Good morning! Big day in the NBA, as schedules will get released for the upcoming regular season at 3pm. Tune in to the KFS YouTube channel for live reaction from yours truly.
I’ll have full analysis on the schedule coming your way tomorrow. Today, I’m bringing back a concept from the last few summers and asking “What If…” Knicks history had transpired differently in one significant way. Before we get to that though, a bit of news…
News & Notes
🏀 Jacob Toppin signed a new 2-way deal with the Knicks. He takes the final 2-way spot, in addition to rookies Ariel Hukporti and Kevin McCullar Jr.
🏀 Ian Begley provided an injury update on three key Knicks:
On Jalen Brunson: “His rehab, by all accounts, has gone well. So I’d guess he’ll be a full participant in training camp.”
On Julius Randle: “Based on other timelines for shoulder surgery, it would be surprising if Randle were ready for the start of training camp. But if everything progresses well, he should be back on the court for the Knicks’ Oct. 22 season opener or soon thereafter.”
On Mitchell Robinson: “As of earlier this week, Robinson had not yet been cleared for high-intensity weight-bearing activities during his rehab, per people familiar with the matter. So Robinson has to clear several hurdles before he gets clearance to fully participate in training camp. “
Read the whole mailbag, which contains some other thoughts on New York’s big man situation and Tom Thibodeau’s contract, here.
What If...Reggie Was A Knick?
Today’s Mailbag question comes to us from Pete Bondurant, who hopefully didn’t spontaneously combust when he wrote the following words:
In the ‘96 offseason, the Knicks were reportedly deciding between Allan Houston and Reggie Miller to upgrade at shooting guard. I have two related questions: first, would young JM been have been able to root for him, and second, do you think the fanbase would have embraced him? In this scenario, 1996 to 2000 would have played out the same way, with one trip to Finals and no rings.
Before we get to this question, I have to start by pleading ignorance. I had no idea this was such a possibility in 1996, probably because I was 13 at the time and didn’t attention to off court rumors.
Based on the available reporting though, Miller to the Knicks was very much in play.
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