I know it hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows for RJ on defense this preseason, but I have noticed increased activity from him on that end. I am specifically referring to him more often than not being in the right place at the right time to recover loose balls, and, having more active hands (two things we really did not see at all happen during the reg season last year). To be honest, I think it is a direct result of playing with + and active defenders such as IQ, Grimes, DDV, and Hart. It's one of the reasons why I am most excited for our new bench unit. So much has been made about how fast this unit will play in transition and hopefully on offense, but the activity on defense is going to be just as strong. I think that solidifying the unit with another incredibly active defender in DDV will make their energy infectious, and I hope it continues to rub off on RJ.
I am encouraged by what I see from RJ so far , hopefully he cuts down on heat check shots and his efficiency numbers should look decent at years end . Would have to think if FO goes down KAT road something would have to go terribly wrong and Rose and company would probably be on the way out . Just can’t see that is something they would do . Think Mitch is going to have a really nice year .
The best thing on view Friday night was Barrett going to the basket, going to the basket, drawing fouls, and having 16 points in the first half, as opposed to wildly shooting, which was always my objection. Watching him play for Canada this summer give me pause on my negativity. Love, JVG but it's a distraction.
Oct 16, 2023·edited Oct 16, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri
RJ was very impressive the other night. He looks like he is playing with less weight this year. He seemed slow last year due to the bulk and it was a big issue with his defense. Great to see that his free throws looks solid, but that said, guys that struggle with free throws in their career are unlikely to be plus players from three. I am not a fan of his game above the neck, BUT if he continues to develop he likely can overcome his limitations with his strengths.
I think it’s pretty clear why JVG isn’t here. If he was, then the first tough skid there would be instant calls by the NY tabloids for JVG to take over for Thibs. It would be a huge, impractical distraction. With the Celtics, they have a 35 year old coach who actually needs him, and who they actually may want to replace halfway through the season....
I still don't understand why they would trade for KAT, giving up substantial assets, and they wouldn't trade for KP for basically salary exchange? They both have injury history, with KP you get slightly less efficiency on 3pt shooting and offense, but alot more defensive effort and he's on a reasonable contract which they can trade if necessary. I just don't understand why they didn't even entertain the idea. He clearly was open to it from his comments last year.
Oct 16, 2023·edited Oct 16, 2023Liked by Jonathan Macri
I think this is a good question and you could argue that statistically KAT is better than KP (at least on offense), but in the end it comes down to relationships for Leon Rose. KP burned every bridge in NYC as he forced his way out of town, after acting like an entitled diva while he was here. Maybe KP has grown up and no longer leaves his sports car parked in the fire lane in front of buildings... but there's certainly an organizational memory there. Meanwhile, KAT has a close relationship with the Family running the front office.
To be clear - I want no part of a KAT trade. But I wouldn't be surprised if we hear his name a lot next summer if Embiid to NYK is not happening (it's probably not happening) and Minnesota struggles again (Minnesota will struggle again). So... we will probably hear KAT's name a lot all season and next summer. I always thought Donovan Mitchell and KAT were the two guys Leon Rose would try to bring into New York.
My guess is that there might have been some mutual interest between KP and this regime but it never went anywhere. Put better, I'm not sure that KP leaving the franchise the way he did is the reason he didn't come back.
Could well be. But I feel like how their last stints went is at least part of why KP and JVG are Celtics now and not Knicks. Dolan’s memory is long and bitter.
Yeah, I don't think it's necessarily the deciding factor... but I have to think it's a factor. I think Leon Rose has navigated it very well, but I think it is always there. For example: the lawsuit against Masai's team haha.
I agree. They didn't want him back due to historical reasons. It seems that he's grown up and he's admitted his mistakes, too late it seems. I guess we'll have to wait for the book in 20 years that'll explain it all.
Not saying I agree, but I would guess that if they do entertain a KAT trade, its because they feel he's more of a difference maker on offense (which, in fairness, his stats say he is. KP has had a nice career but he doesn't hold a candle to KAT in terms of their overall offensive game).
He's 70-75% of what you get from KAT on offense. A good enough 3pt shooter who would draw out defenders and gives you 65-75% of the defense that you get from Mitch. In my scenario they keep both KP and Mitch. I really hope that they don't waste the accumulated assets on KAT.
I would have liked them to kick the tires on that deal. But maybe they did. I’d say KP went for more than a salary exchange, but I guess it depends on what you mean by that. Fournier and filler wasn’t going to get it done. Who would you have traded for KP?
They got the 35th pick in the draft this year, Gallinari, Muscala and Tyus Jones from Memphis. 3 bench players and a 2nd round pick. Fournier + Hartenstein + another guy for a little more salary and give them back their own 1st round pick, which is really 2 2nds at some point in the future for the Knicks. Or, considering what they got for Obi, trade Fournier and Obi straight up for KP, that's still a better return for Washington. My guess is that KAT is going to cost us alot more than that and he is basically the same player and makes alot more money on a long term contract. I don't get it?
