Jon, I’ve got 20 years on you and Knicks PTSD is a real thing. Acquire a star, he right away has a devastating injury (Antonio); acquire a superstar and for half a season looks like the league NBA but then the injury monster raises it’s ugly head (STAT); worst record in the league with seemingly two superstars, fall to #3 (RJ draft). I could go on and on unfortunately.
But now, dare I say the dawn is rising? I’m truly afraid of getting my hopes up but is Jalen Brunson the prince that was promised?
I’m so happy for RJ. I have always rooted for the kid very hard. Last season I thought he was taking an all-star turn. This season he started rough, course corrected, and then impaled his hand with his own finger against Dallas. It was at the point where even I was doubting him, since he came back from that injury and seemingly forgot how to shoot. I only caught the beginning of the KFS post game stream, but I had the same thoughts watching it that you and DJ relayed - the game is beginning to slow down for him. The decisions are beginning to become clearer. He’s starting to realize his strength and his speed. And he’s starting to go right??? Just enough to keep the D off balance.
Maybe RJ having looked clunky is a result of him being unsure of what to do? (Maybe it’s being a third option behind two ball dominant scorers.) But yesterday, he looked like he was moving pretty damn fast out there when he was being decisive. The early dunk attempt was one of the most assured and aggressive moves I’ve ever seen from RJ. If RJ can consistently be this version of himself, I think the ceiling of this team is raised. Possibly by a lot. Lean into the playmaking, lean into the aggressive, decisive drives to the rim, defend hard... and hit league average on 3s. That version of RJ is a cornerstone building block and an all-star. Possibly All NBA. Not sure we will get it consistently. But I’ve watched the NBA since 1992-93 season; when a guy has a coming out party in the playoffs, it usually means something a different than a hot streak in January. RJ is doing this against a favored team, the best defense in the league. We don’t need him to be the best player. We need him to be a competent Robin, aggressively bending the defense and taking it to the rim or finding a teammate in the space he’s created. He is beginning to believe. And so am I. (But hit some 3s, please lol)
I am so impressed with Thibs and how he has coached this series. The Cavs are a good team and more importantly a good defensive team. Even his use of McBride yesterday was perfect... he’s pushing all the right buttons now and has this team ready to play.
I was lucky enough to be at the game and WOW. The Garden was rocking from 1st whistle to last.
I don’t know what to say about RJ anymore. Watching the confidence that he played with was great, and the crowd fed off his energy. The Rj chants during timeouts were deafening, couldn’t hear myself think. For him to step up the way he has when all of the conversation was about legit everyone else on the roster. For him to step up when everyone counted him out. For him to be the main driving force behind 2 wins, put the team on his back, step into the Randle role/hole, and be THAT guy. It’s been a tough season for him, but if they go onto win this series I am forgiving him for a lot of the reg season. He has earned it. Also, where the hell has this level of defense and defensive commitment been from him all season??
Additionally, I want to point something out that I noticed at the game that I was wondering if anyone picked up on. It seemed like Rj was more decisive with his final step while he was driving. There were multiple instances where he took an extra dribble/step to snake past his defender and the rim protector in order to get a clean look at the rim. He also used the stronger last step to go rise with more verticality/force and get a clean finish. This is opposed to the usual where he goes up too early, doesn’t go up strong enough, or goes up when his defender is still on his hip/in front of him. I loved seeing him mix it up, and it worked with great success.
Finally, for Randle’s sake, I hope he turns it around. He put so much work into this season and won everyone back onto his side. I would hate to see it all go to waste b/c he’s struggling now/in his own head. There was a play at the end of the 2Q where the Knicks had a fast break with Hart on the ball. Randle ran to the corner and was open for the pass but Hart went to the rim and forced an ugly rim attempt over the Cavs defender. Randle was visibly upset he didn’t get the pass and didn’t run to get back on defense. It wasn’t a good look, esp since he had just checked back into the game a few minutes prior so tiredness was not an excuse. I have faith that all it will take to get his head in the right spot is for him to see a couple 3s go down in the 1Q of Game 5. I really think it’s that simple b/c he is still very engaged when he is on the bench and was clapping, high diving, and smiling during the stretch run of the game yesterday. I do wonder if the ankle is coming into play as well. But all in all, I hope he gets himself going.
