interesting about making theis an offer that was turned down understandable from the player perspective given that he would have just been mitch insurance
I’m definitely sympathetic that a professional athlete actually wants to play instead of just being on the bench
Yeah, I could see it at 38 and just getting that last paycheck and a semi-decent chance to raise a trophy, but Daniel is 31, which seems late prime. Plus he always struck me as someone who was irrationally confident.
In my email box today:
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade odds have been all over the place.
They were initially opened for 29 teams on April 29.
At that time, the Nets were 3/1 favorites to land Giannis, followed by Houston (4/1), OKC (5/1), Orland (7/1) and Golden State (8/1).
Since then, we’ve seen the Spurs, Raptors, Rockets and even Celtics listed as favorites.
Now, we have a sixth team favored…the New York Knickerbockers.
The Knicks opened with 12/1 odds on April 29, then moved to as high as 20/1 (June 2). Their odds have steadily improved (decreased) since then and now they are the favorites.
If you are able to use this information, please consider citing the source, SportsBetting.ag.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team
New York Knicks 1/1
San Antonio Spurs 2/1
Miami Heat 4/1
Brooklyn Nets 5/1
Houston Rockets 20/1
Toronto Raptors 20/1
Boston Celtics 22/1
Cleveland Cavaliers 22/1
Memphis Grizzlies 22/1
Atlanta Hawks 28/1
Dallas Mavericks 28/1
Golden State Warriors 33/1
Oklahoma City Thunder 33/1
Orlando Magic 33/1
Los Angeles Lakers 40/1
New Orleans Pelicans 40/1
Charlotte Hornets 50/1
Denver Nuggets 50/1
Detroit Pistons 50/1
Los Angeles Clippers 50/1
Portland Trail Blazers 50/1
Utah Jazz 50/1
Chicago Bulls 66/1
Indiana Pacers 66/1
Phoenix Suns 66/1
Sacramento Kings 66/1
Washington Wizards 75/1
Minnesota Timberwolves 80/1
Philadelphia 76ers 80/1
Fuck, is this going to be a “thing” again?
EVEN ODDS that he will be a Knick?! Fuck the heck!?
It’s a shame you can’t bet the opposite, like bet that the Knicks will not be his next team.
I mean, the Bucks did the best they could to pivot, but it’s not going to turn that team into a real contender. So Giannis will probably have to go somewhere if he wants another ring. But unlike Lillard, he has one ring. So why not just play out the string in Milwaukee and be a legend there?
Giannis will be a legend there no matter what he does.
Moussaka forever… Kat’s gonna look shiny this year. Now that ChatGPT has won it’s citizens united case I asked it what the Knicks under Mike Brown need to do next year to be a top 5 offense and top 10 defense…
The rotation (regular season baseline)
Starters (minutes/game)
Jalen Brunson — 34 (primary engine; more early “pistol”/zoom, fewer late‑clock isos)
Mikal Bridges — 34 (second‑side creator, wing cutter, roam on D—not pure POA every night)
Josh Hart — 32 (connector, DHO chaser, early‑offense boards → kickout 3s)
OG Anunoby — 35 (POA on star wings, short‑roll finisher, corner 3s)
Karl‑Anthony Towns — 34 (elbow hub, DHO factory, spacing 5 in most starters/closing looks)
Bench core
Mitchell Robinson — 20 (rim deterrence, glass, second unit anchor; close when defense dictates)
Jordan Clarkson — 20 (bench ignition; run him off Chicago/Zoom, not just spread PnR)
Miles “Deuce” McBride — 18 (guard POA, keep 2+ spacers next to him; low‑mistake secondary)
Guerschon Yabusele — 13 (second‑unit 4/5; short‑roll passing + pick‑and‑pop 3 threat)
Situational/spot
Tyler Kolek (matchup minutes vs drop—pace/organize second unit)
Pacôme Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti (developmental and depth big; foul insurance)
Staggering rules
Always keep one of Brunson or KAT on the floor; prefer two of Bridges/OG/Hart at all times to uphold defensive integrity. When Clarkson is out there, pair him with McBride + OG or Mitch.
Default closures (matchup dependent)
Offense‑first: Brunson – Bridges – Clarkson – OG – KAT.
Defense‑first / big rim threat: Brunson – Bridges – Hart – OG – Mitch.
Switchier / flying lineups: Brunson – Bridges – Hart – OG – KAT (at 5).
Why this fits Mike Brown’s deal
Offense: point‑five + paint touches, built off a handoff hub
Brown’s five staples: pace, spacing, “point‑five” decisions, paint touches, reversals. That maps perfectly to running KAT as a Sabonis‑style hub at the elbows and slot, spamming Chicago/Zoom (pin‑down into DHO), split actions and Spain PnR on second sides. KAT’s a natural passing big; treat him as the hub, not a static spacer.
In Sacramento, Brown weaponized dribble‑handoffs to historic volume/efficiency; New York should borrow that identity with KAT as the DHO node, Bridges/Hart as movers, Brunson as the shooting threat sprinting off handoffs into pull‑ups or re‑drags.
Defense: protect the paint, organized “shifts,” selective zone
Brown’s groups improved by drilling shifts (nail/low‑man responsibilities), protecting the paint first, and toggling a light 1‑2‑2 → 3‑2 zone as a change‑up. Knicks have the length/IQ (OG/Mikal/Hart) to run those concepts and still finish possessions.
Lessons from last year → tweaks this year
You were already top‑5 on offense (118.5 ORtg), but did it with a slower tempo and a lot of Brunson rescue possessions. Add more ball movement (Brown staple) without losing Brunson’s late‑clock magic. Target: maintain 118+ ORtg while nudging pace toward league average.
Defense was mid‑pack (14th DRTG). The non‑rim minutes with KAT at the 5 were swingy; when Mitch played, the paint looked different. Closing flexibility and better POA assignments are your path to top‑10 D.
Bridges usage/friction: Thibs had Mikal guard the point of attack most nights—lots of energy burned chasing jitterbug guards. Brown should re‑cast him as a gap/nail disruptor and wing stopper, splitting POA with Deuce (vs smalls) and OG (vs big guards/wings). Expect his offensive pop to return when he’s not living at the POA. (For reference: Bridges’ defensive rating last season sat at 118.0; he also saw dips in FTA and overall efficiency vs his Phoenix/Brooklyn peaks.)
Depth scoring: The Clarkson add matters. It gives you a bench self‑creator—something the team lacked in long stretches. Use him as movement scoring (Chicago, Iverson into DHO), not just spread PnR, so the second unit stays within Brown’s tempo/passing ethos.
The substitution rhythm (example game flow)
Q1 (12:00–6:00)
Starters (Brunson–Bridges–Hart–OG–KAT). Hit early pistol to get Brunson in rhythm; first three half‑court calls each include KAT elbow touch to establish hub.
Q1 (6:00–0:00)
KAT → Mitch (rim control); Hart → Clarkson (bench punch).
2:30: Brunson → McBride (POA defense), keep Mikal+OG to carry creation through movement.
