said, I would argue that Obi’s ceiling had some very clear “structural” limitations. Beyond the fact that he was quite old when drafted, he was known for having “stiff hips.” You could see in the film that he was never going to be much of a defender for his size, and that his offensive post game would be somewhat limited by this non-correctible problem.
As you might remember, I was not among the posters who felt that Obi was a potential replacement for Randle as a starting PF, and saw him as topping out as an “energy guy off the bench.” I took a lot of heat for that position, more because of Randle having an outlier bad season than Obi showing anything all that special.
Anyway, I don’t see the same limitations with Diawara, meaning that there is nothing “structural” that separates him from having a very high ceiling. Imho he’s not “superstar” material, not even Siakam-level “star” in terms of potential (I watched a bunch Siakam’s 20yo film and aside from skill he just had a special motor/athleticism and impeccable timing, it was truly all about the shot.) But I do see something like an OG-level player in there if he can learn to shoot, meaning a “star” combo 3-and-D plus wing.
If I were to argue for someone on the list, it would probably be IQ. The main knocks on him were a) a complete inability to get to the rim, and b) lack of true PG skills, making his size more of an issue as a combo guard or pure 2, or small wing. But structurally, there was nothing separating him from becoming a “solid” (if not quite a star) starting PG, which is a pretty high ceiling, and I think he is approaching that level if not already there. You could probably make a similar argument for Deuce. In both cases, the court vision/passing that imo is more “you have it or you don’t” just isn’t high enough to get to “star” level at their size.
Alan, what’s your opinion on whether Thibs will get another HC job in the next year or two? My guess is that he will.
“If I were to argue for someone on the list, it would probably be IQ.”
I should amend this in light of what I had posted yesterday, which is that it might be Dadiet. He’s got the size and tools, and athleticism to have a very high ceiling. Of the young players, I think he has the best chance to have a significant impact this year. But as with Diawara, it all will depend on where the development tops out.
I agree about Dadiet also having a high ceiling.
For those still agnostic about Dadiet’s potential, especially since he played so little last season and didn’t show much in the G-Leaguehere’s a highlight reel from his 18yo season at Ratiopharm Ulm. He really shows the entire package on offense…
-all varieties of 3’s (catch-and-shoot, off-the-dribble, above the break, corners)
-drives and finishes with both hands
-floaters
-Pull-ups in the lane over both shoulders
-advanced in and out dribble moves
-transition
-passes to cutters and dump-offs
The kid will turn 20 years old tomorrow, meaning he’s the same age as a bunch of this year’s lottery picks. If he played in the NCAA last year, my guess is that he would have gone top-10 in this year’s draft. He would have absolutely killed it vs. college players, especially with the shorter line.
But of course, one notable poster definitively stated that he was an “egregious waste of a good draft pick” so there’s little hope he amounts to anything.
Since it’s summer, does anyone here have any good instrumental music recs?
I don’t know, Z-Man. He certainly could have a Buck Showalter kind of career, where he keeps being hired by laughingstock franchises that just need someone to change the culture, institute basic competence, and raise the floor, with the understanding that he would eventually be replaced by someone else to get to the next level. But it feels like most of those kinds of franchises of late are opting more for the young assistant types who can grow with the team. And Thibs will be 68 by the time the coaching cycle opens up again next summer. So it could go either way.
Yeah Alan, agreed. He’s not really assistant coach material anymore, and has all the money he will ever need thanks to Leon, so I think his best path is sort of an 1-2 year interim gig with a developing team to instill a culture. It would be nice if the Wizards hired him, maybe our draft pick might convey!
I’m kind of pleased that Nick Kurtz is called ‘Big Amish’ (he’s 6’5″, 240) and churns butter when he hits homers.
(He grew up in PA’s Amish country, but is not Amish himself.)
May have to go listen to Jarre’s “Building the Barn” again…
Edit: ess-dog, didn’t even recognize I’d answered your question about good instrumentals — give it a listen… (with the video’s also good).
Simmons to the Celts makes a lot of sense. Sort of an interim fill-in until they shake off the post-Tatum injury get under the apron cobwebs. Probably would get too much scrutiny here.
i’m pretty big in to the green noise stuff ess-dog…
not exactly instrumental stuff, but great background noise to go through the day with…
Aaron Judge might have an elbow injury. Sigh.
I saw this last night and it melted my face off: it’s a new track from Blake Mills and Pino Palladino, who have a new record coming out soon. Blake Mills is probably the best guitarist on the planet. He is playing what looks to me like a fretless baritone guitar with some sort of sustain producing device that allows him to get a beautiful flute-like tone out of the instrument. His playing on this is just beyond my comprehension. Dude is from another planet.
Pino is the longtime bassist for D’Angelo and is also just nasty on this. Chris Dave from the same D’Angelo band sits in on drums for this track.
Blake and Pino made an excellent instrumental album a couple of years ago, but this tune surpasses anything on that fine album. Full length record is due soon.
https://youtu.be/f6s5JavYgE0?si=qkER_Hca2aqzypEE
Fantastic stuff, JK. Thanks.