I truly enjoy this amazing 2022-2023 NYKnicks team as my beloved basketball family. I’m watching this season’s journey like the parent - loving the Knicks’ personalities, their strong characters and their development as NBA players and teammates!
And one thought came up as I read this newsletter, imagine if Knicks didn’t re-sign Mitchell Robinson, like Cuban / Dallas Mavericks didn’t re-sign Jalen Brunson?!
And I expect Knicks to win Game 5 and the series! I’m happy the Knicks are on their way to “shock” the world, as RJ Barrett stated in the preseason.
Although four years of data would have us pump the brakes on Barrett's coronation, it was an absolute pleasure to see the team effort put together by the Knicks this weekend. Not as skilled or efficient as the golden era of the late 60's and early 70's, but tremendously satisfying. Truly gratifying to see the younger players play put so much effort into defense. Interesting side comment elsewhere about Cleveland playing their starters 38-40 minutes, because their bench was depleted by the Mitchell trade. Thanks for admirably, and painfully, describing the angst all Knick fans felt in the early 3rd.
Jon that was beautiful. A few years younger then you I felt those exact same emotions throughout the game. The PTSD is real. Maybe, just maybe we can listen to Andrew and start talking our shit.
Lots of good thoughts in the newsletter and above. I am going to just reiterate the one praising Thibs. The offensive adjustment to get the smalls setting the picks instead of the bigs, the defensive strategy on Mitchell and in game defensive adjustments and even moves we never thought were in his bag like not reinserting Randle and closing with Obi. I was very impressed.
I’ve got 10 yrs on ya and can relate to the PTSD. For some reason I’ve believed in this team however. At least since the Josh Hart acquisition this has felt different. It’s felt like a team truly playing like a team and the Cavs have never scared me. We’re not facing Shaq & Kobe here. I’m giving all my stars off the game to Thibs. He finally stood up to Julius and allowed the hot hands to stay hot. That’s what we’ve always been asking for. We don’t have the superstar, but what we do have is a collective that’s better than what you have. That’s our differentiator. If we have pre-set minute rotations and don’t allow for what the game is showing us... than we’re less special. Last... a request for the KFS crew to look for different words than the often repeated “step on their necks”. With the awful police brutality too often in the news this takes me to an uncomfortable place and suspect I’m not alone. Thanks guys. Love the pod and content.
Thibs being Thibs, is one of those sayings that can go either way but I've come to realize, to me, it's always a good thing. This Knicks team has been "grinded down" by this coach all year, several years for some players. And it's showing in this series. Watching this team during the first 4 games, I'm not seeing anything new, sure guys are playing harder but this team has been playing hard all year and they've been playing the way Thibs wants them to and you can see it's in their DNA. There is no switch to be flipped for the playoffs, it's on and always will be for a Thibs team. I've taken this coach for granted since last seasons disaster but no more, he's my coach, he's our coach. Thibs will be Thibs.
Frankly, I think the last two games have been very, very revealing, but in an unexpected way. I will admit, that like the dean of Knicks Film School, I have not been high on RJ. But not for the reasons that people who are RJ fans would think. I just didn’t see the fit. Three ball dominant guys doesn’t seem to work. And neither Randle or RJ could ego wise play primarily second team minutes.
Given Randle’s season, it was hard to see how he should be the guy who lost opportunities. That said, given Randle’s play in this series, RJ has been getting the opportunities and has shown why he was drafted as high as he was. There are real holes in his game, but the thing he does really well, he does better than most of the players in this league. Those holes need to improve if he is going to be the best version of RJ, but he is only 22.
That said, I do think the last two games clearly demonstrate that RJ is held down by playing with two other ball dominant players. This is clearly an off-season issue, but has changed my perspective on the possible composition of the team going forward. In a similar way to how Obi has been held back by fit issues, I think RJ has been too. That probably has to change if he is going to reach his ceiling. I think it presents a real challenge, and opportunity, to the Knick front office (and probably the coach as well).
Jon, I’ve got 20 years on you and Knicks PTSD is a real thing. Acquire a star, he right away has a devastating injury (Antonio); acquire a superstar and for half a season looks like the league NBA but then the injury monster raises it’s ugly head (STAT); worst record in the league with seemingly two superstars, fall to #3 (RJ draft). I could go on and on unfortunately.
