". . . all three are on the court at the same time. Watching them unleash hell on some poor opponent has become the pinnacle of any in-game experience."
Thank you Jon, for those words. You nail it every time. That's why I love coming here. And thank you Ian Begley for sending me to this place.
Why do the seemingly large majority of KFS followers think Thibs just bumbles, into into success. Why do they question Thibs playing the hand dealt to him. He is the Coach, not the owner,President, GM of the team. He has to answer to many people who hold his job (one that he has spent his entire adult life doing) in their hands. Then he has to answer questions for the entire media world waiting for the Knicks to fail. Lastly the fans who seemingly aren’t ever satisfied with anything he does. Thibs, when he speaks about Basketball, he’s talking about how to a be success in all walks of life. We should all listen and learn. I write this because no one seems to understand that he’s the Coach of the NY Knicks and deserves our Respect.
It's funny. When I first moved to Southern California, Phil Jackson was the coach of the Lakers and I was still listening to sports radio. I was absolutely flabbergasted by how much time was spent wasted by callers questioning (literally) the best coach ever as if they knew better. Thibs is a 2 time coach of the year and has been an assistant with USA basketball for heavensakes....While I certainly do not agree with every decision, THE MAN DOES ACTUALLY KNOW HOW TO COACH BASKETBALL! lol
People have no concept of how difficult a job it is to coach an NBA team, let alone the New York Knicks under this owner. 9 of the 12 worst coaches in franchise history by win % have coached under Dolan. 2 more - both HOF'ers, Wilkins and D'Antoni - were under .500 under Dolan. Thibs is one of 3, along with JVG and Woody (who had Melo at his All-NBA best) who have won more than they've lost.
I decided at some point last season to stop screaming into the void. I think the man has been a godsend, but nothing I (or anyone) says is going to change the minds of those who think he's a dinosaur whose time has passed.
Echoing what you said, I really want to see more of the Mcbride-IQ-Grimes-RJ-Mitch lineup. I was at the Kings game, and watching that unit go to work on defense, in-person, was incredible. Even though they are offensively challenged, I never got the sense that we were going to blow the game b/c I had so much faith in that unit's ability to lock the Kings down. And the energy in MSG only grew with each effort-filled defensive possession. It was truly a great watch!
Love to see the improved play from RJ. I’d also like to thank RJ for giving my kid ammo for his own lazy play. My kid plays ball and during a game this past weekend was launching shots from deep. After the shot he would stand there and watch like a spectator in the stands. His coach blasted him for it and I of course did so as well on the way home because he should be crashing the boards. As we are watching the game yesterday RJ does the same damb thing (I believe I brought this up last season as well), so of course he turns to me and says ‘I don’t see Barrett’s coach yelling at him for that’. So, thanks RJ.
I’ve been reflecting on how this season with Grimes and Deuce having more time and experience in the NBA with the Knicks, that Thibs now ready to have them on the court with Quickley. Thibs just wasn’t ready before (last season) to take this step - he didn’t have the trust in them, even though Knick fans were screaming for him to play them.
So how is it that it took 20+ games to figure out that they don't have the horses to play shootout in the NBA and that their only shot is to play the NBA equivalent of 3 yards and a pile of dust to the 1st down, keeping the ball out of the other teams' hands, and then ferocious defense?
After the last week, I have been ashamed about how down on Randle I have been. When his head is right, he is so talented, particularly on the offensive end (duh). The frustrating part is that his defense is better when he plays well offensively, when he does not, his defense is awful - totally the opposite of what you would want. I see him smile a lot more on the court this season and actually laugh in game with teammates. How you keep him in his good place is quite the challenge though.
According to the Post this morning, Thibs was upset with the guys on the floor last night for not intervening with Randle. While I can sort of see his point (seems more like a coach/player issue), I have also seen Randle shove a teammate when they have tried to do that in the past. I am not sure what the answer is - something you just live with? Something that a leader of a team just can't do?
Nothing to be ashamed of. Like you say, when he's on, he's very on. NO idea how you keep him in the good place. And I think Thibs was trying to deflect the criticism away from Ju he knew was coming. Just being a smart coach there.
