Jan 16, 2023·edited Jan 16, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri
Jon, great post. I missed the postgame yesterday so someone may have mentioned this - but what about the potential of bringing back Alex Burks?? We know Thibs trusts him (which would at least make 7 guys he trusts on the roster).
They could send DRose and Detroit's own protected first back to them - that pick is worth a lot more to them than it is to us. It's heavily protected, but Detroit can't trade a first round pick until 2027 because it is owed to NYK, protected 1-18 in '23 & '24, and 1-14 in '25. Just a thought. Burks is a guy who can hit a three, knows the basics of our offense, defend wings, and as long as he wasn't tasked with running the offense... could be a nice piece.
Putting all that money on KP doesn't make sense for me. You'd have to become an entirely different team with KP at the 5. Better to spend it on a strong 3&D player, like Anunoby or Bey.
Detroit hit a bunch of threes just to keep them in the game. It never felt like they could win.
I think your Rotation Reflections is the answer to the Big Picture question, ie it is really hard to maintain a lead with a six man rotation, if for no other reason than exhaustion. The issue is that the drop off between the 6th player and 7-9 is so great that when they play as a group, the lack of scoring is becoming an issue. Thibs used to play the starters and then the bench as separate units. That doesn't work given the scoring deficiencies of 7-9 (10).
They either need to trade for a 7th (and 8th?) guy, use Toppin differently so that he can score (I don't see how him hanging in the corner makes any sense?), or sprinkle 7-9 in with three of the top six players consistently just to give the starters a blow. Thibs has been doing some of the latter recently.
For me, it is no on KP.
And can someone tell Barrett to stop posing after he shoots a three? Nothing more frustrating to see him standing there after a short shot and missing an easy, easy rebound of his miss. Or not getting back on defense due to the flexing mini pose under the basket after a drive. Or the pose at the refs after he doesn't get the foul call. Someone needs to remind him that he is not the best player on his AAU team anymore. /rant
Another great newsletter Jonathan -- thank you! I have two thoughts after reading. One is, do you think that the style of defense they play (whether intentional or not), essentially playing tough D below the arc but then leaving the shooter relatively open behind the three-point line and running at the shooter, is to blame for their late game collapses? It seems other teams come furiously back due to a flurry of open threes.
Second, I never understood who the hell was counseling KP (actually I know who, it was his ego-puffed brother) but here was a young guy, who was a beloved young star, playing for an iconic franchise (I didn’t say successful) and yet he was sullen and withdrawn that last season. Why? He was treated as the franchise, the team wanted to build around him and his career was seemingly pointed upward (other than the constant injuries). Why then be such an insolent ass?
For that reason alone I’d be leery of bringing him back. But mainly being constantly injured as a 24-year old does not bode well for a 28-year old. Pass please.
We are 3 games out of the 2 seed. We have a winning record on the road. We lost the Dallas game on a ridiculous play by Luka. We lost the Bulls game due to 2 improbable free throw misses by Brunson. We could have won both games and could be tied for 5th with the Cavs. Imagine the dialogue it we are both 27-17. Brunson outplayed Mitchell in the playoffs last year. Is the dialogue that Brunson is actually better than Donovan?
There could be more upside to come. Our problems are that we are struggling at home (where most teams usually have a winning record) and the bench isn't playing well. These seem like fixable problems. If we can fix the bench, we have a good chance of playing better at home and establishing a winning record because road teams normally don't expect to win. The way things are going, it's not inconceivable that we finish the season with a better record than the Cavs. How would you like them apples.
The non-IQ portion of the bench consists of Deuce, Obi, and Hart who are not producing satisfactorily. We have seen Sims play well this year (in non-double big scenarios). We have seen Cam play well for the most part this year. We saw Fournier set the Knicks 3 point record last year. Obi was playing well before he got injured.
It's possible that we may need a trade to upgrade the bench. But, before we give up draft capital, I think Thibs should consider some changes:
1) Thibs and the front office need to admit that Sims has played better than Hart this year. The defensive drop off from Mitch to Hart is significant. Hart has more offensive upside than Sims but he isn't delivering on offense. If the defense is upgraded by replacing Hart with Sims, we may be fine with IQ and RJ carrying the scoring load.
