I said it after the Grizzlies game and I will say it again: wins like that bond these guys together. Even if it doesn’t lead to anything this season, the stronger the bonds are, the higher the chance of success is down the line.
Finally, that OG performance was LOUD, but I want to shout out a quieter part: he was great on the glass - we need to keep seeing that.
Mitch Robinson has reminded me these two past games how special of a defensive player and rebounder he is. If he can stay healthy and OG can be consistent defensively as we saw last night, the Knicks will definitely be a tough out in the playoffs.
PS—it would be awesome to pick up Kessler in the off-season but whatever package they plan to offer, they should also offer OKC for iHart.
He was a different player in Miami last night after making that huge, game winning, 3 to close out Memphis and February. You could see his confidence grow on both ends of the court last night. The D was next level, but he was also a major factor on O, lighter on his feet, shirt untucked, moving to open space for 3s, taking the ball to the rack and space for that late game saving put back.
Here’s to staying healthy in March, April, May and June. We are a different team with Mitch back and a confident OG!
I couldn’t believe what I was watching with OG last night. It was like the whole team went out on South Beach and OG stayed in at the hotel watching Tyler Herro film. I stood up out of my chair on the play where he swallowed Highsmith on the sideline. Also, look at Deuce on the last play you clipped. Herro rises up and Deuce spins around and stares hopelessly at the rim to see if Herro’s three goes in. He then is stunned when Herro doesnt get a shot off, but still perfectly tracks down Mitchell and contests at the rim.
Last thing - KAT with the worst efficient 19-16 in nba history?
One more thought - tonight, we saw the genius Coach Spo do the thing Knicks Twitter screams at Thibs to do … refuse to swap 3s for 2s, take out a rim protecting Big (Ware) and bring in shooting. Arguably, it cost them the game. I’d like folks to remember that the next time Thibs doesn’t do the thing we all think is the obvious fix. Just because doing X fails, it doesn’t mean that doing Y would have necessarily worked.
But wait, Jon, this write-up implies that our beloved Coach Thibs, the man on automatic whose rotations are programmed from birth, made a defensive adjustment in the second half??? And he sat a starter? Are you sure he wasn’t kidnapped and replaced?
FWIW - I sent two messages in to the Substack towards the end of the game. Both were the same word. With 3-4 minutes left, it became clear the team knew deep down that they could win. They know who they are in the final minutes in close games. They have confidence and a bedrock sense of self. That feeling maintained through the end of the game.
I think Thibs may be reading the comments section in this Substack! Is he a subscriber :)? As much Deuce as we've seen the last 2 games !! Finally leaning into the lineups that have produced stupendous numbers all season... Mitch's return has had immediate impact everywhere he has exceled in the past and it will only get better as he gets his legs under him. And what else can we say about OG Anunoby? He locked down Jaren Jackson, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo in back to back games. Not sure you can find me any other players around the league who can take on those 3 assignments and get those results. When OG is engaged and hitting shots, his defense becomes even better. We NEED this level of play from him. It is almost like a light that switches on and he hits a new level. Great teams win the games they shouldn't, and both Friday night + last night were examples of that. Huge stretch of games coming up now. Can feel the confidence of the team growing. We have the best closer in the game this season. And how about KAT as a help defender yesterday? Not too bad !! This is a fun team with the potential to do special things. Next two months need to be focused on building towards that goal. Once Bridges gets right, who knows what will be next?
Loved the postgame monologue, and you’re absolutely right about this team deserving of every fan’s attention!
It hasn’t all come together yet, but you can see so many aspects of a championship team, or at least a team that Boston and Cleveland will be up at night thinking about come June. The confidence from winning these close games will snowball in the playoffs, and over the next 22 games, I’m positive the rotations will get ironed out. (Hopefully, with Miles getting 25+ minutes). The offense is definitely elite, but I’m more interested in once the game slows down and possessions are valued more in the playoffs. Who is going to score against this team late in the game, when Thibs goes with Deuce, Bridges, Hart, OG & Mitch. GOOD LUCK!
Thanks so much Chris! I think for a team that is 40-20, there's a LOT of valid curiosity left about a bunch of stuff between now and mid-April. Hopefully they get things really rolling before the playoffs arrive.