Randle has none nothing but confrim what he is. For two consectituve seasons the team openned the season with certain team goals that seemed to require Randle to revise his role to being more of a play finisher, off ball mover, screener, and floor runner. For the 2nd year in a row he rejected this role to the point of causing team dysfunction until he got to touch the ball every play. Shots are falling that means its a great time to try and trade him. When things don't his way he will disengage and point fingers. I have seen few players that have 6th man or mercenary scorer written all over them more the Randle. This is not a player you want on your team for 4 years.
Thank you, yes! Randle has told us -- and the Knicks -- who he is: a supremely talented, deeply inconsistent, moody-as-hell player who's a plus player when he's playing well AND gets his way -- and a player who spreads his bad-energy throughout the team when he doesn't or isn't playing well. The record is crystal clear. Decisions by the FO and sentiments expressed by fans should proceed from this reality.
The only thing I will say is that the shots are falling because he’s taking fewer bad ones. The pre-assist play to Robinson via Barrett, including directing Barrett into the right spot and drawing his marker (Sabonos) in, I don’t remember much of that from last year. He is genuinely playing well and I’m here for it; I’m just not here for the “see, you were wrong for doubting him” takes. People on the internet are just desperate for things to be outraged about and to find some sense of community, which worryingly seems to necessitate alienating people who ostensibly want the same thing as you. https://twitter.com/topherpatt/status/1601917227552448512
He playing very well in the role he dictated the team give him. Great even. I don't think we should pretend that he wasn't disengaging and sulking recently. I don't think we should pretend that Randle chaging his play style wasn't the talk of preaseason. Improving his shot profile was an adjustment he made, taking more catch and shoot 3s was an adjustment he made/less long 2s. They weren't the only ones asked of him. I think he needs to be "the ALPHA" and like many who have this need he cries and sulks when he feels he isn't being treated like one or things don't go his way.
I understand but I don’t accept this internet revisionist approach that says playing well last week means he didn’t play that badly last season. Both things can be true simultaneously, and one doesn’t negate the other. If anything, his great performance this week makes the bad play even more egregious because we can see what his level can be. Until this becomes the norm and not the exception, I’m staying ready to fight all of the “wHeRe r the Randall h8rz n0w” mugs. No crow, no humble pie, no apologies. This is what he’s paid to do and I’m *hopeful* that we get to see a lot more of it.
I have to remind myself that he is 28 still. His effort sometimes is that of a 48 year old and his attitude is that of an 18 year old. Maybe a late bloomer? You nailed it. An enigma for certain and emotionally immature player.
Take a look at JR personal birth astrology! Zodiac sign of S C O R P I O is dominant. (I don’t have his accurate birth time - I used 12 noon, his birthdate and birthplace.) If you want to understand why Julius is Julius, invest in a professional astrology reading on “redacted”, and enjoy the psychological discoveries on #30! If you’re interested in getting a revelatory book / report on Randle via astrology, I can recommend a world class astrologer. I’m self-taught in astrology over several decades and when I first looked up JR’s birth astrology, I had to laugh when I saw the Scorpio effect. And as a longtime Knick fan who cheered on Ewing against Jordan in the playoffs from my MSG blue seats, I’m very happy now to see the “We Back” version of Julius!
This Knicks nascent season has reminded me of the immortal words of Soh-creights "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing". I was ready to be out on this team, resolved that Thibs would be fired, two feet squarely on the trade Randle for 3rd rounder floor and thinking we missed our chance at relevancy on the Spida wiff...and then here I am with my heart once again captivated by this often maddening team. Who wouldda thunk that Deuce McBride would be the catalyst? I love watching this team again! This is evidence that when defensive laggards see guys like Deuce, Grimes and IQ laying it on the line every play with nearly perfect technique at times...they follow suit. It's the little things. Getting your hands up and into passing lanes that are showing up and thrilling old-school NYK fans like myself. The question we're all asking ourselves (and you explored) is if this is for realzees. Is this just a blip and a team taking advantage of a soft schedule/star players being out to exploit them? From my POV the real test will be to see how they respond to the inevitable game where there's a defensive lapse or they get smoked by an elite team. Not so much the next time they give up 120 or 130 points, but the game after that. Do they revert to their low effort ways and blame gaming or come out pissed off and refocused on making their opponent feel them? My hope is it will be the latter. Re-signing up for the highs and lows of this team's inevitable roller coaster ride. God help us all.
"Not so much the next time they give up 120 or 130 points, but the game after that."
