The games that don't count are over. As we get ready for the regular season, a lot of questions have been answered, but some key ones still remain. Let's dive in.
Quickley has forced the issue and needs to start. Payton was signed as an emergency option and isn't the future. He and DSJR shouldn't be in the rotation at all.
It never happens but there are a lot of reasons to build two equal units and play them both about 24 minutes a game. You usually want to put your best players on the first team while still building solid individual units but I think this group will do better if you build each unit based on who needs to play with Quickley. Because that will put the guys who need the most minutes on both units I'd just play them equal minutes and eliminate the griping about who starts and who doesn't. You probably get better units and happier players if you go with the best fits and just ignore the who deserves more time questions. They can add as much practice time as they need if they aren't getting enough minutes during the game.
I think the shift we see this year is positionless basketball replacing the traditional PG. 2 bigs with one being a shot blocker and 3 wings. 3 guys who prefer the ball in their hand or who are at least able to pass/create on each unit.
My first draft
Quickley - RJ - Knox - Randle - MItch
Rivers - Burks - Bullock - Obi - Noel
My biggest remaining question is Randle and Obi. I'd prefer Obi on the younger unit in a way but I also prefer to start the younger unit and think Randle is a better fit to start against Sabonis. This is what leads me to throw up my hands a bit and wish for two units that play equal minutes but where the unit that starts is based on matchups, practice and other day to day questions.
For those who say Obi is good and Randle is bad my comeback is this. Randle has the tools to be much better and has the tools to be a very good player in this league. He also hasn't developed as needed and doesn't make a lot of decisions that would improve his game. He's now in an environment built to help him comfortably develop his game. He's also in a season where he'd better look good if he wants a big contract. He's a young, coachable guy who is massively talented and highly motivated to improve this year. I'd rate him as much and as good of a prospect as anyone else on the team. If he changes his game the right way and does everything he's told he's a legit playoff team starter. Finding guys like that is what a rebuild is all about. Finding undeveloped players with NBA experience is a totally viable way to find talent because so many guys come out before they are ready and because teams don't have time to develop players.
My second draft
Quickley - RJ - Knox - Obi - MItch
Rivers - Burks - Bullock - Randle - Noel
This feels safer for opening night if they start the Rivers unit and play each one for 24 minutes. My first choice would be these two units. In game one I'd start the Rivers unit.
I'd move/cut DSJR and Payton. Neither have the potential to develop into anything of value to this team and the roster spots need to be freed up. Payton as insurance wasn't a terrible move and DSJR was never a real return piece for Porzingis so no one should even have any regrets. They have value to other teams but not enough to get anything in trade or to even tie up roster spots looking for a deal.
Spellman doesn't look like the answer to any basketball questions and coming into camp that soft makes me think his motivation isn't a good fit.
Trades?
Would it be worthwhile to trade MItch to the Warriors for Wiseman if the other half of the deal was Wiggins and the Minn 2021 1st. Randle most likely goes in that deal to balance the money. I'd do it even though I probably wouldn't start Wiggins and with Mitch being much cheaper and better at least at this point. Wiseman is probably better and cheaper as soon as next year and the free agent thing in 2021 isn't happening so I'm happy getting the third 1st round pick instead of whatever free agent we would have gotten.
And now for the anti keeping it real trade proposal.
Houston trades Harden, Gordon and Tucker for Simmons and Wiggins
Philly trades Simmons and Maxey for Harden and Frank.
GSW trade Wiggins and Wiseman for Mitch, Gordan, Tucker and Bullock.
The Knicks trade Mitch, Frank and Bullock for Wiseman, Maxey and Green.
Pre Season Pet Peeve - Thibs doesn't design lineups to pacify irrational Knicks fans. I keep hearing people talk about this or that guy starting to keep fans happy. If that happens he should be fired. Anyone who talks about the Knicks making the wrong move to support the mental health of Knicks fans just shouldn't talk about basketball. (not directed at our host)
OK - Here is my preference for the final line up.