Glad Thibs shook up closing lineup. He needs to do it based on quality of play game by game . Hart’s defense was pretty bad on Burks giving up multiple open 3s
What a night! Watched the rollercoaster of a game, getting excited in the 3rd as we cut a 19 point deficit to 6 (had it to 3) at the end of the quarter, only to see it grow again to double digits in the 4th. Then the amazing comeback in the 4th & finally winning it in OT. (Sidebar-in Thibs playbook, does he have any out of bounds plays, other than throw it in to Jalen?). one of the best wins of the year! I set the DVR for Knicks Postgame & then went to watch the Oscars from the beginning on DVR (the best way to watch, fast forwarding through awards I don't care about) & then the last half hour live (Timothee & Demi got screwed!)! Then watched Knicks Postgame, was motivated to again watch the 4th quarter & OT & then went to KFS Postgame with Jon. This had to be after midnight! Watched I guess the first half of Jon's postgame, fell asleep & then woke up at 3:45 AM to Jon answering JewAnon's question if Hart was the best Knicks trade of all time (It was DeBusschere) & then realized this wasn't the current postgame. Went back to the current postgame, fast forwarded to the point I remembered & watched it until the end (around 5:05 AM! lol). Then fell asleep! lol (and no Jon, it wasn't you, it was just this old guy has a struggle to sleep some nights, until exhaustion knocks me out unexpectedly!)
Knicks have 3 roster spots open, 2 10 day & 1 minimum contract. Not sure if any of the players brought in will be eligible for the playoffs (I've read conflicting reports). Seems Moses Brown is a leader for a 10 day & since TJ Warren can't sign a 10 day, he'd have to take on the minimum. (Okeke can't sign a 10 day either!) I would think we'll hear something today, since they'll have 3 games in 4 days with a west coast flight in the middle & back2back's vs the Lakers & Clippers. As Jon said on last night's postgame, only the 8th Knicks team in history to go 40-20 (1969-70 Knicks 48-12-what a team!), so it is something to savor as a Knicks fan!
Bill this made my day....really glad you dig the postgames, although I'm sorry to hear that you (like me) have trouble sleeping. It's the thing that bothers me the most about getting older. Never realized how much I took good nights of sleep for granted.
Really good teams have an air of confidence about them. No matter what is going on, how poorly they start out, or how dire the situation- they calmly and methodically work their way back in it and get the victory. The Knicks title teams had it, the Russell Celtics also. I remember some player describing the old Knicks as arrogant because they knew-no matter what- they were going to win. These last 2 wins felt like that. Until they start bearing the 3 teams in front of them they're not there, but I can see it happening.
The difference for a while was Ware being a temo Wemby. It's great as always to beat Miami but I've been annoyed at Ware getting drafted by Miami for months and am prepared to be annoyed by him for years.
This OG recap and James Edwards' article about Mitchell Robinson has me more optimistic about this team than I have in a while.
I still think KAT is going to be a very difficult player to win with, but if OG can play defense at this level with consistency and Mitch can work his way back towards 100% than we will be better positioned to at least challenge the contenders.
Untucked OG is up there with Hoodie Melo in the NBA alter ego universe. I appreciated that he stayed untucked even after timeouts. My guy was feeling loose.
0) The second half was reminiscent of the Memphis game. The first half was reminiscent of the Celtics/Cavs game. Has KFS ever doled out negative stars? Can we give one to KAT?
1) When was the last time Knicks convincingly won a first quarter? I'm concerned by the slow starts.
2) When can we start seeing Mitch and KAT play together again as maybe potential starters?
3) Who tapped JB's butt during the post game interview? It's tradition. We don't break tradition
4) What did OG say to Herro during crunch time as Herro was dribbling the ball to half court and got an 8 second violation?
I said it after the Grizzlies game and I will say it again: wins like that bond these guys together. Even if it doesn’t lead to anything this season, the stronger the bonds are, the higher the chance of success is down the line.
Finally, that OG performance was LOUD, but I want to shout out a quieter part: he was great on the glass - we need to keep seeing that.
Mitch Robinson has reminded me these two past games how special of a defensive player and rebounder he is. If he can stay healthy and OG can be consistent defensively as we saw last night, the Knicks will definitely be a tough out in the playoffs.
PS—it would be awesome to pick up Kessler in the off-season but whatever package they plan to offer, they should also offer OKC for iHart.
What a weekend for OG!