THIS. It's GOING to happen, because this is the NBA. Bad games happen. However, I do think the longer we go without it happening, the less handwringing there will be.
Still plenty of seats available aboard the bandwaggon! Just Sayin'.
Based on the postgame comments, I'm guessing that the earliest we see Brunson is Monday in Indiana, at the earliest. So then what does the rotation look like in Chicago? The Bulls are playing Patrick Williams at the 4, who is more of a defensive specialist than a scorer, so I'd be surprised if he didn't go with Reddish over Sims and play Barrett at the 4 again. Put Grimes on DeRozan and let Reddish get LaVine.
If he goes with Sims, I take that to really mean that Reddish is burried, and he is going to be out of here soon, but I don't think that's the case.
At the point, Chicago is going with a PG by committe in the absence of Ball, playing Dounmu, Dragic, and Colby White, none of who are scoring particularly well, so that tells me that he's going to start McBride over Rose. So the question becomes , is Thibs going to give Rose 15 minutes a night to back up the point, or is he going to shorten his rotation and just have Q cover the backup minutes atthe point.
I think it's highly probable that Thibs continues to sit Rose, and if he does, given that its in Chicago, Rose probably will look at that as a humilating show of disrespect, and Rose could go to the press.
It sure seems as if Fournier is never seeing the floor again, and we are about to find out if that is the case with Reddish and Rose. Rose, I can understand, we have great depth at the point, and at this juncture Rose is just a buyout candidate after the deadline, the only purpose of holding on to him is because we need him for salary matching purposes in a potential trade.
As for Reddish, I just don't understand it, unless he mouthed off to the coaching staff behind closed doors, which, given his surly attitude, could be possible, but short of that, I just don't get it at all, he was playing good defense and moving without the ball and making things happen, and like that, he's just done.
I think Cam is just done with this franchise, and he showed his displeasure on the floor vs Dallas. That was the last straw, but I think it had been building up. As for the Bulls games, I don't think he disrespects Rose like that. I bet he plays.
Well, the tell in terms of if a deal is on will be in Thibs rotation the night before the trade market opens. Doesn’t make sense that Chicago would tear down, but it’s a free country.
I would be shocked to see Rose, Fournier or Cam's legs ever again. Expect blue sweatpants for the remainder. They've got them on moth balls so they can be included in trades that won't fall apart because of injury.
Well apparently the Athletic has a report out saying there is a potential 3 team deal where Cam and Fournier go to the Lakers. There are other reports saying Chicago wants to tank because the only way they hold onto their pick is if it’s top 4, and they are sending DeRozan an Vucivic to LA for Westbrook and those 2 unprotected picks.
I’d give up Cam and two #1s, as long as it isn’t the Dallas pick, which might be a lottery pick. It means they are clearing money to bring in a bigger salary later in a separate deal, and they still have plenty of extra picks in addition to their own.
"The bad is never as bad as we think, and the good is never as good as we wish it was."
I'm feeling the latter a bit more. Pushing the caveat aside, that we beat three solid teams without their arguably 2nd/3rd most important players (Jarrett Allen, DJ Murray, Fox), winning is fun, it's good for the fans, and it's good for this team. But it's good particularly, if it is good for the identity building you wrote about a couple weeks back. It just doesn't feel like it's doing that.
It's ironic that the title of this newsletter is #WeBack, because what are we back to exactly? Offensively at least. Defensively the identity is shaping out more with IQ-Grimes-Deuce-MRob play. That's undeniable. And I'm positive it'll get RJ to play better on that side of the ball. But just like in the WeHere szn, we're winning games offensively from phenomenal games from Julius Randle making some tough shots. What's the identity when he's off the floor? (Which is important since a top priority is still trading him, for the fans at least) All of this still feels like we need some semblance of an asterisk, given teams are coming out less than 100% when they play us. In this four game streak, we're beating teams we should beat, not because we're better but because they're down some key cogs. We'd also be lying if we didn't admit our defense is better because of that as well.
So; given that we still want to trade Randle, and the team will likely lose games after he's gone since he's our top engine, how do we view these wins in the long term? Are we happy to win if only it means we're raising his trade value? In the WeHere szn, we won and then floundered the next year, and I would hate for these vibes to be a repeat of that. So winning is good, but identity building is better so what do these wins (based on exceptional Julius play) really mean for this franchise?