2) When Julius was out last year, we saw Obi have huge scoring games playing together with Sims. Removing Hart could activate Obi.
3) Thibs may hate Cam and the front office may be trying to trade him but I thought Cam played well in spurts for us this year. If Deuce continues to struggle offensively, I wouldn't mind giving Cam another shot to run with the bench. I think it would also help IQ be the clear point guard when Brunson is off the floor. We aren't going to get much back in a trade and Cam could be a possible upgrade. We can always come back to Deuce if it doesn't work. He's still going to compete on defense and it's not possible for him to provide less on offense.
If none of this works, I'm ok giving up one of our restricted FRP's for another bench wing. I would prefer to trade Detroit its restricted FRP and Svi for Saddiq Bey. I think Bey is a bit overrated as a 3 and D wing but he would be an upgrade to Deuce and provide some more size than Gordon or Beasley. He is from the Brunson / Arciadiacono Villanova culture and it's possible his defensive effort improves when he's not playing for the pistons.
Jan 16, 2023·edited Jan 17, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri
I have to admit that I was someone who was all about conserving all our assets for our "star trade" down the line. However, I have started to come around to the thought that this team should and needs to supplement the bench, because after all, it seems like #Wearegood and #Wehere.
Now I don't think we should get into the Bogdanovic bidding war and cough of the price that it will most likely be required to pay for him (as he is most likely the best role player piece out there). But, there are still plenty of options that would work on our roster. I would like to add that the re-emergence of IQ and his hopefully continued stable play at the PG position in non-Brunson minutes, gives the FO flexibility in terms of who they can pursue (they don't need to lock into the idea of getting that back-up PG).
Some of the guys I am eyeing our Eric Gordon, Josh Richardson, and Malik Beasley, who all have unique skill sets that would slot into our rotation well, and are all players you could scale up in terms of their roles in in-game situations (all could give you 30 mins a night if needed). All 3 can shoot, and to varying degrees score off the dribble. Gordon and Richardson can defend at decent levels when they want to, and Beasley is a flamethrower who defenses need to take into account to a very high degree. Another guy that I am really intrigued by is Caruso. While he may not quench the scoring thirst of our bench like the other 3 guys, the idea of Caruso's incredible POA defense playing alongside IQ and Grimes sounds downright unfair. He probably would cost the most of the 4 options, but imagine trying to score against an IQ-Grimes-Caruso 1-3 at the end of games. They may be small, but I doubt that it would matter. Beyond these 4, guys like Terrance Ross come to mind as other targets. I can't see them going after the likes of Kuzma, but GTJ is one I'd like to see them inquire about (I have wanted GTJ on the Knicks since his Portland days). It will be fascinating to see how they approach this deadline, even more so then in 20-21, since they have more going for them now, both on the court, and off it asset wise.
Jon - hoping the wife and fam get well soon! Good man for doing the right thing - prioritizing them today! Btw, do you prefer Jon or Jonathan?
As much as I love shooting, and would therefore love a KP reunion, I’m just not seeing the fit. He can’t replace Ju, who’s playing out of his mind; he can’t replace Mitch because defense; could he possibly play SF? And is he a better option than, for example, chasing Bol Bol, who actually can play SF, with a Brinks truck? I desperately want us to chase Bol Bol with a Brinks truck, btw.
Maybe a higher priority is backup PG. Deuce is, sadly, not the answer. He looks more timid every game, and his monster shooting in the D League just isn’t translating. And we cannot keep playing JB 40 minutes a game. If Alex Caruso really is available - which if I were Chicago there is no way I’m trading him - I think we have to think long and hard about acquiring his contract. The bench instantly becomes an order of magnitude better. If we can also find a way to trade for Bol Bol and start him with RJ coming off the bench to feast on second unit wings - that’s a scary good team right there, methinks.
Oy, KP. It was pretty clear at the time that his brother was not guiding him well. Though it was also clear that Phil was making a mess of the entire roster. An alternate Knicks timeline that would be fun to go down is what if the Knicks let Melo go to Chicago in 2014 (or ya know, traded him and got some picks back?!). It would've been KP's team from the jump, we'd have had a lot of cap room and high draft picks. I'll pass on the KP reunion tour though. This is like when things are going well in your life and your toxic ex notices and sends a late night text message. No thanks, KP!