And more please. Long summer…
If we get the ‘worst case’ on the MRI Cashman should pivot to sell mode and get whatever “A” class prospects he can get from Bellinger, Grisham and Goldschmidt (who are all having good seasons) and bring up TJ Rumfield (who is hitting over .300 over > 700 AAA at bats) and Spencer Jones (who has literally been crucifying the baseball since 5/1… 29HR in 255 ABs .314 BA and 1.117 OPS) and play Dominguez and Rice every day.
They caught a huge run of bad luck with Cole going down for the season, Schmidt going down for 1/2 the season and Gil missing their first 100 games. The lack of depth and length from the starters wore out a thin bullpen and they are toast now. No infusion of cash at the deadline can plug all the leaks.
Looks like Prigioni passed on the Knicks job due to family reasons per Begley
Damn. Prigs would’ve been interesting because he obviously worked with KAT in Minnesota. Looking through their offensive rankings, they had some pretty mixed results, but you gotta assume KAT liked him. Hell, he could be terrible and I’d still consider it a win just for having Prigioni back in the Garden.
Dope JK.
TBH, small alarm bells went off with Prigs. Love him but suggests FO tinkering with the coaching setup; rather give Brown full reign in our small window.
Another album?? Is there a link to go listen to the existing albums? 😉
Thanks JK!
Yanks must really hate the Mets…
😔
@JK, wow, thanks for that. I hear a lot of West African music from my youth, King Sunny Ade, et alia, but that fretless melodic guitar is something totally new to me. Far out. Can’t wait to hear the new album.
At the moment, I’m listening to their Tiny Desk concert, which has some cool stuff.
This Yankee team is too injured
Judge going to the IL and doesn’t need TJ surgery
As for the Yanks, seems incredibly obvious that any move they make should now be focused on next year. This could be a transition year to a great team in 2026 if they aren’t short-sighted about it.
The good news for the Yankees is that Aaron Judge should be back for the playoffs.
The bad news for the Yankees is that Aaron Judge should be back for the playoffs.
I’m joking there, Yankee fans. I’m glad it doesn’t appear to be a serious injury, and I bet he rakes this year in the playoffs.
Excellent rec, JK. I was listening to Horse Lords, who are super talented, but this is definitely more of the chill/melodic vibe I was looking for. Thanks!
https://youtu.be/neB0zFmkJis
How about an afternoon of traditional Turkish music, this woman has hundreds of recordings.
Why… just out of curiosity?
Well, we could have used some Yankee wins these last couple of days, speaking for Mets fans here
Judge can only be back for the playoffs if the Yankees make the playoffs.
Don’t love our chances without him.
Not exactly instrumental but my favorite band of the last few years has been The Cocteau Twins. 90 percent of the lyrics and singing is unintelligble gibberish but they made some of the most beautiful music ever.
As tempting as it is to not watch any Yankee games until Judge returns the one position the Yankees do have alot of depth and talent is the outfield. Doesn’t matter if Judge plays or not though if they don’t add a few arms by the trade deadline…
I’m fairly certain the Yankees worrying about their own sinking chances was a far bigger thought on their minds than how losing in awful fashion to the Phillies impacted the Mets.
They better add about 6 arms if they want to have any chance.
Yankees should give those Judge ABs to Spencer Jones and see what happens. He’s 24 and has blasted out a 204 wRC+ in AA and AAA this year. He seems ready for the show.
Jones strikes out a lot, but if there was ever a time for him to get a taste of the bigs, this is it.
It would be extremely unusual for someone who swings and misses the ball as much as Jones does to be a productive MLB hitter. I’m pretty interested in seeing what he can do
Joey Gallo who could play a decent CF would be a pretty good player but I think even Gallo made significantly more contact than Jones does
Jasson, Grisham and Cody will be the OF until Judge returns. Assume Pereira will get called up and possibly play against LH pitching.
Meanwhile, our own Al Sep seems to think Pike is the best Star Trek captain. Ban this fool! Al, you’re just envious of the hair. (Who isn’t?) But there’s a whole episode of his own show about Kirk making the right call in a crucial moment where Pike fails.
So disillusioned right now….
That was really great, JK. Here are a few:
https://youtu.be/KR8yUkcLOfw?si=OUHniJfwcsEIQlWV
Indeed JK, the tracks are wonderful. Thanks a bunch.
“Joey Gallo who could play a decent CF would be a pretty good player but I think even Gallo made significantly more contact than Jones does”
Did you mean Joey Callo?
Comparing Jones’ MiLB stats to Judges are pretty interesting:
ABs were close 1310/1313. Jones had higher HRs 66/57, BA .279/.276, Slug .505/471 and OPS .863/842. 96 stolen bases to 13.He also struck out more 469/380.
This season in 255 ABs he struck out 94 times but gets huge production anyway. .314/ .414/ 1.117. 29 Hrs and 57 RBIs in 68games FFS.
His 19 games and 80 ABs at AAA are cheat code numbers 13 HRs 25 RBI .400/.454/1.407
I’ve seen Spencer Jones graded with a hit tool as low as 30 and as high as 45. That’s a pretty wide difference— 30 is basically unplayable and 45 is very playable if you have lots of power, which Jones seems to have. Jones pulverizes the ball when he hits it, and in the minors he has made up for the strikeouts by consistently posting high BABIPs.
He’s not a blue chip prospect because clearly the strikeouts are going to hurt him at least somewhat, but I’d run him out there and see what he could do in MLB.
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