I think for me, We Back means we're back to a team we can just feel good about watching, which for me means we're not expecting the worst. 20-21, you went into games genuinely expecting to see good basketball. And that, I do think, is back. Is this identity real? We'll see. 10 (or 4, if you prefer) is too small a sample size. Lastly, LOTS of good and great teams have lost to VERY bad teams this year, along with ones missing key guys. I do give them credit for largely taking care of their business. All the long term big questions still remain, as you say. ! step at a time though.
Julius Randle can be very good in his role. The role is a guy that touches the ball every possession. Its the role he can be good in because he has made it clear it is the only one he is willing to play with any effort. I have rarely seen a guy who more is clearly best served as a 6th man or mercenary scorer. Move him while the shot is falling. Disgunteled and disengaged Julius will always be back. He comes out when he doesn't like his role or under advserisity. Signing a guy like him long term is a mistake. Lets try and make it someone else's while the shot is falling
the Julius hockey assist was my favorite play - he was clearly the best player on the court, moving quicker, jumping higher, playing like an all-star (hopefully he learned a lesson as the Kings and refs were no match for us)
Also it appears that RJ is becoming more efficient finishing at the rim. As long as he isn't forcing up an ugly tear drop. I am so happy to see Duece get some minutes. As limited he is offensively. The fact he put his head down late in the game and got that contested layup to keep the Kings at bay. It shows he doesn't have to be a one trick pony.
". . . all three are on the court at the same time. Watching them unleash hell on some poor opponent has become the pinnacle of any in-game experience."
Thank you Jon, for those words. You nail it every time. That's why I love coming here. And thank you Ian Begley for sending me to this place.
Thanks so much Hamish. I love nothing more than trying to put my experience as a fan into words. Gad you're enjoying!
Why do the seemingly large majority of KFS followers think Thibs just bumbles, into into success. Why do they question Thibs playing the hand dealt to him. He is the Coach, not the owner,President, GM of the team. He has to answer to many people who hold his job (one that he has spent his entire adult life doing) in their hands. Then he has to answer questions for the entire media world waiting for the Knicks to fail. Lastly the fans who seemingly aren’t ever satisfied with anything he does. Thibs, when he speaks about Basketball, he’s talking about how to a be success in all walks of life. We should all listen and learn. I write this because no one seems to understand that he’s the Coach of the NY Knicks and deserves our Respect.
It's funny. When I first moved to Southern California, Phil Jackson was the coach of the Lakers and I was still listening to sports radio. I was absolutely flabbergasted by how much time was spent wasted by callers questioning (literally) the best coach ever as if they knew better. Thibs is a 2 time coach of the year and has been an assistant with USA basketball for heavensakes....While I certainly do not agree with every decision, THE MAN DOES ACTUALLY KNOW HOW TO COACH BASKETBALL! lol
People have no concept of how difficult a job it is to coach an NBA team, let alone the New York Knicks under this owner. 9 of the 12 worst coaches in franchise history by win % have coached under Dolan. 2 more - both HOF'ers, Wilkins and D'Antoni - were under .500 under Dolan. Thibs is one of 3, along with JVG and Woody (who had Melo at his All-NBA best) who have won more than they've lost.
I decided at some point last season to stop screaming into the void. I think the man has been a godsend, but nothing I (or anyone) says is going to change the minds of those who think he's a dinosaur whose time has passed.
Great wins!
Echoing what you said, I really want to see more of the Mcbride-IQ-Grimes-RJ-Mitch lineup. I was at the Kings game, and watching that unit go to work on defense, in-person, was incredible. Even though they are offensively challenged, I never got the sense that we were going to blow the game b/c I had so much faith in that unit's ability to lock the Kings down. And the energy in MSG only grew with each effort-filled defensive possession. It was truly a great watch!
Glad you got to see in person! They have found an identity. The question now is whether they can improve it without losing it.
Love to see the improved play from RJ. I’d also like to thank RJ for giving my kid ammo for his own lazy play. My kid plays ball and during a game this past weekend was launching shots from deep. After the shot he would stand there and watch like a spectator in the stands. His coach blasted him for it and I of course did so as well on the way home because he should be crashing the boards. As we are watching the game yesterday RJ does the same damb thing (I believe I brought this up last season as well), so of course he turns to me and says ‘I don’t see Barrett’s coach yelling at him for that’. So, thanks RJ.
