This team is the closest a Knicks team has been to the championship Knick teams in terms of makeup of starting five and approach. I had the eternal pleasure of being weened on basketball from those early Knicks teams so while Jon sees the Spurs of circa 2013-14 in the Knicks excellence the other night I see the Knicks team from long ago. The common thread from the 1970 Knicks to todays team are the following: The offense revolves around and is mostly powered by a point guard ( today Brunson then Frazier) and a center (today KAT then Reed), both teams were/are blessed with perfectly fitting and supporting forwards( today OG and Mikal then Bradley and Debusschere) who could all defend and shoot. The fifth starter on each team is different ( Barnett then and Josh now) but each fits their team perfectly. The approach is the same: share the ball, play hard tough defense and plan to win. Hopefully this team is blessed with good health. It is going to fun to watch!
I’m with you on the early 70’s team on offense. But those championship teams (and one finals) were also amongst the top couple of teams in defense too. This team is not there and with two average to below-average defenders in the starting five, it might be difficult to get there.
Of course, this is a totally different game today so I’m not sure it matters.
Great analysis. After the heartbreak of the Yankees, was good to watch the Knicks command and destroy Detroit who up to that game had played fairly well. Go Knicks .Go Rangers.
I recall in "Moneyball" how Brad Pitt was impressed by Jonah Hill's emphasis on a batter's worth by his "gets on base" ability (walks, hit by pitch, bunts to move runners, and singles). In the same manner, trading the farm for players like OG Ananoby and Mikal Bridges was based not on their pure scoring/shooting numbers, but rather their plus/minus contributions re: defensive energy, deflections, rebounds, passing dimes, in addition to scoring ability when needed. Thibs describes OG's total game contributionsas as "invaluable." Similarly, Josh Hart's overall impact on a game is worth far more than his scoring numbers alone.
An all-timer in this newsletter: "The only thing better than an ice cold TLT is the Knicks employing ball movement reminiscent of the ‘13-14 Spurs." If this isn't flawless product placement, what is!?
Very curious to see what the Rockets game is like tonight. They were down by more than 30 against the Warriors on Saturday and somehow managed to get it to OT. I don't think they're a good team yet but they are dangerous, as we learned last year.
Although not in the news letter, I will comment on the Joel Embid discussion from yours and Jeremy’s show lat night. Joel Embid is a despicable athlete and person judging from watching him as a professional basketball player. It’s why I railed against your dream of him becoming a Knick. He has repeatedly thrown his teammates under the bus. He broke Luke Kornett’s nose on purpose, he has everyone of his coaches fired, even though he plays so few games. He is a bully, as evidenced by the multiple videos of his dirty play on You Tube. Who will forget his grabbing Mitch’s leg while in the air and then have the balls to say he was protecting himself. Then proceeded to knee I-Hart in the balls.. Mitch by the way blamed Embid for injuries to his leg including doing a body slam oh his leg. I’m sure Embid’s practice of being a crybaby in addition to being a bully, played into the writers article. I’ve seen a former president insult, war dead, war heroes, women, wives daughters etc.. Not once have the offended struck or pushed the former president. I can almost guarantee that Embid did something to that reporter in line with bullying behavior. Embid uses his size to play dirty on the court without repercussions, he cannot be allowed to bully reporters, no matter what they write. About your article, Towns is the perfect fit with Brunson. Reminding me of Stockton and Malone. I anticipate Brunson will have his best assist season.
Great game Friday. Everyone looked good. The rooks got some minutes.
I guess one question is are we sure it's Kolek replacing Payne? I would be interested in seeing what Dadiet looks like with more minutes since it will put the ball in Mikal's hands more. Happy either way though.
There's nothing there for Giannis and the Knicks.. not that they've fully leaned in to this being Brunson's team and designing everything around him. Giannis is the opposite of a stretch 5 and does best when going downhill to the basket - so it'd be RJ / Julius all over. Now defensively of course it's an incredible upgrade but just can't see how this would ever happen or work.
Since I think the rumor is bunk, I haven’t put too much thought into the Knicks acquiring Giannis but I would definitely do a Towns for Giannis swap. Unfortunately, there is no way the Bucks would trade Giannis straight up for Towns and for all they’d require, I doubt I’d do the deal.
Giannis is arguably one of the top three or four players in the NBA, has won a title, has remained relatively healthy, and is still under 30.
Can you imagine a starting five of Brunson, Bridges, OG, and Giannis? I could play center and we’d probably win a title.
This team is the closest a Knicks team has been to the championship Knick teams in terms of makeup of starting five and approach. I had the eternal pleasure of being weened on basketball from those early Knicks teams so while Jon sees the Spurs of circa 2013-14 in the Knicks excellence the other night I see the Knicks team from long ago. The common thread from the 1970 Knicks to todays team are the following: The offense revolves around and is mostly powered by a point guard ( today Brunson then Frazier) and a center (today KAT then Reed), both teams were/are blessed with perfectly fitting and supporting forwards( today OG and Mikal then Bradley and Debusschere) who could all defend and shoot. The fifth starter on each team is different ( Barnett then and Josh now) but each fits their team perfectly. The approach is the same: share the ball, play hard tough defense and plan to win. Hopefully this team is blessed with good health. It is going to fun to watch!