I think there is some sincerity from KP in those comments. I think it's a case of the grass being greener. While the Knicks were not winning while he was there KP was about (or already was...I can't remember) to be the face of the franchise. He was their focal point. All of that changed when he was traded to Dallas...but his brother was in his ear. I'm sure KP was unhappy about things but his brother was pulling the strings. KP had no backbone. I'm guessing there were things he wasn't happy about but he didn't necessarily want out. He should have handled it himself...maybe then he's still on team. Not sure how he'd fit now. I proposed a trade of Randle for KP in your newsletter when Randle was rock bottom...you shot that down...lol...you were right! If they somehow were to get him back...does Mitch become the back up center in name...but you figure out how to get them enough minutes where they are both happy? It might be possible since Mitch doesn't always have to play big minutes.
Is there anyone who wants Porzingis back in a Knicks uniform? It struck me how old and laboring KP looked in the recent game. Perhaps it is in contrast to the kid we all feel in love with as the hopeful savior but I would not touch that guy on a new contract. The interview was a good reminder that he was really a kid back when all the NYK dream happened. He clearly did have a lot of voices in his ear and his brother seemed a classic hanger on. You could easily see clowns like Steve Mills and Scott Perry overreacting in response. Just an ugly situation, good for nobody that should serve as an appreciation moment for where we are now as an org.
I was thinking the same thing as Sean, a guy who hits the three, can ballhandle adequately next to IQ and plays D, if not Deuce level D. I was surprised to find he is a better life time three point shooter than Eric Gordon (and much better this year).
I don't think I would give up that first round pick though. I expect it to convey at some point. Multiple seconds, certainly though that might not get him.
I also like Burks and am hearing Alex Caruso rumors. Obviously, either eliminates McBride from the rotation but also adds to wins this season. The balancing act between long-term and this season is difficult.
Jon, great post. I missed the postgame yesterday so someone may have mentioned this - but what about the potential of bringing back Alex Burks?? We know Thibs trusts him (which would at least make 7 guys he trusts on the roster).
They could send DRose and Detroit's own protected first back to them - that pick is worth a lot more to them than it is to us. It's heavily protected, but Detroit can't trade a first round pick until 2027 because it is owed to NYK, protected 1-18 in '23 & '24, and 1-14 in '25. Just a thought. Burks is a guy who can hit a three, knows the basics of our offense, defend wings, and as long as he wasn't tasked with running the offense... could be a nice piece.
KP doesn't fit for many reasons but none more than he cant play physical bully ball that's become the calling card of this team
Putting all that money on KP doesn't make sense for me. You'd have to become an entirely different team with KP at the 5. Better to spend it on a strong 3&D player, like Anunoby or Bey.
Detroit hit a bunch of threes just to keep them in the game. It never felt like they could win.
I think your Rotation Reflections is the answer to the Big Picture question, ie it is really hard to maintain a lead with a six man rotation, if for no other reason than exhaustion. The issue is that the drop off between the 6th player and 7-9 is so great that when they play as a group, the lack of scoring is becoming an issue. Thibs used to play the starters and then the bench as separate units. That doesn't work given the scoring deficiencies of 7-9 (10).
They either need to trade for a 7th (and 8th?) guy, use Toppin differently so that he can score (I don't see how him hanging in the corner makes any sense?), or sprinkle 7-9 in with three of the top six players consistently just to give the starters a blow. Thibs has been doing some of the latter recently.
For me, it is no on KP.
And can someone tell Barrett to stop posing after he shoots a three? Nothing more frustrating to see him standing there after a short shot and missing an easy, easy rebound of his miss. Or not getting back on defense due to the flexing mini pose under the basket after a drive. Or the pose at the refs after he doesn't get the foul call. Someone needs to remind him that he is not the best player on his AAU team anymore. /rant
Another great newsletter Jonathan -- thank you! I have two thoughts after reading. One is, do you think that the style of defense they play (whether intentional or not), essentially playing tough D below the arc but then leaving the shooter relatively open behind the three-point line and running at the shooter, is to blame for their late game collapses? It seems other teams come furiously back due to a flurry of open threes.