I have a funny feeling he's hearing about it behind the scenes.
Didn’t say I yelled at him, thanks though.
fair enough - deleted
I’ve been reflecting on how this season with Grimes and Deuce having more time and experience in the NBA with the Knicks, that Thibs now ready to have them on the court with Quickley. Thibs just wasn’t ready before (last season) to take this step - he didn’t have the trust in them, even though Knick fans were screaming for him to play them.
Thibs is recognized as wanting to draft those 2, played Grimes a lot last year, and has had those players blocked by front office signings.
Good call. Trust or Desperation? Doesn't matter...we'll take it!
So how is it that it took 20+ games to figure out that they don't have the horses to play shootout in the NBA and that their only shot is to play the NBA equivalent of 3 yards and a pile of dust to the 1st down, keeping the ball out of the other teams' hands, and then ferocious defense?
*shrug emoji*
"You got to ac-cent-tchu-ate the positive
E-lim-i-nate the negative
And latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mr. In-between
You got to spread joy up to the maximum
Bring gloom down to the minimum
And have faith, or pandemonium
Liable to walk upon the scene"
Hot damn Bing!
After the last week, I have been ashamed about how down on Randle I have been. When his head is right, he is so talented, particularly on the offensive end (duh). The frustrating part is that his defense is better when he plays well offensively, when he does not, his defense is awful - totally the opposite of what you would want. I see him smile a lot more on the court this season and actually laugh in game with teammates. How you keep him in his good place is quite the challenge though.
According to the Post this morning, Thibs was upset with the guys on the floor last night for not intervening with Randle. While I can sort of see his point (seems more like a coach/player issue), I have also seen Randle shove a teammate when they have tried to do that in the past. I am not sure what the answer is - something you just live with? Something that a leader of a team just can't do?
Randle is such an enigma.
Nothing to be ashamed of. Like you say, when he's on, he's very on. NO idea how you keep him in the good place. And I think Thibs was trying to deflect the criticism away from Ju he knew was coming. Just being a smart coach there.
Randle has none nothing but confrim what he is. For two consectituve seasons the team openned the season with certain team goals that seemed to require Randle to revise his role to being more of a play finisher, off ball mover, screener, and floor runner. For the 2nd year in a row he rejected this role to the point of causing team dysfunction until he got to touch the ball every play. Shots are falling that means its a great time to try and trade him. When things don't his way he will disengage and point fingers. I have seen few players that have 6th man or mercenary scorer written all over them more the Randle. This is not a player you want on your team for 4 years.
Thank you, yes! Randle has told us -- and the Knicks -- who he is: a supremely talented, deeply inconsistent, moody-as-hell player who's a plus player when he's playing well AND gets his way -- and a player who spreads his bad-energy throughout the team when he doesn't or isn't playing well. The record is crystal clear. Decisions by the FO and sentiments expressed by fans should proceed from this reality.
The only thing I will say is that the shots are falling because he’s taking fewer bad ones. The pre-assist play to Robinson via Barrett, including directing Barrett into the right spot and drawing his marker (Sabonos) in, I don’t remember much of that from last year. He is genuinely playing well and I’m here for it; I’m just not here for the “see, you were wrong for doubting him” takes. People on the internet are just desperate for things to be outraged about and to find some sense of community, which worryingly seems to necessitate alienating people who ostensibly want the same thing as you. https://twitter.com/topherpatt/status/1601917227552448512
He playing very well in the role he dictated the team give him. Great even. I don't think we should pretend that he wasn't disengaging and sulking recently. I don't think we should pretend that Randle chaging his play style wasn't the talk of preaseason. Improving his shot profile was an adjustment he made, taking more catch and shoot 3s was an adjustment he made/less long 2s. They weren't the only ones asked of him. I think he needs to be "the ALPHA" and like many who have this need he cries and sulks when he feels he isn't being treated like one or things don't go his way.
Sabonis*
I understand but I don’t accept this internet revisionist approach that says playing well last week means he didn’t play that badly last season. Both things can be true simultaneously, and one doesn’t negate the other. If anything, his great performance this week makes the bad play even more egregious because we can see what his level can be. Until this becomes the norm and not the exception, I’m staying ready to fight all of the “wHeRe r the Randall h8rz n0w” mugs. No crow, no humble pie, no apologies. This is what he’s paid to do and I’m *hopeful* that we get to see a lot more of it.
