Defense is our primary identity.
On D = Elf > Quicks + Bollocks > Burks
Randle & RJB are effective on D within Mr. Thibs' scheme. Elf and Bullox help make it work.
And then you end up starting 4 guys who want the ball and need shots.
With Quickly & Burks both erratic scorers.
Reg and Elf are more consistent on both ends.
And then Quix would have to guard starting PG's.
And who scores on the 2nd unit of Elf-Rivers-Knox-Noel?
The RJB-Bullox pairing has worked well handling weak side defense.
The IQ-Rivers pairing has been vibrant.
Depending on the effectiveness of Reg and Elf in any given game, there are plenty of minutes for IQ, Burks and Rivers.
I don't see the benefit.
Imo, you downgrade both the starting 5 and the bench unit.
It must be those Jewish Lasers from outer space, but I find myself agreeing with BoD.
And THEY CALL HIM MISTER THIBS.
When IQ comes off the bench with the second unit, HE IS TO A GREATER DEGREE THE FOCUS OF THE OFFENSE.
And in case some Knicks fans haven't noticed, THIBS Has Been Setting Up HIGH IQ To Succeed.
I understand that on a more advanced contender, Elfrid would be valued as a backup PG.
I understand that many Knicks fans cannot fathom THIBS' trust in abiding with Elfrid.
Defense. Stability. Experience.
Mike Miller and Thibs both turned to Elfrid in lieu of Dennis and Frank, in terms of a certain level of stability and consistency.
In case no one has noticed, with the first unit, Elfrid fits well with both RJ and Julius, and it is interesting that the ball is often in THEIR HANDS, in terms of setting up the offense.
For instance....
Last year, Elfrid 7.2 assists per game. This season he is averaging 3.8 assists.
Last year, Julius averaged 3.1 assists per game. This season he is averaging [AVERAGING] 6.0 assists.
Last year, RJ averaged 2.6 assists per game. This season he is averaging 4.4 assists.
So last season, between the three of them, 12.9 assists per game. This season 13.2 assists.
And among the improved stats both Julius and RJ have posted in terms of FG and FT%, I believe it is notable that Elfrid's FT% has risen from .570 last season to .711 this season [32-45], while such a stud muffin as Lonzo Ball, in similar minutes, is converting at a .583 clips [7-12]. Likewise, Elfrid's has converted 100-236 FG attempts, while Ball is 72-180. And just to revisist assists, EP is averaging 3.8 assists, while Lonzo is averaging 4.8 assists.
And yet there are Knicks fans as bloggers who would happily pony up a huge package of players and draft picks to trade for Lonzo.
This is neither a pom pom gurl orgasm on behalf of Elfrid, nor a snarky dismissal of Lonzo.
Just an attempt to put their games and what they bring to the floor in perspective [also worth ointing out as per assists per game, that much of the Pelicans offense runs through Brandon Ingram, averaging 4,7 assists]
No, Elfrid Payton is not giving us what we would have gotten from a Chris Paul, but then, CP rejected the Knicks as an option regarding relocating his family to NYC and playing in an empty MSG.
But Elfrid is surely giving us no less than such esteemed Easter Conference PGs as Kemba Walker and Jeff Teague.
Let alone a muc revered talent such as Lonzo Ball.
As per Quickley's growth curve this season, it would be interesting to track Immanuel's progress/stat lines [12.4, 2.2, 2.5, .938%] with those of LaMelo Ball [12.2, 5.9. 6.1, .755 FT%], who is clearly a better player than his brother, and a more gifted natural facilitator tha Immanuel.
Anyway, I am rambling....what else is new.
My point.
Elfrid Payton is a more than adequate placeholder for Immanuel as he makes his first pass through the league. And clearly, Thibs is putting his faith in IQ at crunch time, and it was surely gratifying to have no less an adversary than Paul Geroge speak so highly of IQ in terms of being FEARLESS. So I mean, hey Knicks fans....
Patience
Poll