Second, I never understood who the hell was counseling KP (actually I know who, it was his ego-puffed brother) but here was a young guy, who was a beloved young star, playing for an iconic franchise (I didn’t say successful) and yet he was sullen and withdrawn that last season. Why? He was treated as the franchise, the team wanted to build around him and his career was seemingly pointed upward (other than the constant injuries). Why then be such an insolent ass?
For that reason alone I’d be leery of bringing him back. But mainly being constantly injured as a 24-year old does not bode well for a 28-year old. Pass please.
Jon -
Is it possible you are being too negative?
We are 3 games out of the 2 seed. We have a winning record on the road. We lost the Dallas game on a ridiculous play by Luka. We lost the Bulls game due to 2 improbable free throw misses by Brunson. We could have won both games and could be tied for 5th with the Cavs. Imagine the dialogue it we are both 27-17. Brunson outplayed Mitchell in the playoffs last year. Is the dialogue that Brunson is actually better than Donovan?
There could be more upside to come. Our problems are that we are struggling at home (where most teams usually have a winning record) and the bench isn't playing well. These seem like fixable problems. If we can fix the bench, we have a good chance of playing better at home and establishing a winning record because road teams normally don't expect to win. The way things are going, it's not inconceivable that we finish the season with a better record than the Cavs. How would you like them apples.
The non-IQ portion of the bench consists of Deuce, Obi, and Hart who are not producing satisfactorily. We have seen Sims play well this year (in non-double big scenarios). We have seen Cam play well for the most part this year. We saw Fournier set the Knicks 3 point record last year. Obi was playing well before he got injured.
It's possible that we may need a trade to upgrade the bench. But, before we give up draft capital, I think Thibs should consider some changes:
1) Thibs and the front office need to admit that Sims has played better than Hart this year. The defensive drop off from Mitch to Hart is significant. Hart has more offensive upside than Sims but he isn't delivering on offense. If the defense is upgraded by replacing Hart with Sims, we may be fine with IQ and RJ carrying the scoring load.
2) When Julius was out last year, we saw Obi have huge scoring games playing together with Sims. Removing Hart could activate Obi.
3) Thibs may hate Cam and the front office may be trying to trade him but I thought Cam played well in spurts for us this year. If Deuce continues to struggle offensively, I wouldn't mind giving Cam another shot to run with the bench. I think it would also help IQ be the clear point guard when Brunson is off the floor. We aren't going to get much back in a trade and Cam could be a possible upgrade. We can always come back to Deuce if it doesn't work. He's still going to compete on defense and it's not possible for him to provide less on offense.
If none of this works, I'm ok giving up one of our restricted FRP's for another bench wing. I would prefer to trade Detroit its restricted FRP and Svi for Saddiq Bey. I think Bey is a bit overrated as a 3 and D wing but he would be an upgrade to Deuce and provide some more size than Gordon or Beasley. He is from the Brunson / Arciadiacono Villanova culture and it's possible his defensive effort improves when he's not playing for the pistons.
I have to admit that I was someone who was all about conserving all our assets for our "star trade" down the line. However, I have started to come around to the thought that this team should and needs to supplement the bench, because after all, it seems like #Wearegood and #Wehere.
Now I don't think we should get into the Bogdanovic bidding war and cough of the price that it will most likely be required to pay for him (as he is most likely the best role player piece out there). But, there are still plenty of options that would work on our roster. I would like to add that the re-emergence of IQ and his hopefully continued stable play at the PG position in non-Brunson minutes, gives the FO flexibility in terms of who they can pursue (they don't need to lock into the idea of getting that back-up PG).