I have to remind myself that he is 28 still. His effort sometimes is that of a 48 year old and his attitude is that of an 18 year old. Maybe a late bloomer? You nailed it. An enigma for certain and emotionally immature player.
“Bad JuJu is always lurking around the corner”
Take a look at JR personal birth astrology! Zodiac sign of S C O R P I O is dominant. (I don’t have his accurate birth time - I used 12 noon, his birthdate and birthplace.) If you want to understand why Julius is Julius, invest in a professional astrology reading on “redacted”, and enjoy the psychological discoveries on #30! If you’re interested in getting a revelatory book / report on Randle via astrology, I can recommend a world class astrologer. I’m self-taught in astrology over several decades and when I first looked up JR’s birth astrology, I had to laugh when I saw the Scorpio effect. And as a longtime Knick fan who cheered on Ewing against Jordan in the playoffs from my MSG blue seats, I’m very happy now to see the “We Back” version of Julius!
Damn! I'm not a full on believer when it comes to astrology but i do find the study interesting
This Knicks nascent season has reminded me of the immortal words of Soh-creights "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing". I was ready to be out on this team, resolved that Thibs would be fired, two feet squarely on the trade Randle for 3rd rounder floor and thinking we missed our chance at relevancy on the Spida wiff...and then here I am with my heart once again captivated by this often maddening team. Who wouldda thunk that Deuce McBride would be the catalyst? I love watching this team again! This is evidence that when defensive laggards see guys like Deuce, Grimes and IQ laying it on the line every play with nearly perfect technique at times...they follow suit. It's the little things. Getting your hands up and into passing lanes that are showing up and thrilling old-school NYK fans like myself. The question we're all asking ourselves (and you explored) is if this is for realzees. Is this just a blip and a team taking advantage of a soft schedule/star players being out to exploit them? From my POV the real test will be to see how they respond to the inevitable game where there's a defensive lapse or they get smoked by an elite team. Not so much the next time they give up 120 or 130 points, but the game after that. Do they revert to their low effort ways and blame gaming or come out pissed off and refocused on making their opponent feel them? My hope is it will be the latter. Re-signing up for the highs and lows of this team's inevitable roller coaster ride. God help us all.
"Not so much the next time they give up 120 or 130 points, but the game after that."
THIS. It's GOING to happen, because this is the NBA. Bad games happen. However, I do think the longer we go without it happening, the less handwringing there will be.
Still plenty of seats available aboard the bandwaggon! Just Sayin'.
Based on the postgame comments, I'm guessing that the earliest we see Brunson is Monday in Indiana, at the earliest. So then what does the rotation look like in Chicago? The Bulls are playing Patrick Williams at the 4, who is more of a defensive specialist than a scorer, so I'd be surprised if he didn't go with Reddish over Sims and play Barrett at the 4 again. Put Grimes on DeRozan and let Reddish get LaVine.
If he goes with Sims, I take that to really mean that Reddish is burried, and he is going to be out of here soon, but I don't think that's the case.
At the point, Chicago is going with a PG by committe in the absence of Ball, playing Dounmu, Dragic, and Colby White, none of who are scoring particularly well, so that tells me that he's going to start McBride over Rose. So the question becomes , is Thibs going to give Rose 15 minutes a night to back up the point, or is he going to shorten his rotation and just have Q cover the backup minutes atthe point.
I think it's highly probable that Thibs continues to sit Rose, and if he does, given that its in Chicago, Rose probably will look at that as a humilating show of disrespect, and Rose could go to the press.
It sure seems as if Fournier is never seeing the floor again, and we are about to find out if that is the case with Reddish and Rose. Rose, I can understand, we have great depth at the point, and at this juncture Rose is just a buyout candidate after the deadline, the only purpose of holding on to him is because we need him for salary matching purposes in a potential trade.
As for Reddish, I just don't understand it, unless he mouthed off to the coaching staff behind closed doors, which, given his surly attitude, could be possible, but short of that, I just don't get it at all, he was playing good defense and moving without the ball and making things happen, and like that, he's just done.
I think Cam is just done with this franchise, and he showed his displeasure on the floor vs Dallas. That was the last straw, but I think it had been building up. As for the Bulls games, I don't think he disrespects Rose like that. I bet he plays.