Fair points. But Boston gave up Smart and could have sent that directly to Washington so Washington must have wanted Tyus and viewed him as their PG of the future. Who in your deal fills that void? Would have to have been IQ at the very least. Not saying I wouldn’t have done the deal but your players don’t fill needs for Washington. They’ve got a center and they traded a PF as good as Obi last year because they didn’t want to extend him. So I don’t see Obi being a target since he’s about to be paid as well.
OK get it, but initially the deal was Brogden to LA and LA was going to send the 30th pick to Washington, so not sure that they wanted anything else. Agree that Tyus Jones is a good player. They could've flipped Obi and Fournier or Hartenstein for a young backup PG with potential or picks and figure it out later. At best if they wanted a PG, then we try Deuce. No way we give them IQ here. Boston got 2 1st round picks for Smart, they didn't give him away for free. The point is that we didn't even try and now we want to trade for a guy who has yet to play to his full potential, gets hurt a lot like KP and makes ALOT of money on a long-term contract when we could have gotten the same or better （in my opinion） for a lot less and we didn't even try.
Don’t know if we tried. But other than IQ, we had no one as good as Tyus, often considered the best backup PG in the league (as proven by the fact that Memphis didn’t take a step back when Ja was out). Don’t think that IHart and filler would get Washington as similar PG in a future trade.
As for injuries, I’m not advocating for Towns but the injuries aren’t the same. I think the Knicks may know more about KPs long term health prognosis they they are letting on. And now KP is saying he has planter fasciitis, which is a killer for big men. We will see how this works out for Boston. I’m not so sure they don’t regret it.
I have a hard time taking preseason individual results too seriously one way or the other, so I’m tapping the brakes on reading into what we’ve seen from RJ. As I recall, he shot well last preseason and that didn’t exactly carry over. And as for this preseason, the drives and drawing fouls have been nice, but the field goal efficiency has still been subpar and there was a stretch in the second half where the T’Wolves were clearly conceding the 3 to him, much like Miami in the playoffs. We really need him to dig in on defense and on the boards all season long, because I don’t see him ever being a threat from 3.
I know it hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows for RJ on defense this preseason, but I have noticed increased activity from him on that end. I am specifically referring to him more often than not being in the right place at the right time to recover loose balls, and, having more active hands (two things we really did not see at all happen during the reg season last year). To be honest, I think it is a direct result of playing with + and active defenders such as IQ, Grimes, DDV, and Hart. It's one of the reasons why I am most excited for our new bench unit. So much has been made about how fast this unit will play in transition and hopefully on offense, but the activity on defense is going to be just as strong. I think that solidifying the unit with another incredibly active defender in DDV will make their energy infectious, and I hope it continues to rub off on RJ.
I am encouraged by what I see from RJ so far , hopefully he cuts down on heat check shots and his efficiency numbers should look decent at years end . Would have to think if FO goes down KAT road something would have to go terribly wrong and Rose and company would probably be on the way out . Just can’t see that is something they would do . Think Mitch is going to have a really nice year .
The best thing on view Friday night was Barrett going to the basket, going to the basket, drawing fouls, and having 16 points in the first half, as opposed to wildly shooting, which was always my objection. Watching him play for Canada this summer give me pause on my negativity. Love, JVG but it's a distraction.
RJ was very impressive the other night. He looks like he is playing with less weight this year. He seemed slow last year due to the bulk and it was a big issue with his defense. Great to see that his free throws looks solid, but that said, guys that struggle with free throws in their career are unlikely to be plus players from three. I am not a fan of his game above the neck, BUT if he continues to develop he likely can overcome his limitations with his strengths.
I think it’s pretty clear why JVG isn’t here. If he was, then the first tough skid there would be instant calls by the NY tabloids for JVG to take over for Thibs. It would be a huge, impractical distraction. With the Celtics, they have a 35 year old coach who actually needs him, and who they actually may want to replace halfway through the season....
fantastic point.
I still don't understand why they would trade for KAT, giving up substantial assets, and they wouldn't trade for KP for basically salary exchange? They both have injury history, with KP you get slightly less efficiency on 3pt shooting and offense, but alot more defensive effort and he's on a reasonable contract which they can trade if necessary. I just don't understand why they didn't even entertain the idea. He clearly was open to it from his comments last year.
I think this is a good question and you could argue that statistically KAT is better than KP (at least on offense), but in the end it comes down to relationships for Leon Rose. KP burned every bridge in NYC as he forced his way out of town, after acting like an entitled diva while he was here. Maybe KP has grown up and no longer leaves his sports car parked in the fire lane in front of buildings... but there's certainly an organizational memory there. Meanwhile, KAT has a close relationship with the Family running the front office.