But now, dare I say the dawn is rising? I’m truly afraid of getting my hopes up but is Jalen Brunson the prince that was promised?
I’m so happy for RJ. I have always rooted for the kid very hard. Last season I thought he was taking an all-star turn. This season he started rough, course corrected, and then impaled his hand with his own finger against Dallas. It was at the point where even I was doubting him, since he came back from that injury and seemingly forgot how to shoot. I only caught the beginning of the KFS post game stream, but I had the same thoughts watching it that you and DJ relayed - the game is beginning to slow down for him. The decisions are beginning to become clearer. He’s starting to realize his strength and his speed. And he’s starting to go right??? Just enough to keep the D off balance.
Maybe RJ having looked clunky is a result of him being unsure of what to do? (Maybe it’s being a third option behind two ball dominant scorers.) But yesterday, he looked like he was moving pretty damn fast out there when he was being decisive. The early dunk attempt was one of the most assured and aggressive moves I’ve ever seen from RJ. If RJ can consistently be this version of himself, I think the ceiling of this team is raised. Possibly by a lot. Lean into the playmaking, lean into the aggressive, decisive drives to the rim, defend hard... and hit league average on 3s. That version of RJ is a cornerstone building block and an all-star. Possibly All NBA. Not sure we will get it consistently. But I’ve watched the NBA since 1992-93 season; when a guy has a coming out party in the playoffs, it usually means something a different than a hot streak in January. RJ is doing this against a favored team, the best defense in the league. We don’t need him to be the best player. We need him to be a competent Robin, aggressively bending the defense and taking it to the rim or finding a teammate in the space he’s created. He is beginning to believe. And so am I. (But hit some 3s, please lol)
Don’t get ahead of yourself Jon!!
I am so impressed with Thibs and how he has coached this series. The Cavs are a good team and more importantly a good defensive team. Even his use of McBride yesterday was perfect... he’s pushing all the right buttons now and has this team ready to play.
Speaking of Larry Johnson . . .
“Game 4 stars Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett walk off the court — but not before Larry Johnson has a word with Barrett”
https://twitter.com/NBA_NewYork/status/1650224544320290817?s=20
I was lucky enough to be at the game and WOW. The Garden was rocking from 1st whistle to last.
I don’t know what to say about RJ anymore. Watching the confidence that he played with was great, and the crowd fed off his energy. The Rj chants during timeouts were deafening, couldn’t hear myself think. For him to step up the way he has when all of the conversation was about legit everyone else on the roster. For him to step up when everyone counted him out. For him to be the main driving force behind 2 wins, put the team on his back, step into the Randle role/hole, and be THAT guy. It’s been a tough season for him, but if they go onto win this series I am forgiving him for a lot of the reg season. He has earned it. Also, where the hell has this level of defense and defensive commitment been from him all season??
Additionally, I want to point something out that I noticed at the game that I was wondering if anyone picked up on. It seemed like Rj was more decisive with his final step while he was driving. There were multiple instances where he took an extra dribble/step to snake past his defender and the rim protector in order to get a clean look at the rim. He also used the stronger last step to go rise with more verticality/force and get a clean finish. This is opposed to the usual where he goes up too early, doesn’t go up strong enough, or goes up when his defender is still on his hip/in front of him. I loved seeing him mix it up, and it worked with great success.
Finally, for Randle’s sake, I hope he turns it around. He put so much work into this season and won everyone back onto his side. I would hate to see it all go to waste b/c he’s struggling now/in his own head. There was a play at the end of the 2Q where the Knicks had a fast break with Hart on the ball. Randle ran to the corner and was open for the pass but Hart went to the rim and forced an ugly rim attempt over the Cavs defender. Randle was visibly upset he didn’t get the pass and didn’t run to get back on defense. It wasn’t a good look, esp since he had just checked back into the game a few minutes prior so tiredness was not an excuse. I have faith that all it will take to get his head in the right spot is for him to see a couple 3s go down in the 1Q of Game 5. I really think it’s that simple b/c he is still very engaged when he is on the bench and was clapping, high diving, and smiling during the stretch run of the game yesterday. I do wonder if the ankle is coming into play as well. But all in all, I hope he gets himself going.
What a Weekend!
Next Level Brunson, RJ, Mitch, Hart, I-Hart and of course THIBs leading the way. LOVE THIS TEAM!
3-1
FINISH THESE CAVs!