Well, the tell in terms of if a deal is on will be in Thibs rotation the night before the trade market opens. Doesn’t make sense that Chicago would tear down, but it’s a free country.
I would be shocked to see Rose, Fournier or Cam's legs ever again. Expect blue sweatpants for the remainder. They've got them on moth balls so they can be included in trades that won't fall apart because of injury.
Well apparently the Athletic has a report out saying there is a potential 3 team deal where Cam and Fournier go to the Lakers. There are other reports saying Chicago wants to tank because the only way they hold onto their pick is if it’s top 4, and they are sending DeRozan an Vucivic to LA for Westbrook and those 2 unprotected picks.
I’d give up Cam and two #1s, as long as it isn’t the Dallas pick, which might be a lottery pick. It means they are clearing money to bring in a bigger salary later in a separate deal, and they still have plenty of extra picks in addition to their own.
"The bad is never as bad as we think, and the good is never as good as we wish it was."
I'm feeling the latter a bit more. Pushing the caveat aside, that we beat three solid teams without their arguably 2nd/3rd most important players (Jarrett Allen, DJ Murray, Fox), winning is fun, it's good for the fans, and it's good for this team. But it's good particularly, if it is good for the identity building you wrote about a couple weeks back. It just doesn't feel like it's doing that.
It's ironic that the title of this newsletter is #WeBack, because what are we back to exactly? Offensively at least. Defensively the identity is shaping out more with IQ-Grimes-Deuce-MRob play. That's undeniable. And I'm positive it'll get RJ to play better on that side of the ball. But just like in the WeHere szn, we're winning games offensively from phenomenal games from Julius Randle making some tough shots. What's the identity when he's off the floor? (Which is important since a top priority is still trading him, for the fans at least) All of this still feels like we need some semblance of an asterisk, given teams are coming out less than 100% when they play us. In this four game streak, we're beating teams we should beat, not because we're better but because they're down some key cogs. We'd also be lying if we didn't admit our defense is better because of that as well.
So; given that we still want to trade Randle, and the team will likely lose games after he's gone since he's our top engine, how do we view these wins in the long term? Are we happy to win if only it means we're raising his trade value? In the WeHere szn, we won and then floundered the next year, and I would hate for these vibes to be a repeat of that. So winning is good, but identity building is better so what do these wins (based on exceptional Julius play) really mean for this franchise?
I think for me, We Back means we're back to a team we can just feel good about watching, which for me means we're not expecting the worst. 20-21, you went into games genuinely expecting to see good basketball. And that, I do think, is back. Is this identity real? We'll see. 10 (or 4, if you prefer) is too small a sample size. Lastly, LOTS of good and great teams have lost to VERY bad teams this year, along with ones missing key guys. I do give them credit for largely taking care of their business. All the long term big questions still remain, as you say. ! step at a time though.
Julius Randle can be very good in his role. The role is a guy that touches the ball every possession. Its the role he can be good in because he has made it clear it is the only one he is willing to play with any effort. I have rarely seen a guy who more is clearly best served as a 6th man or mercenary scorer. Move him while the shot is falling. Disgunteled and disengaged Julius will always be back. He comes out when he doesn't like his role or under advserisity. Signing a guy like him long term is a mistake. Lets try and make it someone else's while the shot is falling
I hope they are keeping the phone lines open (and I would be shocked if they weren't)
To RJ: mea copa. You can play good basketball. I see it now.
To Coach Thibs: mea copa. You have a basketball mind. You know much more about the game than I do, I see that now. What was I thinking!
To Leon Rose: I told you so, you idiot! Stop listening to those FO types. You got Thibs--you don't need anyone else.
the Julius hockey assist was my favorite play - he was clearly the best player on the court, moving quicker, jumping higher, playing like an all-star (hopefully he learned a lesson as the Kings and refs were no match for us)
Also it appears that RJ is becoming more efficient finishing at the rim. As long as he isn't forcing up an ugly tear drop. I am so happy to see Duece get some minutes. As limited he is offensively. The fact he put his head down late in the game and got that contested layup to keep the Kings at bay. It shows he doesn't have to be a one trick pony.
RJ at the rim is at 57%. He's been 54 or 55% his whole career. So slight improvement