He was a different player in Miami last night after making that huge, game winning, 3 to close out Memphis and February. You could see his confidence grow on both ends of the court last night. The D was next level, but he was also a major factor on O, lighter on his feet, shirt untucked, moving to open space for 3s, taking the ball to the rack and space for that late game saving put back.
Here’s to staying healthy in March, April, May and June. We are a different team with Mitch back and a confident OG!
Go NY, Go NY, Go
I thought so too. OG seemed a different player due to that game winner in Memphis.
I couldn’t believe what I was watching with OG last night. It was like the whole team went out on South Beach and OG stayed in at the hotel watching Tyler Herro film. I stood up out of my chair on the play where he swallowed Highsmith on the sideline. Also, look at Deuce on the last play you clipped. Herro rises up and Deuce spins around and stares hopelessly at the rim to see if Herro’s three goes in. He then is stunned when Herro doesnt get a shot off, but still perfectly tracks down Mitchell and contests at the rim.
Last thing - KAT with the worst efficient 19-16 in nba history?
Can we really call is the “worst efficient” if he only took 11 shots?
I felt it was a quieter 19/16 than we’ve saw from him much of the season.
I meant that he was incredibly efficient, yet it felt like he didn’t belong on the court
Makes sense. I was just surprised to see his stat line after the game, personally.
Shocked. A purported Knicks newsletter and no mention of of Alec Burke.😉
LOL that was my bad. The dude was awesome.
One more thought - tonight, we saw the genius Coach Spo do the thing Knicks Twitter screams at Thibs to do … refuse to swap 3s for 2s, take out a rim protecting Big (Ware) and bring in shooting. Arguably, it cost them the game. I’d like folks to remember that the next time Thibs doesn’t do the thing we all think is the obvious fix. Just because doing X fails, it doesn’t mean that doing Y would have necessarily worked.
HOW DARE YOU, BEN...HOW DARE YOU
Exactly. They’ve been starting two non-spacing bigs plus Davion Mitchell.
But wait, Jon, this write-up implies that our beloved Coach Thibs, the man on automatic whose rotations are programmed from birth, made a defensive adjustment in the second half??? And he sat a starter? Are you sure he wasn’t kidnapped and replaced?
FWIW - I sent two messages in to the Substack towards the end of the game. Both were the same word. With 3-4 minutes left, it became clear the team knew deep down that they could win. They know who they are in the final minutes in close games. They have confidence and a bedrock sense of self. That feeling maintained through the end of the game.
The one word message: Believe
The inspiration I needed to get me through this Tuesday morning!
I think Thibs may be reading the comments section in this Substack! Is he a subscriber :)? As much Deuce as we've seen the last 2 games !! Finally leaning into the lineups that have produced stupendous numbers all season... Mitch's return has had immediate impact everywhere he has exceled in the past and it will only get better as he gets his legs under him. And what else can we say about OG Anunoby? He locked down Jaren Jackson, Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo in back to back games. Not sure you can find me any other players around the league who can take on those 3 assignments and get those results. When OG is engaged and hitting shots, his defense becomes even better. We NEED this level of play from him. It is almost like a light that switches on and he hits a new level. Great teams win the games they shouldn't, and both Friday night + last night were examples of that. Huge stretch of games coming up now. Can feel the confidence of the team growing. We have the best closer in the game this season. And how about KAT as a help defender yesterday? Not too bad !! This is a fun team with the potential to do special things. Next two months need to be focused on building towards that goal. Once Bridges gets right, who knows what will be next?
Jon,
Loved the postgame monologue, and you’re absolutely right about this team deserving of every fan’s attention!
It hasn’t all come together yet, but you can see so many aspects of a championship team, or at least a team that Boston and Cleveland will be up at night thinking about come June. The confidence from winning these close games will snowball in the playoffs, and over the next 22 games, I’m positive the rotations will get ironed out. (Hopefully, with Miles getting 25+ minutes). The offense is definitely elite, but I’m more interested in once the game slows down and possessions are valued more in the playoffs. Who is going to score against this team late in the game, when Thibs goes with Deuce, Bridges, Hart, OG & Mitch. GOOD LUCK!
The next few months are going to be fun!
Keep up the great work!
Thanks so much Chris! I think for a team that is 40-20, there's a LOT of valid curiosity left about a bunch of stuff between now and mid-April. Hopefully they get things really rolling before the playoffs arrive.