Unit: McBride – Clarkson – Bridges – OG – Mitch.
Q2 start
Run Zoom for Clarkson; sprinkle Horns twist with OG as back‑screener.
At 9:00: Brunson back for McBride.
At 7:30: KAT for Mitch; Hart returns for Clarkson.
Halftime finish with starters.
Second half mirrors the same waves. Close based on opponent: default offense‑first, switch to defense‑first on any “we just can’t keep them out of the paint” night.
Role notes (how each guy eats)
Brunson: Fewer dead‑ball isos early; more DHO re‑entries and ghost actions with OG/Hart to force switches before he gets to work. Keep late‑clock iso as the bailout, not the base.
Bridges: Live in the weak‑side cutter/relocator world. Use Iverson → DHO and pin‑in calls to spring his catch‑and‑shoots. Defensively, play him at the nail and in passing lanes—where he’s elite—not every‑possession POA.
OG: True POA vs star wings. Offensively: short‑roll 4 with drift and corner replace built in; let him screen for Brunson/Bridges as the “get‑off‑me” switch‑creator. Re‑sign proved the team is all‑in on the two‑way fit—use it.
Hart: Run‑rebound‑spray. Brown will love him as the tempo valve. The one non‑negotiable: shoot the open 3; it matters to keep assist rate high and the lane clean. (You saw how spacing upticks changed games last spring.)
KAT: Think Sabonis‑East—elbow touches, handoffs, split cuts. Get him 6–8 DHO initiations per half, plus Spain PnR as a screener and as a popping 5. The more he’s the passer, the better your overall shot diet becomes.
Mitch: Anchor the bench defense; box‑and‑one/change‑up zone nights start with his ability to clean the glass. Close when you’re protecting a lead or facing heavy rim pressure.
Clarkson: Get him movement catches; immediately flow into re‑DHO if nothing’s clean (point‑five rule). Always pair with two plus defenders.
McBride: First choice at POA on small guards; green‑light the catch‑and‑shoot three so lineups with him don’t bog down.
Yabusele: Short‑roll outlet with second unit; if teams blitz Clarkson/Brunson, Guerschon’s the 4‑on‑3 decider. (The signing gives real second‑unit heft.)
What it takes to be Top‑5 offense / Top‑10 defense
Offense checkpoints (Brown identity)
Pass + pace without turnovers: Lift assist volume and “touch time” down (Brown’s point‑five mantra). Internal goals: 60%+ AST% and ~40 3PA per game through reversals & DHOs (a Brown hallmark in SAC).
Paint touches, then spray: Elbow and post touches to collapse, not to hold the ball. Track “paint touch → 3” conversion weekly.
DHO volume: Be top‑3 in DHO possessions with KAT as the hub; it’s how Brown’s Kings unlocked Fox/Huerter/Monk and posted elite ORtgs.
Keep last year’s firepower: You were 5th in ORtg; the goal is sustaining 118–120 while nudging pace from bottom‑5 toward middle.
Defense checkpoints (Brown principles)
Protect the paint first: Scheme around low rim attempts allowed; live with some above‑the‑break contests. Drill “shifts” (nail/low‑man) relentlessly.
Assignment sanity for Mikal: Let Deuce take jitterbug guards and OG take the Jays/Bookers; keep Mikal as the gap/roamer to spike deflections. (He struggled as the every‑night POA last year; don’t repeat that ask.)
Selective zone/press: 5–8 possessions a half of 1‑2‑2 into 3‑2 to break rhythm and buy rest for Brunson.
Glass & fouls: With Hart/Mitch/OG, target top‑5 DREB% and keep opponent FTr below league average; that’s your stable path to top‑10 D.
Quick data backdrop (for context)
2024‑25 Knicks: 5th in OffRtg (118.5), 14th in DefRtg, 26th in pace. The Mike Brown hire signals a shift toward more ball movement, pace and DHO‑centric offense.
Bridges’ 2024‑25: 118.0 DefRtg season; was often the primary POA under Thibs—expect Brown to re‑slot him.
Offseason depth: Clarkson for bench scoring; Yabusele as a short‑roll/pop 4/5; Kolek as a developmental table‑setter; Mitch healthy again—these are real rotation levers.
If you center KAT as the DHO hub, free Mikal from the nightly POA grind, deploy Deuce/OG to eat guard/wing flames, and let Clarkson juice the second unit within movement principles, you keep the top‑5 offense while giving yourself an honest shot at a top‑10 defense. That’s the Mike Brown way—more brains, same brawn. And yes, it’ll be a lot more fun to watch than “Brunson save us” for 48.
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all of that got obliterated right towards the beginning when it included hart starting instead of either mitch or deuce
Not sure what the take-away is from that, but one possibility is that it is now 1/1 that Clarence is, actually, Doogie…
Begley:
“Knicks are hiring T.J. Saint as an assistant coach on Mike Brown’s staff, league sources told SNY. Saint, head coach of the Pelicans G League team, will aid NYK on the offensive end. He’s viewed in NBA circles as a bright offensive mind; Squadron had G League’s top offense in 23-24 reg season. In addition to coaching with Pelicans, Saint has coached at the University of Georgia, with the Detroit Pistons, at Butler University and at Belmont University.”
2
Not sure what the take-away is from that, but one possibility is that it is now 1/1 that Clarence is, actually, Doogie…
Same odds as us getting Giannis, and about as likely IRL
As for the post, that was a lot of words to say what we all here were saying….which makes me wonder if Clarence just scraped our threads:
No Mikal POA, but OG (if a big wing) and Deuce if small
— doesn’t address if Deuce not in game? I’m starting to wonder about using Brunson, since he’ll be screened anyway
Use KAT as a hub (biggest failing of Thibs maybe)
Increase the pace, no Brunson iso-ball till endgame
Mix in some zone on D
Pretty obvious stuff, no? Not to Thibs, but still. If that was actually GPT, not sure whether to be impressed or to shrug.
Not going to pretend to know anything about TJ Saint but that is at least a nice sounding hire. He’s worked for Boy Wonder, SVG, and Tom Crean
2
Not going to pretend to know anything about TJ Saint but that is at least a nice sounding hire. He’s worked for Boy Wonder, SVG, and Tom Crean
Yeah, but it’s hard to be a Saint in the city
3
its not at all what weve been saying weve all been having hart come off of the bench and clarences ai-fed gobbledygook had hart starting which made everything that came after that useless not clarences fault other than posting it despite the huge gap not a big problem at all he was just sharing
1
I’ll second not knowing anything about Saint but liking the way he’s described as a smart offensive coach.
Can’t help but feel the Pelicans should’ve really kept Saint with New Orleans.
1
Giannis made the decision that he’s not moving this off season. NBA moved on. Fans and media should too.
Being a legend is importnat to him. The Antetekumpo family name in that town will by associated with greatness long after he stops playing. He saw first hand Dame’s jurney and the risk of moving.
