Interesting game.
Knicks gave Thibs the gift of defense for his birthday.
Yes, Celtics without Tatum, but every team is dealing with injuries.
Good to see IQ and Obi getting into good rhythm, post-rehab, and look how much more efficient RJ was only playing 29 minutes. Julius with a +29, on 20-12-4 with three steals.
Posted a dissent to all of the posters and Brother Alan Hahn himself on his FACEBOOK Post-Game Video Blog (I'm a big fan), with all of the inevitable TRADING RANDLE dissonance, which drives me crazy. Man is playing like a leader, playing like a captain, and of course, Knicks fans once again never know a good thing when they have it, and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, a comment Alan found odd. "We didn't draft Obi to have him sit."
I believe Thibs is figuring out ways to have them on the court together, when matchups permit, as awkward as that might be coming out of the gate. Yes, yes, I know, BoD.
Now, would I trade Randle straight up for Bradley Beal?
Wiping a tear from my eye? Uh, yes I would. But it would have to be at the level of getting a star back for a star.
In other agita.
Kiid an infantile, right-wing idiot? STOP THE SCHPIEL. You guys are welcome to him. You guys are welcome to him. I sleep better at night not being exposed to something so unclean.
What else?
Speaking of assholes, Stephen A. Smith excoriating Knicks for passing on Haliburton.
Well, the Bulls, Pistons, Knicks, Suns and Spurs all passed.
Haliburton was my pick, but given that we ended up with Quicley AND Toppin, it eases the pain.
As for the whole Peyton starting thing?
A non-issue. I think there is much IQ can learn from Elfrid, particularly on the defensive end of things, and having taken several games to regain his rhythm, post-injury, IQ is again in tune and tempo. Hahn speaks to his inevitability. Of course. But I have faith Thibs knows what he is doing, taking the pressure off of the kid, while spotting him significant minutes and building his confidence.
Likewise with Obi, vis a vis his big brother Julius. A good outing for Obi. His high arching trey (like Knox's) is a thing of beauty, and loved that one play where IQ found him on a back cut for a master blaster.
Again, regarding Julius AND Obi. This is a GOOD PROBLEM to have. And if we trade Julius, suddenly we are quite thin at PF, eh?
Get a grip Knicks fans, crying hunger with a holiday ham and a couple of loafs of bread under each fucking arm.
FINALLY: Impressive game from Noels, and all of the Knicks, whether or not the fruit was falling, responded well to getting a practice in, with terrific defensive focus and cohesion. And what to make of RJ? Stinks up the court with awful shooting, then comes back with solid shooting and all around game, 19-11-3 and two steals, 2-4 from trey and 7-8 from the FT line. This young man has character and cajones and no reverse gear. Sucks, then puts in the work and comes roaring back. Again, doesn't hurt to play 29 instead of 42, 36. Has a long way to go, and his successful threes are generally the shortest corner threes, but we have a foundational piece as a big 6'7" 2-3 wing.
See if we have any gas in the tank for tomorrow.
Happy MLK, and Bette White, Knicks fans.