Glad Thibs shook up closing lineup. He needs to do it based on quality of play game by game . Hart’s defense was pretty bad on Burks giving up multiple open 3s
Sadly been par for the course for Hart this season.
What a night! Watched the rollercoaster of a game, getting excited in the 3rd as we cut a 19 point deficit to 6 (had it to 3) at the end of the quarter, only to see it grow again to double digits in the 4th. Then the amazing comeback in the 4th & finally winning it in OT. (Sidebar-in Thibs playbook, does he have any out of bounds plays, other than throw it in to Jalen?). one of the best wins of the year! I set the DVR for Knicks Postgame & then went to watch the Oscars from the beginning on DVR (the best way to watch, fast forwarding through awards I don't care about) & then the last half hour live (Timothee & Demi got screwed!)! Then watched Knicks Postgame, was motivated to again watch the 4th quarter & OT & then went to KFS Postgame with Jon. This had to be after midnight! Watched I guess the first half of Jon's postgame, fell asleep & then woke up at 3:45 AM to Jon answering JewAnon's question if Hart was the best Knicks trade of all time (It was DeBusschere) & then realized this wasn't the current postgame. Went back to the current postgame, fast forwarded to the point I remembered & watched it until the end (around 5:05 AM! lol). Then fell asleep! lol (and no Jon, it wasn't you, it was just this old guy has a struggle to sleep some nights, until exhaustion knocks me out unexpectedly!)
Knicks have 3 roster spots open, 2 10 day & 1 minimum contract. Not sure if any of the players brought in will be eligible for the playoffs (I've read conflicting reports). Seems Moses Brown is a leader for a 10 day & since TJ Warren can't sign a 10 day, he'd have to take on the minimum. (Okeke can't sign a 10 day either!) I would think we'll hear something today, since they'll have 3 games in 4 days with a west coast flight in the middle & back2back's vs the Lakers & Clippers. As Jon said on last night's postgame, only the 8th Knicks team in history to go 40-20 (1969-70 Knicks 48-12-what a team!), so it is something to savor as a Knicks fan!
Bill this made my day....really glad you dig the postgames, although I'm sorry to hear that you (like me) have trouble sleeping. It's the thing that bothers me the most about getting older. Never realized how much I took good nights of sleep for granted.
Yes. OG beat Paul George for a dunk on a SLOB
Really good teams have an air of confidence about them. No matter what is going on, how poorly they start out, or how dire the situation- they calmly and methodically work their way back in it and get the victory. The Knicks title teams had it, the Russell Celtics also. I remember some player describing the old Knicks as arrogant because they knew-no matter what- they were going to win. These last 2 wins felt like that. Until they start bearing the 3 teams in front of them they're not there, but I can see it happening.
And how about Mitchell Robinson!
Beating. Not bearing.
The difference for a while was Ware being a temo Wemby. It's great as always to beat Miami but I've been annoyed at Ware getting drafted by Miami for months and am prepared to be annoyed by him for years.
you and me both
This OG recap and James Edwards' article about Mitchell Robinson has me more optimistic about this team than I have in a while.
I still think KAT is going to be a very difficult player to win with, but if OG can play defense at this level with consistency and Mitch can work his way back towards 100% than we will be better positioned to at least challenge the contenders.
Untucked OG is up there with Hoodie Melo in the NBA alter ego universe. I appreciated that he stayed untucked even after timeouts. My guy was feeling loose.
0) The second half was reminiscent of the Memphis game. The first half was reminiscent of the Celtics/Cavs game. Has KFS ever doled out negative stars? Can we give one to KAT?
1) When was the last time Knicks convincingly won a first quarter? I'm concerned by the slow starts.
2) When can we start seeing Mitch and KAT play together again as maybe potential starters?
3) Who tapped JB's butt during the post game interview? It's tradition. We don't break tradition
4) What did OG say to Herro during crunch time as Herro was dribbling the ball to half court and got an 8 second violation?
KAT was rough, and yet had an efficient night and got better on D in the 2nd half.
- 7th worst 1st quarter team in the NBA over the last 7 games
- Mitch won't be a starter IMO, but I bet we'll see a 2-3 minute snippet of them together soon
- LOL i'm not sure
- "I'm coming for you, M-----F----!!!"