For those of you who think its all about the rings & money, – Giannis also owns a ton of real estate and business interest right out side Milwakee stadium. Keeping that part of town buzzing is financialy beneficial to him more than a 2nd ring.
It’s tempting to move and no one would blame him if he forced a trade but resisting this urge is the ultimate boss move in the long run. He knows it.
3
Assuming Mitch strats at Center.
For POA defense I would still use Mikal to start games but definitively use Deuce and OG depending on size of the attacker.
Use Deuce against Young, Garland, Rozzier, Suggs, TJ, types and use OG vs Cade, LaMelo, Maxey, IQ and Giddey, – especially during the last 8-9 minutes of the game.
At least try different things during Oct – february stretch and see what works best. Problem with Thibs was lack of experimentation.
I think this season, the team should priotize the NBA Cup and Atlantic Division. Most teams start raising less significant banners before they hoist the Larry O’Brian trophy.
Edwards ran a fan poll in The Athletic today. Some of the questions are weirdly phrased. The one I felt strongest about was the starting lineup one, where I chose the five-out group with Deuce in place of Hart, and KAT still at center, rather than the double-big lineup. I really hope Brown tries that group a lot, even if Mitch winds up as the starter.
Personally, I don’t think his legacy would suffer to any meaningful degree if he decided to ring-chase somewhere else. Unlike Dame, he already brought his city their first championship since Lee Alcindor. I think he has less to worry about re: legacy in MIL and more to worry about regarding his legacy of not winning multiple championships, which hurts standing in the pantheon. Unless he does it in an especially ugly way, he will have a statue outside the stadium one day.
My survey answers with one-sentence explanations as we await the results of the Ben Simmons Sweepstakes:
1. Lose in the NBA Finals
-Losing to the Cavs (or whoever else) is somewhere on the par-to-disappointing spectrum, IMO, so being “successful” requires more than that, but I also can’t say a loss to OKC (or whoever else) would mean a Finals run wasn’t successful
2. Non-zero chance
-The Cavs just won 64 games and are returning almost all major contributors, so whatever their playoff vulnerabilities might be they should still probably be the favorites
3. Yes, he should’ve been fired
-I’ll always respect him immensely but our 3PAr was completely inexcusable, among other issues
4. Yes, he will be an upgrade at head coach
-Brown’s recent work is something of an antidote to the reasons I thought Thibs should be fired–high 3PAr + AST% offenses, deep rotations, and defensive experimentation
5. No, it was uninspiring
-I’m happy with the result, but all the leaks regarding Kidd et al. were an embarrassing distraction
6. No, the Knicks gave up too many assets
-Mikal Bridges did not come anywhere close to justifying the opportunity cost in year 1
7. Yes, the trade has been a success so far
-I continue to think this team is better off with KAT than Randle + DDV for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is KAT being much more viable at center than Randle
8. Brunson-McBride-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns
-I remain surprisingly not-all-that-worked-up about the opening night starting lineup because there are fine arguments for all realistic options, but this is what I’d choose with the caveat that we should be ready to pivot and adjust
9. 3 seasons
-This is a stupid question if taken literally because I’ve never seen a Knicks championship in my life so the lack of one definitionally cannot make me “panic,” but I interpreted it as asking about my estimation of our window to win one
10. I’m still not sure
-Another poorly worded question–no one can be sure until it happens–but FWIW I was closer to “yes” than “no”
The one I felt strongest about was the starting lineup one, where I chose the five-out group with Deuce in place of Hart, and KAT still at center, rather than the double-big lineup.
I like going five out for 8-15 minutes a game too but I’m just not that confident starting Deuce after a mediocre shooting season he just had and his lack of size is the optimal move.
Think Yabu may be a better fit with the starters than Deuce is. TBD, I guess but no way of knowing unless Brown experiments.
One of the biggest values that may have been lost during Thibs era is that he never started Quickly next Brunson.
It feels weird to say it but I kinda do think this is a championship-or-bust season.
I’m very confident we’ll be the #1 seed. The ebb and tide of franchise vibes is in our favor this year. I think we’ll get the same new-coach bounce the Cavs got last year, and I think they will care a lot less about the regular season after last year. Darius Garland’s toe injury could be a big deal in the beginning.
One year later, I would rather have not made the KAT trade. I’d rather have Julius’ ballhandling and Donte’s quick trigger, not to mention the draft pick that could have yielded a rotation player. Plus $44M for Randle & Donte vs $54M for KAT this year and $57M next year is a big deal, as well. I’m not dug in very deeply on this, though. It’s possible after seeing KAT in a different offense I will change my mind.
The starting lineup I’d like to eventually see for the Knicks is Brunson, Bridges, OG, Yabu, Towns.
I think two more seasons of this core (this year plus next) is enough and if it doesn’t win I would sell off KAT, OG, Bridges, and try to rebuild around Brunson a smarter way. I wouldn’t be surprised if we make a Josh Hart trade sooner rather than later. This year actually seems like the perfect time to sell high.
Agree many of the questions were weirdly worded. Noble, my answers:
1. Lose in the NBA Finals
Weirdly worded. I went with “Win ECF” since then they’re in the finals, who cares if they win or lose (well I do, but either way it’s a successful season…).
2. Non-zero chance
I went with ‘cautiously optimistic’ because that’s what I am.
3. Yes, he should’ve been fired
With you exactly on this one.
4. Yes, he will be an upgrade at head coach
Went with ‘Not sure yet’ because I’m more cautious than optimistic.
5. No, it was uninspiring
The same (coaching search)
6. No, the Knicks gave up too many assets
‘I’m still not sure’ because it’s only been Year 1 (for Mikal).
7. Yes, the trade has been a success so far
Ditto (for KAT)
8. Brunson-McBride-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns
Went with Mitch instead of Deuce because I want to win the opening tip and I want Mitch to play before we’re in the penalty.
9. 3 seasons
I went with 2 years, but 3 is good, too… (window for a championship, as Noble says ‘panic’ is a stupid framing…)
10. I’m still not sure
I went with ‘yes’ (Jalen being the best player on a championship team…)
I’m in favor of starting the double big lineup. It’s not that I want Mitch to play starter minutes, but starting him and having him play backup minutes anyway means opponents can’t do hack a Mitch because it will just get the Knicks into the bonus sooner.
2
1. Lose in the NBA Finals
Did he really put ‘Win ECF’ and ‘Lose Finals’ as two separate options for a goal this season?
2. Non-zero chance we have #1 seed
Cavs should be better than us and our health should be worse.
3. Yes, Thibs should’ve been fired
Thibs was the right fit for possession ball, but we’re fielding a bunch of subpar rebounders. The starting lineup fiasco cinches it.
4. Unsure if coach will be upgrade
Brown had one fantastic year with the Kings, but has disappointed since. His league-leading offense may have been a hot shooting fluke. On the other hand, a more structured offense with designed looks for Mikal and focused efforts to involve KAT more works in theory.
5. I liked the coaching search because they did their due diligence I’m indifferent, but that’s not an option.
There’s no reason not to check on other head coaches. Embarrassing, but not sure it hurts the actual team.
