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16

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 23, 2022, 02:51:18 PM »

Knicks' Mitchell Robinson asking for public's help to find his missing father
Robinson's father has been missing since Feb. 11

Scant detail there. No info on Mitch's relationship with his father, the father's age or profession, or hints of any basic reporting.

I always figure we really don't know what is going on in player's lives unless they go public, the police get involved, or word leaks somehow.

17

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 23, 2022, 12:39:29 PM »

If you are experiencing basketball withdrawal, check out the 4Q and OT's of the MIA-CHA tilt.  https://nbafullhd.com/64493-2/

CHA has a lot of trouble winning close games with weak D and without vet leadership.  Bridges tries to step up, LaMelo too, but both make mistakes.  They seem to have gone away from Rozier as a finisher.   Meanwhile MIA has Lowry and Butler.  Guys who have seen it all and are unfazed by pressure.  Plus snipers such as Hero and Dunkin' Robinson.  And PJ the corner 3 master.

I was surprised/impressed to see PJ Washington guard both Lowry and Butler during the multiple crunch times.  Points to a problem, they don't have good backcourt defenders (Cody Martin was out).  But I wasn't aware PJWash could handle such.  Intriguing.  CHA a team which could really use Mitch.

18

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 23, 2022, 09:04:18 AM »

POR waived Dennis Smith and signed undrafted Trevor Watford to a Mitch-like extended 4 year cheapo deal (3 years min salary after this one, with last two not guaranteed).   POR kept Ingles ending salary on their books instead of keeping Jr. Smith, apparently hoping his Bird rights could have some sign and trade value.
Dropped from the team in favor of an unknown and an expiring contract cripple.
POR is rebuilding.  Normally you'd keep a 24 year old former high draft pick.

Frank'n'Smith both NBA washouts.  I saw Smith last week have a pretty strong 4Q v. LAL, including a late play where LeBronco dribbled across halfcourt and as he slowed to survey the offense, Smith just picked his pocket and went in for a layup.  There was also a really late play in which POR, up something like 4 with 30 secs left and the ball, just needed to run clock down, and Jr. Smith went 1-on-3, got trapped in the corner and chucked up the ball.  Gave Lakers an opening, and the announcers were aghast at the poor decision-making.  Your PG with no concept of the time-score continuum.

19

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 23, 2022, 08:42:22 AM »

One GM guesstimated that Mitch would get a full MLE deal, ~ 3/$33M.
That's certainly not much for what he brings, and no doubt reduced due to injury concerns.  Knix oughta keep him.  Need a defender next to Randle.  And if we had better PG's, Mitch would be more of a lob threat (Quix sometimes feeds him). 
We saw lately what Mitch can do on the boards and rim when motivated.  I think we'll see more contract year Mitch explosions the last 2 dozen games.

20

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 21, 2022, 10:44:16 PM »

The Dragon to BKY.  I guess he figures he can be the PG for the home games when Kyrie can't play.

I was thinking with CP3 out 4-6 weeks, Dragic could step into PHX and keep the ball moving there.  He's played for PHX before. 

Crafty player, but he's 35.  Well-rested, but is he in shape?  Who knows? And why didn't he play backup PG to FVV on an exciting and talented TOR team?  I really didn't/don't understand his situation.

Of course if he's healthy and not washed, NYK could sure using his steady hand.  But he was always going to choose a playoff contender, not our iffy squad -- but why BKY?  I guess a big role when you play, but plenty of time/days off ...

Early favorite was DAL since Luka is also Slovenian. And they can use vet guidance.  But Luka dominates the ball.  MIA was talked about, since Dragic knows the org well and Lowry could use extra rest.  And they are a legit contender.  MIL seemed less likely, but a good chance at a ring.  PHI could use the extra PG help.  But Harden will soon step in and over-dribble things there.
(Btw, I think BKY got a huge heist getting Simmons and Curry and Bulldog Drummond and 1sts for disgruntled out-of-shape Harden)

21

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 20, 2022, 06:29:31 AM »

I haven't liked Sexton's play.  But paired with Garland was never going to work.  And admittedly I saw CLE very little prior to this year.  But a small weak defender at PG sounds uninspiring.  Is Sextant even a PG?

Another guy who should be available ... Fultz.
Cole Ant looks like their PG.  They have Gary Harris and Suggs.
No idea if Fultz is still viable at all.
But worth keeping an eye on.  Might return later this year from last year's knee injury.

22

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 19, 2022, 02:20:18 AM »

There was of course potential rewards with Kemba.  We desperately needed a PG and if healthy Kemba can be pretty good.  We saw a 4 game flash of brilliance around XMas.  Unfortunately after almost a month of DNP's, Thibs decided Kemba could handle 40 mins per during those 4 games.  He managed two more games osteoarthritically, had to be shut down for 3 weeks and hasn't been capable again since.  Thibs obviously the wrong coach to monitor and ease up on a gimpy vet's minutes.  Kemba's second year was very questionable.

Noel was heroic last year.  Hasn't been healthy this year.  Signed for the going rate, if healthy.  Mitch insurance, since he tends to be injury and foul prone.

Funny how most of the Knix played better in their contract year and regressed this year ...