Quickley has forced the issue and needs to start. Payton was signed as an emergency option and isn't the future. He and DSJR shouldn't be in the rotation at all.
It never happens but there are a lot of reasons to build two equal units and play them both about 24 minutes a game. You usually want to put your best players on the first team while still building solid individual units but I think this group will do better if you build each unit based on who needs to play with Quickley. Because that will put the guys who need the most minutes on both units I'd just play them equal minutes and eliminate the griping about who starts and who doesn't. You probably get better units and happier players if you go with the best fits and just ignore the who deserves more time questions. They can add as much practice time as they need if they aren't getting enough minutes during the game.
I think the shift we see this year is positionless basketball replacing the traditional PG. 2 bigs with one being a shot blocker and 3 wings. 3 guys who prefer the ball in their hand or who are at least able to pass/create on each unit.
My first draft
Quickley - RJ - Knox - Randle - MItch
Rivers - Burks - Bullock - Obi - Noel
My biggest remaining question is Randle and Obi. I'd prefer Obi on the younger unit in a way but I also prefer to start the younger unit and think Randle is a better fit to start against Sabonis. This is what leads me to throw up my hands a bit and wish for two units that play equal minutes but where the unit that starts is based on matchups, practice and other day to day questions.
For those who say Obi is good and Randle is bad my comeback is this. Randle has the tools to be much better and has the tools to be a very good player in this league. He also hasn't developed as needed and doesn't make a lot of decisions that would improve his game. He's now in an environment built to help him comfortably develop his game. He's also in a season where he'd better look good if he wants a big contract. He's a young, coachable guy who is massively talented and highly motivated to improve this year. I'd rate him as much and as good of a prospect as anyone else on the team. If he changes his game the right way and does everything he's told he's a legit playoff team starter. Finding guys like that is what a rebuild is all about. Finding undeveloped players with NBA experience is a totally viable way to find talent because so many guys come out before they are ready and because teams don't have time to develop players.
My second draft
Quickley - RJ - Knox - Obi - MItch
Rivers - Burks - Bullock - Randle - Noel
This feels safer for opening night if they start the Rivers unit and play each one for 24 minutes. My first choice would be these two units. In game one I'd start the Rivers unit.
I'd move/cut DSJR and Payton. Neither have the potential to develop into anything of value to this team and the roster spots need to be freed up. Payton as insurance wasn't a terrible move and DSJR was never a real return piece for Porzingis so no one should even have any regrets. They have value to other teams but not enough to get anything in trade or to even tie up roster spots looking for a deal.
Spellman doesn't look like the answer to any basketball questions and coming into camp that soft makes me think his motivation isn't a good fit.
Trades?
Would it be worthwhile to trade MItch to the Warriors for Wiseman if the other half of the deal was Wiggins and the Minn 2021 1st. Randle most likely goes in that deal to balance the money. I'd do it even though I probably wouldn't start Wiggins and with Mitch being much cheaper and better at least at this point. Wiseman is probably better and cheaper as soon as next year and the free agent thing in 2021 isn't happening so I'm happy getting the third 1st round pick instead of whatever free agent we would have gotten.
And now for the anti keeping it real trade proposal.
Houston trades Harden, Gordon and Tucker for Simmons and Wiggins
Philly trades Simmons and Maxey for Harden and Frank.
GSW trade Wiggins and Wiseman for Mitch, Gordan, Tucker and Bullock.
The Knicks trade Mitch, Frank and Bullock for Wiseman, Maxey and Green.
Pre Season Pet Peeve - Thibs doesn't design lineups to pacify irrational Knicks fans. I keep hearing people talk about this or that guy starting to keep fans happy. If that happens he should be fired. Anyone who talks about the Knicks making the wrong move to support the mental health of Knicks fans just shouldn't talk about basketball. (not directed at our host)