6. No, the Knicks gave up too many assets
We could’ve landed a star. Mikal is not a star, even if he’s theoretically good in a situation that doesn’t exist on our team.
7. Unsure if KAT trade a success.
Still not sure that a KAT-Brunson defensive tandem is workable. Playing more next to Mitch should help, but significantly devalues KAT’s offense
8. Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns-Mitch
Mitch is the best player. The default should be starting your best players. I’m not sold on the Deuce lineup’s rebounding. On the flip side, I want to play 5-out and the Mitch lineup is tortoises wading in molasses slow.
9. 2 seasons before championship panic
Idk how to answer as I probably won’t panic. If we don’t win this year, we should probably make a trade. If we don’t win in 2 years, we should start blowing it up to make sure we can get a lot of picks before the decline phase hits hard.
10. I’m still not sure Brunson can be best player on championship team
His defense is bad bad. He can almost certainly be the best offensive player on a championship team.
I don’t know if Brown is a long term upgrade, but for one season I’m sure he is
Mitch is the best player. The default should be starting your best players. I’m not sold on the Deuce lineup’s rebounding. On the flip side, I want to play 5-out and the Mitch lineup is tortoises wading in molasses slow.
These were my competing impulses as well. Ultimately I think you can still play Mitch as much as he can feasibly play without starting him, so I lean towards the true five-out lineup.
The most important thing to me though is that whatever Brown picks, he devises schemes that play to its strengths and is willing to pivot if it’s not one of the best starting lineups in the league. That should be the standard for a top-heavy contender, and we have to be willing to weaponize the optionality we suddenly have on the bench.
How far do the Knicks have to go next season for you to consider it a successful season?
Win the NBA championship. This is possibly our last, best chance. Anything less will feel like a major disappointment to me.
How confident are you that the Knicks will be the No. 1 seed in the East next year?
Cautiously optimistic. If we’re not close to as good as the Cavs, then we ain’t winning a championship anyway. I think we are at least on the same level.
“Did you agree with the firing of Tom Thibodeau?”
Yes, he should have been fired. He had a good run but it was time to move on.
Did you like the hiring of Mike Brown?
I’m not sure yet. But I would probably say that I didn’t dislike it compared to some other options.
“Did you like the process the front office took in firing and hiring a new head coach?”
Yes, they did their due diligence. They shopped around and after a reasonably thorough process, they hired who they thought was the best guy for the job, and who very well may have been. I don’t get why anyone would call any part of it, including the Kidd stuff, “an embarrassing distraction” unless one feels that media-driven narratives are meaningful. They asked permission to talk to Kidd and other guys who were under contract with other organizations, and were denied that permission. Then they moved on. Seemed like a nothingburger to me.
“A year later, do you like the trade for Mikal Bridges?”
No, they gave up too many assets. I felt that way at the time because I felt that Leon pulled a Mills and bid against himself. Maybe bonafide all-star level play (like his first few months in Brooklyn) would have changed my mind, but that didn’t happen. And again, it wasn’t just the price, it was that there weren’t any unprotected picks left after the trade. Still hoping Mikal plays better and gets closer to validating at least most of the cost.
A year later, do you like the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns?
I’m still not sure. To review, I don’t like KAT as a sidekick for Brunson, and don’t like him on his contract. I don’t think he made us any better than we would have been had the trade not been made. But I do think he had more trade value than Randle, DDV and the pick did at the time of the trade. That gap has narrowed because of Randle’s contract and the unexpected conveyance of the pick.
“What should be the starting lineup next season?”
Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns-Robinson. The East is big!. But in truth, I don’t care that much.
“How many seasons will you give this iteration Knicks to win a championship before you panic?”
Panic? More like think the window is likely closed. That would be one year. But “this iteration” is not a useful term, since there will almost certainly be another iteration next year. In other words, I think there will be at least 3 and probably 4 changes to our 9-man stock rotation next year no matter what, and would be surprised if both of Mitch and Hart are still here by trade deadline 2027. KAT, Mikal, or OG could be moved as well if Giannis frees up.
“Do you still have faith that Jalen Brunson can be the best player on a championship team?”
I’m still not sure. But that’s more because the definition of “best player” is murky. I definitely think that Brunson can be the most important player because of his leadership and clutchness.
EVEN ODDS that he will be a Knick?! Fuck the heck!?
I’m not a CBA expert and have zero interest in becoming one since the effort required would be significant, add nothing to what I do and all the rules change every few years. That said, I read think the Knicks did the deal with Mikal in a way that will allow them to trade to use Bridges as part of a trade for Giannis. So start with Bridges and figure out what else it would take for them to have any chance if he decided he WANTED NY.
How far do the Knicks have to go next season for you to consider it a successful season?
Yabu being a solid defender and adding more wins than I currently having him penciled in for and some solid development from the young players. Without that, I’m not expecting much unless there is another move before the deadline. This is not the year without some upside surprises.
How confident are you that the Knicks will be the No. 1 seed in the East next year?
I’m not. Cavs are probably still better.
“Did you agree with the firing of Tom Thibodeau?”
Yes. We needed a change, but I don’t think we made the right one.
Did you like the hiring of Mike Brown?
I don’t hate it, but he was not my top choice.
Did you like the process the front office took in firing and hiring a new head coach?
No. They embarrased themselves around the league.
“A year later, do you like the trade for Mikal Bridges?”
They overpaid, but they got a two way player that’s good enough to be a starter and important part of a championship team. I’m more suspect of the Towns trade because the fit with Brunson is a much bigger issue/ question mark than the price we paid for Bridges
A year later, do you like the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns?
I still like the value, but the fit with Brunson was a question mark coming into the season and became more of a question mark as the season went on and the defense was not good enough.
“What should be the starting lineup next season?”
Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns and either Hart/Mitch/Hart. 😉
It’s still not clear. We need more evidence. That was one of my biggest complaints about Thibs. He didn’t figure that out in the regular season last year.
“How many seasons will you give this iteration Knicks to win a championship before you panic?”
I think we have about 3 years, 4 tops, but I expect more changes.
“Do you still have faith that Jalen Brunson can be the best player on a championship team?”
I think he can be a #1 option, but he has to dribble less, move the ball more and try to find ways to be less of a liability on defense or it will be tough to find the right combinations.
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Begley:
“Knicks are hiring T.J. Saint as an assistant coach on Mike Brown’s staff, league sources told SNY. Saint, head coach of the Pelicans G League team, will aid NYK on the offensive end. He’s viewed in NBA circles as a bright offensive mind; Squadron had G League’s top offense in 23-24 reg season. In addition to coaching with Pelicans, Saint has coached at the University of Georgia, with the Detroit Pistons, at Butler University and at Belmont University.”
This is the kind of move I wanted across the coaching staff.
I don’t want recycled coachs and assistants. I don’t know anything about this guy, but he’s young (35) has a reputation for having a good mind for offense and has had some success at a lower level. IMO, we should have gambled a little more like this hoping to strike gold.
