Again, the problem is that ObiT's upside on these Knix is as a 15 min a night backup PF. No matter how good he does, how does he get beyond that? How does he reach a high level limited like that? Sure, maybe you find an extra 5-7 mins if he's playing real well. But that slots him in as an SF where he is less likely to shine, or Julius tries to play some C. Simply ObiT likely has more value as a 30 min a night starter elsewhere ...
We’ve got three seasons of Obi for Taj money, then we have to make a decision. At what we’re paying him, 15 -20 quality minutes a night is good value. Is it maximum value? There will be all sorts of opinions on that. It also gives him time to become effective on both ends at 2 or 3 positions by the time he’s getting ready to ask the team to quadruple or quintuple his salary, depending on the state of the market that far out. He has great teammates and coaches to work with. He just needs to get it done. Regularly outperforming Randle in a year or two within the minutes he gets is his key to internal promotion and speeding up the timeline to his payday and the team’s decisions about utilizing his value. It’s a tall order and a goal he may never achieve.
It you can find clips of him getting swatted and blowing layups in Vegas, you might have doubts about his immediate value as a first stringer and think he still may have some work to do, as good as he’s ready to be right now as a backup.
Perfection? No.
A work in progress.
But an incredible motor, big time hops, athleticism, a rapidly improving three, grace and acceleration and intensity in transition. Many of the shots he got blocked or whiffed on in transition, he will convert with more reps and repeat opportunities.
Like you say Facil, two more years at TAJ MONEY. A nice problem to have before we HAVE TO make any conclusive decisions. Meanwhile, having talent like THAT as a second teamer is a bad thing?
How? We are worried as to how he might develop better on another team? That's rich.
Also, two more years of going head to head with Taj AND Julius in practice. Let alone with Nerlens and Mitchell. Let alone with Burks and Fournier and Knox.
These Knicks, ALL OF THESE KNICKS, are works in progress. Individually and as sundry pairings and units.
To wit, Rose & Perry & Thibs placed a premium and CONTINUITY, and on bringing back those vets who came through for us, such as Rose, Burks, Noel and Gibson, while adding Walker and Fournier. Not sexy enough for some folks.
We picked Obi over Haliburton? We picked Knox over Porter? Them's the breaks.
Meanwhile, speaking only for myself, I have long wanted us to stop eating our young.
We are stocking up on young talent, and committed to developing our puppies as well.
Most projections have us penciling in RJ and Mitchell in our starting five, which includes a nicked up but potent vet in Kemba, and young vets, in their twenties and in their prime in Julius [26] and Evan [28].
Meanwhile...
Jokubaitis [20]
McBride [20]
RJ [21]
Grimes [21]
Knox [22]
Quickley [22]
J. Sims [22]
A. Simms [22]
Robinson [23]
Toppin [23]
MJ Walker [23]
Bacon [25]
Vildoza [26]
Randle [26]
Noel [27]
Fournier [28]
Burks [30]
K Walker [31]
Rose [32]
Gibson [35]
Robinson-Randle-Fournier-Barrett-Walker
Noel-Toppin-Burks-Quickley-Rose
Gibson, Knox, Grimes, Bacon, McBride
That's 12 players under 28. Fournier at 28, Noel at 27, Randle at 26, Bacon at 25.
That's seven roster players under 23.
Irrespective of how many puppies see daylight under Thibs, that is a SERIOUS COMMITMENT TO YOUTH.
And off of summer league, there is a CLEAR COMMITMENT to gearing up IQ and OB for serious rotation minutes.
I am fine with how we are entering 2021-2022.
We are building upon a winning culture. We have terrific coaching and player development.
Can we dramatically improve, to say, 50-32?
Hey, the East Is A Beast.
Can we beat out Atlanta again for the #4 spot?
Got me. They are a year older, a year more experienced, and if Trae doesn't get dinged, and Hunter can play, maybe, eeeeehhhhh, maybe they bottle lightning and get past the Bucks.
Who knows.
* What I do know is that WE HAVE A COMPETITIVE TEAM And A COMPETITIVE CULTURE.
* What I do know is that we have seven roster players under 23.
* We have potentially, two #1 picks in both 2022 and 2023.
* A boatload of #2 picks.
* Two seasons then a team option on Rose, Walker, Gibson, Burks and Noel, all on reasonable, flippable contracts, so cap flexibility or trade flex just down the road.
* Julius locked up for four [player option year four], Fournier for three [team option year four].
So God bless, but with all due respect.
Fuck Siakam.
Fuck Dame.
Fuck Collin.
NoMoreShinyObjects or
QUICK FIXES.
Poll