To be clear - I want no part of a KAT trade. But I wouldn't be surprised if we hear his name a lot next summer if Embiid to NYK is not happening (it's probably not happening) and Minnesota struggles again (Minnesota will struggle again). So... we will probably hear KAT's name a lot all season and next summer. I always thought Donovan Mitchell and KAT were the two guys Leon Rose would try to bring into New York.
My guess is that there might have been some mutual interest between KP and this regime but it never went anywhere. Put better, I'm not sure that KP leaving the franchise the way he did is the reason he didn't come back.
Could well be. But I feel like how their last stints went is at least part of why KP and JVG are Celtics now and not Knicks. Dolan’s memory is long and bitter.
very fair. I wonder if he chimed in on KP. maybe he didn't need to because Leon knew how he felt.
Yeah, I don't think it's necessarily the deciding factor... but I have to think it's a factor. I think Leon Rose has navigated it very well, but I think it is always there. For example: the lawsuit against Masai's team haha.
I agree. They didn't want him back due to historical reasons. It seems that he's grown up and he's admitted his mistakes, too late it seems. I guess we'll have to wait for the book in 20 years that'll explain it all.
Not saying I agree, but I would guess that if they do entertain a KAT trade, its because they feel he's more of a difference maker on offense (which, in fairness, his stats say he is. KP has had a nice career but he doesn't hold a candle to KAT in terms of their overall offensive game).
He's 70-75% of what you get from KAT on offense. A good enough 3pt shooter who would draw out defenders and gives you 65-75% of the defense that you get from Mitch. In my scenario they keep both KP and Mitch. I really hope that they don't waste the accumulated assets on KAT.
I would have liked them to kick the tires on that deal. But maybe they did. I’d say KP went for more than a salary exchange, but I guess it depends on what you mean by that. Fournier and filler wasn’t going to get it done. Who would you have traded for KP?
They got the 35th pick in the draft this year, Gallinari, Muscala and Tyus Jones from Memphis. 3 bench players and a 2nd round pick. Fournier + Hartenstein + another guy for a little more salary and give them back their own 1st round pick, which is really 2 2nds at some point in the future for the Knicks. Or, considering what they got for Obi, trade Fournier and Obi straight up for KP, that's still a better return for Washington. My guess is that KAT is going to cost us alot more than that and he is basically the same player and makes alot more money on a long term contract. I don't get it?
Fair points. But Boston gave up Smart and could have sent that directly to Washington so Washington must have wanted Tyus and viewed him as their PG of the future. Who in your deal fills that void? Would have to have been IQ at the very least. Not saying I wouldn’t have done the deal but your players don’t fill needs for Washington. They’ve got a center and they traded a PF as good as Obi last year because they didn’t want to extend him. So I don’t see Obi being a target since he’s about to be paid as well.
OK get it, but initially the deal was Brogden to LA and LA was going to send the 30th pick to Washington, so not sure that they wanted anything else. Agree that Tyus Jones is a good player. They could've flipped Obi and Fournier or Hartenstein for a young backup PG with potential or picks and figure it out later. At best if they wanted a PG, then we try Deuce. No way we give them IQ here. Boston got 2 1st round picks for Smart, they didn't give him away for free. The point is that we didn't even try and now we want to trade for a guy who has yet to play to his full potential, gets hurt a lot like KP and makes ALOT of money on a long-term contract when we could have gotten the same or better （in my opinion） for a lot less and we didn't even try.
Don’t know if we tried. But other than IQ, we had no one as good as Tyus, often considered the best backup PG in the league (as proven by the fact that Memphis didn’t take a step back when Ja was out). Don’t think that IHart and filler would get Washington as similar PG in a future trade.
As for injuries, I’m not advocating for Towns but the injuries aren’t the same. I think the Knicks may know more about KPs long term health prognosis they they are letting on. And now KP is saying he has planter fasciitis, which is a killer for big men. We will see how this works out for Boston. I’m not so sure they don’t regret it.
I have a hard time taking preseason individual results too seriously one way or the other, so I’m tapping the brakes on reading into what we’ve seen from RJ. As I recall, he shot well last preseason and that didn’t exactly carry over. And as for this preseason, the drives and drawing fouls have been nice, but the field goal efficiency has still been subpar and there was a stretch in the second half where the T’Wolves were clearly conceding the 3 to him, much like Miami in the playoffs. We really need him to dig in on defense and on the boards all season long, because I don’t see him ever being a threat from 3.
He 100% needs the 3 to come around. If it doesn't, I don't know that I'll ever buy him as a high level starter.