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will warren dealing bellinger belting
will warren dealing bellinger belting
Thank God the Twinkies are in town, the Yankees version of the Washington Generals.
Yankees are 130-53 vs the Twinkies in the 21st Century.
sitting at the “y” and just realized, I’m not even hunting milfs anymore, scheming on granny panties these days…
man, life is just so full of twists and turns…
yuck doesnt even sound in any way appealing good luck doe
later on I’m gonna probably take a shit, I’m just gonna assume I’m good to go without your explicit approval, acknowledgement, and/or existence
😛
40 replies on “Knicks Morning News (2025.08.11)”
interesting about making theis an offer that was turned down understandable from the player perspective given that he would have just been mitch insurance
I’m definitely sympathetic that a professional athlete actually wants to play instead of just being on the bench
Yeah, I could see it at 38 and just getting that last paycheck and a semi-decent chance to raise a trophy, but Daniel is 31, which seems late prime. Plus he always struck me as someone who was irrationally confident.
In my email box today:
The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade odds have been all over the place.
They were initially opened for 29 teams on April 29.
At that time, the Nets were 3/1 favorites to land Giannis, followed by Houston (4/1), OKC (5/1), Orland (7/1) and Golden State (8/1).
Since then, we’ve seen the Spurs, Raptors, Rockets and even Celtics listed as favorites.
Now, we have a sixth team favored…the New York Knickerbockers.
The Knicks opened with 12/1 odds on April 29, then moved to as high as 20/1 (June 2). Their odds have steadily improved (decreased) since then and now they are the favorites.
If you are able to use this information, please consider citing the source, SportsBetting.ag.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Next Team
New York Knicks 1/1
San Antonio Spurs 2/1
Miami Heat 4/1
Brooklyn Nets 5/1
Houston Rockets 20/1
Toronto Raptors 20/1
Boston Celtics 22/1
Cleveland Cavaliers 22/1
Memphis Grizzlies 22/1
Atlanta Hawks 28/1
Dallas Mavericks 28/1
Golden State Warriors 33/1
Oklahoma City Thunder 33/1
Orlando Magic 33/1
Los Angeles Lakers 40/1
New Orleans Pelicans 40/1
Charlotte Hornets 50/1
Denver Nuggets 50/1
Detroit Pistons 50/1
Los Angeles Clippers 50/1
Portland Trail Blazers 50/1
Utah Jazz 50/1
Chicago Bulls 66/1
Indiana Pacers 66/1
Phoenix Suns 66/1
Sacramento Kings 66/1
Washington Wizards 75/1
Minnesota Timberwolves 80/1
Philadelphia 76ers 80/1
Fuck, is this going to be a “thing” again?
EVEN ODDS that he will be a Knick?! Fuck the heck!?
It’s a shame you can’t bet the opposite, like bet that the Knicks will not be his next team.
I mean, the Bucks did the best they could to pivot, but it’s not going to turn that team into a real contender. So Giannis will probably have to go somewhere if he wants another ring. But unlike Lillard, he has one ring. So why not just play out the string in Milwaukee and be a legend there?
Giannis will be a legend there no matter what he does.
Moussaka forever… Kat’s gonna look shiny this year. Now that ChatGPT has won it’s citizens united case I asked it what the Knicks under Mike Brown need to do next year to be a top 5 offense and top 10 defense…
The rotation (regular season baseline)
Starters (minutes/game)
Jalen Brunson — 34 (primary engine; more early “pistol”/zoom, fewer late‑clock isos)
Mikal Bridges — 34 (second‑side creator, wing cutter, roam on D—not pure POA every night)
Josh Hart — 32 (connector, DHO chaser, early‑offense boards → kickout 3s)
OG Anunoby — 35 (POA on star wings, short‑roll finisher, corner 3s)
Karl‑Anthony Towns — 34 (elbow hub, DHO factory, spacing 5 in most starters/closing looks)
Bench core
Mitchell Robinson — 20 (rim deterrence, glass, second unit anchor; close when defense dictates)
Jordan Clarkson — 20 (bench ignition; run him off Chicago/Zoom, not just spread PnR)
Miles “Deuce” McBride — 18 (guard POA, keep 2+ spacers next to him; low‑mistake secondary)
Guerschon Yabusele — 13 (second‑unit 4/5; short‑roll passing + pick‑and‑pop 3 threat)
Situational/spot
Tyler Kolek (matchup minutes vs drop—pace/organize second unit)
Pacôme Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti (developmental and depth big; foul insurance)
Staggering rules
Always keep one of Brunson or KAT on the floor; prefer two of Bridges/OG/Hart at all times to uphold defensive integrity. When Clarkson is out there, pair him with McBride + OG or Mitch.
Default closures (matchup dependent)
Offense‑first: Brunson – Bridges – Clarkson – OG – KAT.
Defense‑first / big rim threat: Brunson – Bridges – Hart – OG – Mitch.
Switchier / flying lineups: Brunson – Bridges – Hart – OG – KAT (at 5).
Why this fits Mike Brown’s deal
Offense: point‑five + paint touches, built off a handoff hub
Brown’s five staples: pace, spacing, “point‑five” decisions, paint touches, reversals. That maps perfectly to running KAT as a Sabonis‑style hub at the elbows and slot, spamming Chicago/Zoom (pin‑down into DHO), split actions and Spain PnR on second sides. KAT’s a natural passing big; treat him as the hub, not a static spacer.
In Sacramento, Brown weaponized dribble‑handoffs to historic volume/efficiency; New York should borrow that identity with KAT as the DHO node, Bridges/Hart as movers, Brunson as the shooting threat sprinting off handoffs into pull‑ups or re‑drags.
Defense: protect the paint, organized “shifts,” selective zone
Brown’s groups improved by drilling shifts (nail/low‑man responsibilities), protecting the paint first, and toggling a light 1‑2‑2 → 3‑2 zone as a change‑up. Knicks have the length/IQ (OG/Mikal/Hart) to run those concepts and still finish possessions.
Lessons from last year → tweaks this year
You were already top‑5 on offense (118.5 ORtg), but did it with a slower tempo and a lot of Brunson rescue possessions. Add more ball movement (Brown staple) without losing Brunson’s late‑clock magic. Target: maintain 118+ ORtg while nudging pace toward league average.
Defense was mid‑pack (14th DRTG). The non‑rim minutes with KAT at the 5 were swingy; when Mitch played, the paint looked different. Closing flexibility and better POA assignments are your path to top‑10 D.
Bridges usage/friction: Thibs had Mikal guard the point of attack most nights—lots of energy burned chasing jitterbug guards. Brown should re‑cast him as a gap/nail disruptor and wing stopper, splitting POA with Deuce (vs smalls) and OG (vs big guards/wings). Expect his offensive pop to return when he’s not living at the POA. (For reference: Bridges’ defensive rating last season sat at 118.0; he also saw dips in FTA and overall efficiency vs his Phoenix/Brooklyn peaks.)