Some of the guys I am eyeing our Eric Gordon, Josh Richardson, and Malik Beasley, who all have unique skill sets that would slot into our rotation well, and are all players you could scale up in terms of their roles in in-game situations (all could give you 30 mins a night if needed). All 3 can shoot, and to varying degrees score off the dribble. Gordon and Richardson can defend at decent levels when they want to, and Beasley is a flamethrower who defenses need to take into account to a very high degree. Another guy that I am really intrigued by is Caruso. While he may not quench the scoring thirst of our bench like the other 3 guys, the idea of Caruso's incredible POA defense playing alongside IQ and Grimes sounds downright unfair. He probably would cost the most of the 4 options, but imagine trying to score against an IQ-Grimes-Caruso 1-3 at the end of games. They may be small, but I doubt that it would matter. Beyond these 4, guys like Terrance Ross come to mind as other targets. I can't see them going after the likes of Kuzma, but GTJ is one I'd like to see them inquire about (I have wanted GTJ on the Knicks since his Portland days). It will be fascinating to see how they approach this deadline, even more so then in 20-21, since they have more going for them now, both on the court, and off it asset wise.
Jon - hoping the wife and fam get well soon! Good man for doing the right thing - prioritizing them today! Btw, do you prefer Jon or Jonathan?
As much as I love shooting, and would therefore love a KP reunion, I’m just not seeing the fit. He can’t replace Ju, who’s playing out of his mind; he can’t replace Mitch because defense; could he possibly play SF? And is he a better option than, for example, chasing Bol Bol, who actually can play SF, with a Brinks truck? I desperately want us to chase Bol Bol with a Brinks truck, btw.
Maybe a higher priority is backup PG. Deuce is, sadly, not the answer. He looks more timid every game, and his monster shooting in the D League just isn’t translating. And we cannot keep playing JB 40 minutes a game. If Alex Caruso really is available - which if I were Chicago there is no way I’m trading him - I think we have to think long and hard about acquiring his contract. The bench instantly becomes an order of magnitude better. If we can also find a way to trade for Bol Bol and start him with RJ coming off the bench to feast on second unit wings - that’s a scary good team right there, methinks.
Take care and all the best to the fam
Oy, KP. It was pretty clear at the time that his brother was not guiding him well. Though it was also clear that Phil was making a mess of the entire roster. An alternate Knicks timeline that would be fun to go down is what if the Knicks let Melo go to Chicago in 2014 (or ya know, traded him and got some picks back?!). It would've been KP's team from the jump, we'd have had a lot of cap room and high draft picks. I'll pass on the KP reunion tour though. This is like when things are going well in your life and your toxic ex notices and sends a late night text message. No thanks, KP!
I think there is some sincerity from KP in those comments. I think it's a case of the grass being greener. While the Knicks were not winning while he was there KP was about (or already was...I can't remember) to be the face of the franchise. He was their focal point. All of that changed when he was traded to Dallas...but his brother was in his ear. I'm sure KP was unhappy about things but his brother was pulling the strings. KP had no backbone. I'm guessing there were things he wasn't happy about but he didn't necessarily want out. He should have handled it himself...maybe then he's still on team. Not sure how he'd fit now. I proposed a trade of Randle for KP in your newsletter when Randle was rock bottom...you shot that down...lol...you were right! If they somehow were to get him back...does Mitch become the back up center in name...but you figure out how to get them enough minutes where they are both happy? It might be possible since Mitch doesn't always have to play big minutes.
Is there anyone who wants Porzingis back in a Knicks uniform? It struck me how old and laboring KP looked in the recent game. Perhaps it is in contrast to the kid we all feel in love with as the hopeful savior but I would not touch that guy on a new contract. The interview was a good reminder that he was really a kid back when all the NYK dream happened. He clearly did have a lot of voices in his ear and his brother seemed a classic hanger on. You could easily see clowns like Steve Mills and Scott Perry overreacting in response. Just an ugly situation, good for nobody that should serve as an appreciation moment for where we are now as an org.
I was thinking the same thing as Sean, a guy who hits the three, can ballhandle adequately next to IQ and plays D, if not Deuce level D. I was surprised to find he is a better life time three point shooter than Eric Gordon (and much better this year).
I don't think I would give up that first round pick though. I expect it to convey at some point. Multiple seconds, certainly though that might not get him.
I also like Burks and am hearing Alex Caruso rumors. Obviously, either eliminates McBride from the rotation but also adds to wins this season. The balancing act between long-term and this season is difficult.