23

Basketball / The guy's a nickname gem

« on: February 18, 2022, 06:59:39 PM »

Bones awfully similar to IQ.
So far has shot below 38% FG every month.
Weak defender.  Lotta confidence (like Quix).
I'll stick with Grimes, thank you.
But I sure hope they refer to his shot as the Hyland fling ...

24

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 18, 2022, 06:52:42 PM »

Knick transition D was awful last year as well, when the overall D was good.

Did anyone really expect DeMar to have a career year at 32?
https://www.espn.in/nba/story/_/id/33308881/chicago-bulls-demar-derozan-stays-hot-eclipses-wilt-chamberlain-record-scoring-streak
3/$82 as he gets on into his mid-30's?
Quite a gamble, and CHI gave up Thad and a future 1st as well.
DeRozan's midrange game, plus Mitch, would clog up driving lanes for Randle and RJB and push them outside for more 3's.  Bulls use Vuj as a stretch 5 to open lanes for DeMar.  DeMar inside the arc and a bunch of shooters outside.

Caruso as starting PG?  Not a viable solution.
Caruso as Burks replacement would be fine.  But contract year Burks was pretty good.  Where's his mojo gone to?  Career low 38% FG. These days much of his offense involves crashing into his defender to get FT's. 

25

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 18, 2022, 02:23:12 PM »

I sure didn't expect DeRozan's resurrection.
Caruso didn't make much sense with NYK, with Burks here.
He fit really well with LAL.
I wanted ZoBall, but Knix showed no interest.

BallZo - Grimes/Burks - RJB - Randle - Mitch

26

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 18, 2022, 01:59:56 PM »

Told ya, Grimes bit on the CamTom minor hesitation and left his feet in a block attempt.  Leaving him out of position to box out.  4Eva was down low and should have blocked out LMA.  Watch it again.  I thought Burks giving Scurry a go ahead 3 was the early killer.

Barrett - Robinson - San Quentin
That's 3 defenders around Randle.
And 2 guys who can hit 3's.

Dredge up a two-way steady PG.
A Lowry, Rubio, Conley type vet would be enough.
I'd take Brogdon, who could be available (expect to give up ObiT or Mitch + one of our vet SG's). 
Pay big for Brunson in FA a possible option(?)
Our two best options.

Otherwise:
Rubio?  Dinwiddie?
Bledsoe should be available, but he's kind of a mess.  Not really an orchestrator or outside shooter and turnover prone.
   

27

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 18, 2022, 12:10:25 PM »

Cam Thomas was brilliant 4Q.  Guy we could have had.  I'd take him over Fournier (and McBride).  I like Grimes' 2-way game.  Would have been nice to draft Jalen Johnson and Grimes in a rebuild. Though we did pick up Reddish for a future 1st, and he's along the lines of Jalen. 

Looking at the 2nd round of that ultra-deep draft, Dosunmu (#38, two picks after McB) has looked terrific.  Shooting 41% on 3's.  Averaging 7.4 assists in Feb.  20 starts for a contender.  While Herb Jones (one pick prior to Bake McBride) has balled out too.   Jared Butler did it too, but has seen limited time in for deep contending Utah.

28

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 18, 2022, 11:43:29 AM »

As small as Quentin Grimes not blocking out on a key late possession.

On the LMA putback at the 2 min mark, QG thought CamTom was going to pull up before he reached Mitch, as he'd been doing, and left his feet to try to block the expected shot.  So he was out of position to box out.  Mitch came out further than previously, so CamTom smartly drove.  Meanwhile 4Eva dances his way into no man's land under the rim, not helping Mitch and not staying in place to box out.  4Ev was in favorable position to box out, and should have noticed San Quentin trailing over the screen and out of the play.  That is, at least Grimey had a sin of commission, 4Ev a sin of omission, winding up doing zilch on the possession.

Worse was the play before, where Burks is too far off Scurry2.0, and then decides to guard LMA instead of a great shooter.  Mitch did run into Grimes trying to recover to LMA.  But slow-footed LMA at the 3-point line or Scurry?  Easy to know who you should guard.  Burks blew it.  And that gave an open 3 and the momentum to BKY.

You want an key rebound failure?  Try 30 seconds left, BKY up 3, LMA misses a midranger and Bruce Brown grabs the rebound with Randle standing right next to him.  Maybe fatigue, but Randle doesn't box out or make much play for the board.  Gets caught flatfooted.  A fresher smaller player swoops in.  But Brown subbed in when Johnson fouled out a bit earlier, was guarding Randle, and Julius should know that Brown likes to cut along the baseline and crash the boards.  That was a huge play, much more significant than the BKY off-rebound at the 2 min mark.

29

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 16, 2022, 02:55:58 AM »

Told you - Charlotte is gone  - not to be caught

CHA just dropped below .500.  In 9th.  Just one game ahead of now healthy ATL.  Knix would be right on their tail too, if they ween't busy blowing giant leads and losing games they should win.

CHA and SAC show the folly of the out-score-'em approach.

30

Basketball / Re: Knicks

« on: February 15, 2022, 11:25:59 AM »

Knix 1Q defense was terrible, especially 4Eva.
Grimes and Mitch were good.
And late 1Q gave up two transition dunks.  One was a 2-on-4, and Kenrich gets a dunk.  How is the transition D so bad?  A few clueless players and lack of communication.