Depth scoring: The Clarkson add matters. It gives you a bench self‑creator—something the team lacked in long stretches. Use him as movement scoring (Chicago, Iverson into DHO), not just spread PnR, so the second unit stays within Brown’s tempo/passing ethos.
The substitution rhythm (example game flow)
Q1 (12:00–6:00)
Starters (Brunson–Bridges–Hart–OG–KAT). Hit early pistol to get Brunson in rhythm; first three half‑court calls each include KAT elbow touch to establish hub.
Q1 (6:00–0:00)
KAT → Mitch (rim control); Hart → Clarkson (bench punch).
2:30: Brunson → McBride (POA defense), keep Mikal+OG to carry creation through movement.
Unit: McBride – Clarkson – Bridges – OG – Mitch.
Q2 start
Run Zoom for Clarkson; sprinkle Horns twist with OG as back‑screener.
At 9:00: Brunson back for McBride.
At 7:30: KAT for Mitch; Hart returns for Clarkson.
Halftime finish with starters.
Second half mirrors the same waves. Close based on opponent: default offense‑first, switch to defense‑first on any “we just can’t keep them out of the paint” night.
Role notes (how each guy eats)
Brunson: Fewer dead‑ball isos early; more DHO re‑entries and ghost actions with OG/Hart to force switches before he gets to work. Keep late‑clock iso as the bailout, not the base.
Bridges: Live in the weak‑side cutter/relocator world. Use Iverson → DHO and pin‑in calls to spring his catch‑and‑shoots. Defensively, play him at the nail and in passing lanes—where he’s elite—not every‑possession POA.
OG: True POA vs star wings. Offensively: short‑roll 4 with drift and corner replace built in; let him screen for Brunson/Bridges as the “get‑off‑me” switch‑creator. Re‑sign proved the team is all‑in on the two‑way fit—use it.
Hart: Run‑rebound‑spray. Brown will love him as the tempo valve. The one non‑negotiable: shoot the open 3; it matters to keep assist rate high and the lane clean. (You saw how spacing upticks changed games last spring.)
KAT: Think Sabonis‑East—elbow touches, handoffs, split cuts. Get him 6–8 DHO initiations per half, plus Spain PnR as a screener and as a popping 5. The more he’s the passer, the better your overall shot diet becomes.
Mitch: Anchor the bench defense; box‑and‑one/change‑up zone nights start with his ability to clean the glass. Close when you’re protecting a lead or facing heavy rim pressure.
Clarkson: Get him movement catches; immediately flow into re‑DHO if nothing’s clean (point‑five rule). Always pair with two plus defenders.
McBride: First choice at POA on small guards; green‑light the catch‑and‑shoot three so lineups with him don’t bog down.
Yabusele: Short‑roll outlet with second unit; if teams blitz Clarkson/Brunson, Guerschon’s the 4‑on‑3 decider. (The signing gives real second‑unit heft.)
What it takes to be Top‑5 offense / Top‑10 defense
Offense checkpoints (Brown identity)
Pass + pace without turnovers: Lift assist volume and “touch time” down (Brown’s point‑five mantra). Internal goals: 60%+ AST% and ~40 3PA per game through reversals & DHOs (a Brown hallmark in SAC).
Paint touches, then spray: Elbow and post touches to collapse, not to hold the ball. Track “paint touch → 3” conversion weekly.
DHO volume: Be top‑3 in DHO possessions with KAT as the hub; it’s how Brown’s Kings unlocked Fox/Huerter/Monk and posted elite ORtgs.
Keep last year’s firepower: You were 5th in ORtg; the goal is sustaining 118–120 while nudging pace from bottom‑5 toward middle.
Defense checkpoints (Brown principles)
Protect the paint first: Scheme around low rim attempts allowed; live with some above‑the‑break contests. Drill “shifts” (nail/low‑man) relentlessly.
Assignment sanity for Mikal: Let Deuce take jitterbug guards and OG take the Jays/Bookers; keep Mikal as the gap/roamer to spike deflections. (He struggled as the every‑night POA last year; don’t repeat that ask.)
Selective zone/press: 5–8 possessions a half of 1‑2‑2 into 3‑2 to break rhythm and buy rest for Brunson.
Glass & fouls: With Hart/Mitch/OG, target top‑5 DREB% and keep opponent FTr below league average; that’s your stable path to top‑10 D.
Quick data backdrop (for context)
2024‑25 Knicks: 5th in OffRtg (118.5), 14th in DefRtg, 26th in pace. The Mike Brown hire signals a shift toward more ball movement, pace and DHO‑centric offense.
Bridges’ 2024‑25: 118.0 DefRtg season; was often the primary POA under Thibs—expect Brown to re‑slot him.
Offseason depth: Clarkson for bench scoring; Yabusele as a short‑roll/pop 4/5; Kolek as a developmental table‑setter; Mitch healthy again—these are real rotation levers.
If you center KAT as the DHO hub, free Mikal from the nightly POA grind, deploy Deuce/OG to eat guard/wing flames, and let Clarkson juice the second unit within movement principles, you keep the top‑5 offense while giving yourself an honest shot at a top‑10 defense. That’s the Mike Brown way—more brains, same brawn. And yes, it’ll be a lot more fun to watch than “Brunson save us” for 48.
all of that got obliterated right towards the beginning when it included hart starting instead of either mitch or deuce
Not sure what the take-away is from that, but one possibility is that it is now 1/1 that Clarence is, actually, Doogie…
Begley:
“Knicks are hiring T.J. Saint as an assistant coach on Mike Brown’s staff, league sources told SNY. Saint, head coach of the Pelicans G League team, will aid NYK on the offensive end. He’s viewed in NBA circles as a bright offensive mind; Squadron had G League’s top offense in 23-24 reg season. In addition to coaching with Pelicans, Saint has coached at the University of Georgia, with the Detroit Pistons, at Butler University and at Belmont University.”
Same odds as us getting Giannis, and about as likely IRL
As for the post, that was a lot of words to say what we all here were saying….which makes me wonder if Clarence just scraped our threads:
No Mikal POA, but OG (if a big wing) and Deuce if small
— doesn’t address if Deuce not in game? I’m starting to wonder about using Brunson, since he’ll be screened anyway
Use KAT as a hub (biggest failing of Thibs maybe)
Increase the pace, no Brunson iso-ball till endgame
Mix in some zone on D
Pretty obvious stuff, no? Not to Thibs, but still. If that was actually GPT, not sure whether to be impressed or to shrug.
Not going to pretend to know anything about TJ Saint but that is at least a nice sounding hire. He’s worked for Boy Wonder, SVG, and Tom Crean
Yeah, but it’s hard to be a Saint in the city
its not at all what weve been saying weve all been having hart come off of the bench and clarences ai-fed gobbledygook had hart starting which made everything that came after that useless not clarences fault other than posting it despite the huge gap not a big problem at all he was just sharing
I’ll second not knowing anything about Saint but liking the way he’s described as a smart offensive coach.
Can’t help but feel the Pelicans should’ve really kept Saint with New Orleans.
Giannis made the decision that he’s not moving this off season. NBA moved on. Fans and media should too.