I’m with you on the early 70’s team on offense. But those championship teams (and one finals) were also amongst the top couple of teams in defense too. This team is not there and with two average to below-average defenders in the starting five, it might be difficult to get there.
Of course, this is a totally different game today so I’m not sure it matters.
A Brad Pitt themed article and not a single shoutout to fight club? Cmon Macri. This is OFFENSIVE!!! #PittStop
there was one reference!!!!
7-2 by the end of the week. Book it
Great analysis. After the heartbreak of the Yankees, was good to watch the Knicks command and destroy Detroit who up to that game had played fairly well. Go Knicks .Go Rangers.
I recall in "Moneyball" how Brad Pitt was impressed by Jonah Hill's emphasis on a batter's worth by his "gets on base" ability (walks, hit by pitch, bunts to move runners, and singles). In the same manner, trading the farm for players like OG Ananoby and Mikal Bridges was based not on their pure scoring/shooting numbers, but rather their plus/minus contributions re: defensive energy, deflections, rebounds, passing dimes, in addition to scoring ability when needed. Thibs describes OG's total game contributionsas as "invaluable." Similarly, Josh Hart's overall impact on a game is worth far more than his scoring numbers alone.
That is some ELITE connecting of dots right there Howard.
Pitt / Kat was fun
Thank you sir!
An all-timer in this newsletter: "The only thing better than an ice cold TLT is the Knicks employing ball movement reminiscent of the ‘13-14 Spurs." If this isn't flawless product placement, what is!?
Very curious to see what the Rockets game is like tonight. They were down by more than 30 against the Warriors on Saturday and somehow managed to get it to OT. I don't think they're a good team yet but they are dangerous, as we learned last year.
BOOM BABY! Glad you enjoyed that one. Better yet, it's true!
Although not in the news letter, I will comment on the Joel Embid discussion from yours and Jeremy’s show lat night. Joel Embid is a despicable athlete and person judging from watching him as a professional basketball player. It’s why I railed against your dream of him becoming a Knick. He has repeatedly thrown his teammates under the bus. He broke Luke Kornett’s nose on purpose, he has everyone of his coaches fired, even though he plays so few games. He is a bully, as evidenced by the multiple videos of his dirty play on You Tube. Who will forget his grabbing Mitch’s leg while in the air and then have the balls to say he was protecting himself. Then proceeded to knee I-Hart in the balls.. Mitch by the way blamed Embid for injuries to his leg including doing a body slam oh his leg. I’m sure Embid’s practice of being a crybaby in addition to being a bully, played into the writers article. I’ve seen a former president insult, war dead, war heroes, women, wives daughters etc.. Not once have the offended struck or pushed the former president. I can almost guarantee that Embid did something to that reporter in line with bullying behavior. Embid uses his size to play dirty on the court without repercussions, he cannot be allowed to bully reporters, no matter what they write. About your article, Towns is the perfect fit with Brunson. Reminding me of Stockton and Malone. I anticipate Brunson will have his best assist season.
I hear you loud and clear, and if Embiid did something else that we don't know about, I'd be the first person to be on his case.
Someone photoshop Jalen and KAT as Danny Ocean and Rusty Ryan
If I thought I could do even a halfway decent job of this, I'd have tried it myself. Alas...
https://jmp.sh/k0WfHKpJ
OH MY GOD.
Do you have a Twitter handle or something so I can give you credit if I tweet this?
Great game Friday. Everyone looked good. The rooks got some minutes.
I guess one question is are we sure it's Kolek replacing Payne? I would be interested in seeing what Dadiet looks like with more minutes since it will put the ball in Mikal's hands more. Happy either way though.
I think he likes having a traditional backup PG
What’s the deal with all this Giannis trash floating around ? Even for KAT straight up seems like it would be an awful move.
It was just Stein noting what other teams have speculated. No legs as of now, and Bondy came out with something debunking the notion yesterday.
There's nothing there for Giannis and the Knicks.. not that they've fully leaned in to this being Brunson's team and designing everything around him. Giannis is the opposite of a stretch 5 and does best when going downhill to the basket - so it'd be RJ / Julius all over. Now defensively of course it's an incredible upgrade but just can't see how this would ever happen or work.
Since I think the rumor is bunk, I haven’t put too much thought into the Knicks acquiring Giannis but I would definitely do a Towns for Giannis swap. Unfortunately, there is no way the Bucks would trade Giannis straight up for Towns and for all they’d require, I doubt I’d do the deal.
Giannis is arguably one of the top three or four players in the NBA, has won a title, has remained relatively healthy, and is still under 30.
Can you imagine a starting five of Brunson, Bridges, OG, and Giannis? I could play center and we’d probably win a title.