I truly enjoy this amazing 2022-2023 NYKnicks team as my beloved basketball family. I’m watching this season’s journey like the parent - loving the Knicks’ personalities, their strong characters and their development as NBA players and teammates!
And one thought came up as I read this newsletter, imagine if Knicks didn’t re-sign Mitchell Robinson, like Cuban / Dallas Mavericks didn’t re-sign Jalen Brunson?!
And I expect Knicks to win Game 5 and the series! I’m happy the Knicks are on their way to “shock” the world, as RJ Barrett stated in the preseason.
Although four years of data would have us pump the brakes on Barrett's coronation, it was an absolute pleasure to see the team effort put together by the Knicks this weekend. Not as skilled or efficient as the golden era of the late 60's and early 70's, but tremendously satisfying. Truly gratifying to see the younger players play put so much effort into defense. Interesting side comment elsewhere about Cleveland playing their starters 38-40 minutes, because their bench was depleted by the Mitchell trade. Thanks for admirably, and painfully, describing the angst all Knick fans felt in the early 3rd.
Jon that was beautiful. A few years younger then you I felt those exact same emotions throughout the game. The PTSD is real. Maybe, just maybe we can listen to Andrew and start talking our shit.
Lots of good thoughts in the newsletter and above. I am going to just reiterate the one praising Thibs. The offensive adjustment to get the smalls setting the picks instead of the bigs, the defensive strategy on Mitchell and in game defensive adjustments and even moves we never thought were in his bag like not reinserting Randle and closing with Obi. I was very impressed.
Fallow! Thesaurus working overtime in the playoffs!
RJ Barrett, the prince that was promised.
I’ve got 10 yrs on ya and can relate to the PTSD. For some reason I’ve believed in this team however. At least since the Josh Hart acquisition this has felt different. It’s felt like a team truly playing like a team and the Cavs have never scared me. We’re not facing Shaq & Kobe here. I’m giving all my stars off the game to Thibs. He finally stood up to Julius and allowed the hot hands to stay hot. That’s what we’ve always been asking for. We don’t have the superstar, but what we do have is a collective that’s better than what you have. That’s our differentiator. If we have pre-set minute rotations and don’t allow for what the game is showing us... than we’re less special. Last... a request for the KFS crew to look for different words than the often repeated “step on their necks”. With the awful police brutality too often in the news this takes me to an uncomfortable place and suspect I’m not alone. Thanks guys. Love the pod and content.
Thibs being Thibs, is one of those sayings that can go either way but I've come to realize, to me, it's always a good thing. This Knicks team has been "grinded down" by this coach all year, several years for some players. And it's showing in this series. Watching this team during the first 4 games, I'm not seeing anything new, sure guys are playing harder but this team has been playing hard all year and they've been playing the way Thibs wants them to and you can see it's in their DNA. There is no switch to be flipped for the playoffs, it's on and always will be for a Thibs team. I've taken this coach for granted since last seasons disaster but no more, he's my coach, he's our coach. Thibs will be Thibs.
“Brunson’s shot-making continues to hover between ridiculous and absurd, like a glitch in the Matrix” 👏
Thrilled for RJ, but Brunson is so clearly the glue that holds this whole thing together. What a talent and what a leader. 💙🧡
Frankly, I think the last two games have been very, very revealing, but in an unexpected way. I will admit, that like the dean of Knicks Film School, I have not been high on RJ. But not for the reasons that people who are RJ fans would think. I just didn’t see the fit. Three ball dominant guys doesn’t seem to work. And neither Randle or RJ could ego wise play primarily second team minutes.
Given Randle’s season, it was hard to see how he should be the guy who lost opportunities. That said, given Randle’s play in this series, RJ has been getting the opportunities and has shown why he was drafted as high as he was. There are real holes in his game, but the thing he does really well, he does better than most of the players in this league. Those holes need to improve if he is going to be the best version of RJ, but he is only 22.
That said, I do think the last two games clearly demonstrate that RJ is held down by playing with two other ball dominant players. This is clearly an off-season issue, but has changed my perspective on the possible composition of the team going forward. In a similar way to how Obi has been held back by fit issues, I think RJ has been too. That probably has to change if he is going to reach his ceiling. I think it presents a real challenge, and opportunity, to the Knick front office (and probably the coach as well).