Being a legend is importnat to him. The Antetekumpo family name in that town will by associated with greatness long after he stops playing. He saw first hand Dame’s jurney and the risk of moving.
For those of you who think its all about the rings & money, – Giannis also owns a ton of real estate and business interest right out side Milwakee stadium. Keeping that part of town buzzing is financialy beneficial to him more than a 2nd ring.
It’s tempting to move and no one would blame him if he forced a trade but resisting this urge is the ultimate boss move in the long run. He knows it.
Assuming Mitch strats at Center.
For POA defense I would still use Mikal to start games but definitively use Deuce and OG depending on size of the attacker.
Use Deuce against Young, Garland, Rozzier, Suggs, TJ, types and use OG vs Cade, LaMelo, Maxey, IQ and Giddey, – especially during the last 8-9 minutes of the game.
At least try different things during Oct – february stretch and see what works best. Problem with Thibs was lack of experimentation.
I think this season, the team should priotize the NBA Cup and Atlantic Division. Most teams start raising less significant banners before they hoist the Larry O’Brian trophy.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6538240/2025/08/11/knicks-fan-survey-championship/
Edwards ran a fan poll in The Athletic today. Some of the questions are weirdly phrased. The one I felt strongest about was the starting lineup one, where I chose the five-out group with Deuce in place of Hart, and KAT still at center, rather than the double-big lineup. I really hope Brown tries that group a lot, even if Mitch winds up as the starter.
Personally, I don’t think his legacy would suffer to any meaningful degree if he decided to ring-chase somewhere else. Unlike Dame, he already brought his city their first championship since Lee Alcindor. I think he has less to worry about re: legacy in MIL and more to worry about regarding his legacy of not winning multiple championships, which hurts standing in the pantheon. Unless he does it in an especially ugly way, he will have a statue outside the stadium one day.
My survey answers with one-sentence explanations as we await the results of the Ben Simmons Sweepstakes:
1. Lose in the NBA Finals
-Losing to the Cavs (or whoever else) is somewhere on the par-to-disappointing spectrum, IMO, so being “successful” requires more than that, but I also can’t say a loss to OKC (or whoever else) would mean a Finals run wasn’t successful
2. Non-zero chance
-The Cavs just won 64 games and are returning almost all major contributors, so whatever their playoff vulnerabilities might be they should still probably be the favorites
3. Yes, he should’ve been fired
-I’ll always respect him immensely but our 3PAr was completely inexcusable, among other issues
4. Yes, he will be an upgrade at head coach
-Brown’s recent work is something of an antidote to the reasons I thought Thibs should be fired–high 3PAr + AST% offenses, deep rotations, and defensive experimentation
5. No, it was uninspiring
-I’m happy with the result, but all the leaks regarding Kidd et al. were an embarrassing distraction
6. No, the Knicks gave up too many assets
-Mikal Bridges did not come anywhere close to justifying the opportunity cost in year 1
7. Yes, the trade has been a success so far
-I continue to think this team is better off with KAT than Randle + DDV for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is KAT being much more viable at center than Randle
8. Brunson-McBride-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns
-I remain surprisingly not-all-that-worked-up about the opening night starting lineup because there are fine arguments for all realistic options, but this is what I’d choose with the caveat that we should be ready to pivot and adjust
9. 3 seasons
-This is a stupid question if taken literally because I’ve never seen a Knicks championship in my life so the lack of one definitionally cannot make me “panic,” but I interpreted it as asking about my estimation of our window to win one
10. I’m still not sure
-Another poorly worded question–no one can be sure until it happens–but FWIW I was closer to “yes” than “no”
I like going five out for 8-15 minutes a game too but I’m just not that confident starting Deuce after a mediocre shooting season he just had and his lack of size is the optimal move.
Think Yabu may be a better fit with the starters than Deuce is. TBD, I guess but no way of knowing unless Brown experiments.
One of the biggest values that may have been lost during Thibs era is that he never started Quickly next Brunson.
It feels weird to say it but I kinda do think this is a championship-or-bust season.
I’m very confident we’ll be the #1 seed. The ebb and tide of franchise vibes is in our favor this year. I think we’ll get the same new-coach bounce the Cavs got last year, and I think they will care a lot less about the regular season after last year. Darius Garland’s toe injury could be a big deal in the beginning.
One year later, I would rather have not made the KAT trade. I’d rather have Julius’ ballhandling and Donte’s quick trigger, not to mention the draft pick that could have yielded a rotation player. Plus $44M for Randle & Donte vs $54M for KAT this year and $57M next year is a big deal, as well. I’m not dug in very deeply on this, though. It’s possible after seeing KAT in a different offense I will change my mind.
The starting lineup I’d like to eventually see for the Knicks is Brunson, Bridges, OG, Yabu, Towns.
I think two more seasons of this core (this year plus next) is enough and if it doesn’t win I would sell off KAT, OG, Bridges, and try to rebuild around Brunson a smarter way. I wouldn’t be surprised if we make a Josh Hart trade sooner rather than later. This year actually seems like the perfect time to sell high.
Agree many of the questions were weirdly worded. Noble, my answers:
1. Lose in the NBA Finals
Weirdly worded. I went with “Win ECF” since then they’re in the finals, who cares if they win or lose (well I do, but either way it’s a successful season…).
2. Non-zero chance
I went with ‘cautiously optimistic’ because that’s what I am.
3. Yes, he should’ve been fired
With you exactly on this one.
4. Yes, he will be an upgrade at head coach
Went with ‘Not sure yet’ because I’m more cautious than optimistic.
5. No, it was uninspiring
The same (coaching search)
6. No, the Knicks gave up too many assets
‘I’m still not sure’ because it’s only been Year 1 (for Mikal).
7. Yes, the trade has been a success so far
Ditto (for KAT)
8. Brunson-McBride-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns
Went with Mitch instead of Deuce because I want to win the opening tip and I want Mitch to play before we’re in the penalty.
9. 3 seasons
I went with 2 years, but 3 is good, too… (window for a championship, as Noble says ‘panic’ is a stupid framing…)
10. I’m still not sure
I went with ‘yes’ (Jalen being the best player on a championship team…)
I’m in favor of starting the double big lineup. It’s not that I want Mitch to play starter minutes, but starting him and having him play backup minutes anyway means opponents can’t do hack a Mitch because it will just get the Knicks into the bonus sooner.
1. Lose in the NBA Finals
Did he really put ‘Win ECF’ and ‘Lose Finals’ as two separate options for a goal this season?
2. Non-zero chance we have #1 seed
Cavs should be better than us and our health should be worse.
3. Yes, Thibs should’ve been fired
Thibs was the right fit for possession ball, but we’re fielding a bunch of subpar rebounders. The starting lineup fiasco cinches it.
4. Unsure if coach will be upgrade
Brown had one fantastic year with the Kings, but has disappointed since. His league-leading offense may have been a hot shooting fluke. On the other hand, a more structured offense with designed looks for Mikal and focused efforts to involve KAT more works in theory.
