Wait, what are you hearing?
What I am SEEING.
The evidence of our EYES.
Clearly both players are putting in the work.
Last time Frank saw the floor he promptly drained a three.
With Burks out, one might've expected Kevin to see some daylight and get some meaningful minutes.
NOT.
The pursuit and ultimate buyout and signing of PG/Combo guard LUCA VILDOZA, shades of
Pablo Prigioni [who during Coach Woodson's plyoff season and subsequent return to Planet Earth converted threes at a .396% and .464% clip, and while his FT attempts were limited, he converted them at an .880% and .917% rate], certainly puts a knot in the shorts not only of Frank, but of Jared Harper and Elfrid Payton, and seems to indicate the Knicks see Immanuel Quickley going forward as more of a combo guard, a la the Mircowave, Vinnie Johnson, or a scoring/facilitating hand grenade, a la Lou Williams [after a rough stretch, IQ has gotten his second wind as a shooter and scorer, and most significantly as a facilitator and defender].
I dare say the Knicks AND Derrick Rose want a return engagement in 2021-2022, but likely with a more reasonable workload.
Likewise, I think that Thibs would really like Reggie back as his 3&D, and Alec back as a versatile wing who can give us coverage at the 2-3-1 spots.
I mean, here I am breaking my own SCOLD MODE, and projecting to the draft and free agency and next season, less out of the usual ennui as another crapothon comes to an end, as in anticipation of extending on something as foundational as what the Knicks Coaching Staff and Management have managed to establish in the way of a competitive culture in the HEAR AND Fucking WOW.
I don't KNOW for a Biblical FACT that Frank and Kevin are on their way out, but that their short leash has grown even shorter. Might we pick up Frank's qualifying offer [$8.3] for next season? Kevin is due $5.8 next season.
Now we have the feverish and slightly goofy speculation about Damian Lillard, still in his prime at 30, to go along with Trader Vic speculation about Lonzo Ball.
Looking at our present 15, one has to wonder how many open spots might there be for draft picks, or if said #1 picks have more relevancy as trading chips?
C: Noel, Robinson,
PeelePF-C: Randle, Gibson, Toppin
SF-PF:
KnoxSG-SF: Barrett, Bullock
SG-SF-PG: Burks,
NtilikinaSG-PG: Quickley, Vildoza,
PinsonPG:
Payton, Rose,
HarperIn closing, a couple of things.
I count 17 bodies. So there's that.
A lot of free agent decisions to be made. So there's that.
Mitchell's health going forward [we seem to be committed to him, even, well, ESPECIALLY in light of Nerlens' breakout season]. Trade bait? Unless it's for something as implausibly over the top as a Dame L, NO.
Are Julius and Obi centers? Hey, is TAJ GIBSON? And he has been a motherfucker this season. WHEN I LOOK AT TAJ, a very effective Swiss Army Knife, and Julius, an MVP class PF, I see no reason why Obi can not be groomed to take on TAJ-Like reponsibilities. Those bloggers proclaming how we MUST TRADE Obi are delusional. As are the crow eaters now witnessing R.J.'s breakthrough, though admittedly, he was force fed minutes at a more tangible rate.
Anyway, an out of focus, all over the map series of...not projections....again, the idle mind is the devil's workshop.
PS: Agree with BoD that Houston looms as something possibly quite dangerous with Porter and Wood feeling their oats, and Olynk raining down threes.