5. I liked the coaching search because they did their due diligence I’m indifferent, but that’s not an option.
There’s no reason not to check on other head coaches. Embarrassing, but not sure it hurts the actual team.
6. No, the Knicks gave up too many assets
We could’ve landed a star. Mikal is not a star, even if he’s theoretically good in a situation that doesn’t exist on our team.
7. Unsure if KAT trade a success.
Still not sure that a KAT-Brunson defensive tandem is workable. Playing more next to Mitch should help, but significantly devalues KAT’s offense
8. Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns-Mitch
Mitch is the best player. The default should be starting your best players. I’m not sold on the Deuce lineup’s rebounding. On the flip side, I want to play 5-out and the Mitch lineup is tortoises wading in molasses slow.
9. 2 seasons before championship panic
Idk how to answer as I probably won’t panic. If we don’t win this year, we should probably make a trade. If we don’t win in 2 years, we should start blowing it up to make sure we can get a lot of picks before the decline phase hits hard.
10. I’m still not sure Brunson can be best player on championship team
His defense is bad bad. He can almost certainly be the best offensive player on a championship team.
I don’t know if Brown is a long term upgrade, but for one season I’m sure he is
These were my competing impulses as well. Ultimately I think you can still play Mitch as much as he can feasibly play without starting him, so I lean towards the true five-out lineup.
The most important thing to me though is that whatever Brown picks, he devises schemes that play to its strengths and is willing to pivot if it’s not one of the best starting lineups in the league. That should be the standard for a top-heavy contender, and we have to be willing to weaponize the optionality we suddenly have on the bench.
How far do the Knicks have to go next season for you to consider it a successful season?
Win the NBA championship. This is possibly our last, best chance. Anything less will feel like a major disappointment to me.
How confident are you that the Knicks will be the No. 1 seed in the East next year?
Cautiously optimistic. If we’re not close to as good as the Cavs, then we ain’t winning a championship anyway. I think we are at least on the same level.
“Did you agree with the firing of Tom Thibodeau?”
Yes, he should have been fired. He had a good run but it was time to move on.
Did you like the hiring of Mike Brown?
I’m not sure yet. But I would probably say that I didn’t dislike it compared to some other options.
“Did you like the process the front office took in firing and hiring a new head coach?”
Yes, they did their due diligence. They shopped around and after a reasonably thorough process, they hired who they thought was the best guy for the job, and who very well may have been. I don’t get why anyone would call any part of it, including the Kidd stuff, “an embarrassing distraction” unless one feels that media-driven narratives are meaningful. They asked permission to talk to Kidd and other guys who were under contract with other organizations, and were denied that permission. Then they moved on. Seemed like a nothingburger to me.
“A year later, do you like the trade for Mikal Bridges?”
No, they gave up too many assets. I felt that way at the time because I felt that Leon pulled a Mills and bid against himself. Maybe bonafide all-star level play (like his first few months in Brooklyn) would have changed my mind, but that didn’t happen. And again, it wasn’t just the price, it was that there weren’t any unprotected picks left after the trade. Still hoping Mikal plays better and gets closer to validating at least most of the cost.
A year later, do you like the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns?
I’m still not sure. To review, I don’t like KAT as a sidekick for Brunson, and don’t like him on his contract. I don’t think he made us any better than we would have been had the trade not been made. But I do think he had more trade value than Randle, DDV and the pick did at the time of the trade. That gap has narrowed because of Randle’s contract and the unexpected conveyance of the pick.
“What should be the starting lineup next season?”
Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns-Robinson. The East is big!. But in truth, I don’t care that much.
“How many seasons will you give this iteration Knicks to win a championship before you panic?”
Panic? More like think the window is likely closed. That would be one year. But “this iteration” is not a useful term, since there will almost certainly be another iteration next year. In other words, I think there will be at least 3 and probably 4 changes to our 9-man stock rotation next year no matter what, and would be surprised if both of Mitch and Hart are still here by trade deadline 2027. KAT, Mikal, or OG could be moved as well if Giannis frees up.
“Do you still have faith that Jalen Brunson can be the best player on a championship team?”
I’m still not sure. But that’s more because the definition of “best player” is murky. I definitely think that Brunson can be the most important player because of his leadership and clutchness.
I’m not a CBA expert and have zero interest in becoming one since the effort required would be significant, add nothing to what I do and all the rules change every few years. That said, I read think the Knicks did the deal with Mikal in a way that will allow them to trade to use Bridges as part of a trade for Giannis. So start with Bridges and figure out what else it would take for them to have any chance if he decided he WANTED NY.
How far do the Knicks have to go next season for you to consider it a successful season?
Yabu being a solid defender and adding more wins than I currently having him penciled in for and some solid development from the young players. Without that, I’m not expecting much unless there is another move before the deadline. This is not the year without some upside surprises.
How confident are you that the Knicks will be the No. 1 seed in the East next year?
I’m not. Cavs are probably still better.
“Did you agree with the firing of Tom Thibodeau?”
Yes. We needed a change, but I don’t think we made the right one.
Did you like the hiring of Mike Brown?
I don’t hate it, but he was not my top choice.
Did you like the process the front office took in firing and hiring a new head coach?
No. They embarrased themselves around the league.
“A year later, do you like the trade for Mikal Bridges?”
They overpaid, but they got a two way player that’s good enough to be a starter and important part of a championship team. I’m more suspect of the Towns trade because the fit with Brunson is a much bigger issue/ question mark than the price we paid for Bridges
A year later, do you like the trade for Karl-Anthony Towns?
I still like the value, but the fit with Brunson was a question mark coming into the season and became more of a question mark as the season went on and the defense was not good enough.
“What should be the starting lineup next season?”
Brunson-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns and either Hart/Mitch/Hart. 😉
It’s still not clear. We need more evidence. That was one of my biggest complaints about Thibs. He didn’t figure that out in the regular season last year.
“How many seasons will you give this iteration Knicks to win a championship before you panic?”
I think we have about 3 years, 4 tops, but I expect more changes.
“Do you still have faith that Jalen Brunson can be the best player on a championship team?”
I think he can be a #1 option, but he has to dribble less, move the ball more and try to find ways to be less of a liability on defense or it will be tough to find the right combinations.
This is the kind of move I wanted across the coaching staff.
I don’t want recycled coachs and assistants. I don’t know anything about this guy, but he’s young (35) has a reputation for having a good mind for offense and has had some success at a lower level. IMO, we should have gambled a little more like this hoping to strike gold.
will warren dealing bellinger belting
Thank God the Twinkies are in town, the Yankees version of the Washington Generals.
Yankees are 130-53 vs the Twinkies in the 21st Century.
sitting at the “y” and just realized, I’m not even hunting milfs anymore, scheming on granny panties these days…
man, life is just so full of twists and turns…
yuck doesnt even sound in any way appealing good luck doe
later on I’m gonna probably take a shit, I’m just gonna assume I’m good to go without your explicit approval, acknowledgement, and/or existence
😛
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