NBA Post Mortem: New York Knickerbockers \ stacker news ~Stacker

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NBA Post Mortem: New York Knickerbockers

436 sats \ 11 comments \ @Undisciplined 13 Jun Stacker_Sports

I know more of the talk is around the Bucks and Giannis, but the Knicks have actually made a huge move already, plus we have some Knicks fans in our midst.

Despite having their best season of the 21st century, the Knicks fired their highly respected coach for not making it to the NBA Finals (which no one expected them to do).

Is this just standard Knicks malpractice? If so, what further malpractice might they commit?

Or, is it part of a legit plan (as unlikely as that seems)? And, if so, what else is in that plan?

The obvious starting place is KAT. I thought KAT had a great season, but he definitely did some dumb KAT stuff in the playoffs. Will the Knicks trade KAT (and whatever else) to land either KD or Giannis? Should they?

If they trade for Giannis, does he play center? If not, they also need a stretch-5, because Giannis can't play next to a traditional big.

KD would be a little cleaner, plus the Suns need a center and supposedly Booker and KAT are buds. KD could slot in at the 4 and give them a starting 5 of

Robinson
KD
OG
Bridges
Brunson

With Hart coming off the bench, that's an awesome 6-man rotation. It's basically what they had, but with KD in place of KAT.

Is KD enough better than KAT for this to be a title team?

What else might be going on with the Knicks?

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69 sats \ 2 replies \ @gnilma 13 Jun

I wasn't sure if it was you or someone else that said if the Knicks have a plan before they fire Thibs, it could work out well, but if they don't have a plan and still went ahead to fire Thibs, they will end up looking very foolish. The fact that they've asked three different teams permission to poach their coach and got turned down three times in a row seems to show that the Knicks did not have a plan and are looking rather foolish now.

I still don't get why they fired a winning coach that brought results, brought them back to the ECF for the first time since 2000; that's 25 years ago. They been a shitty and losing team for a long time, Thibs brought winning back to the franchise, and they fire him after his most successful season. I just don't really understand that. But what do I know? I'm just a regular dude making a comment on the internet. There's no way I understand how NBA coach firing works.

I think KD would be a pretty good upgrade to KAT, provided that he stays healthy in the post season. KD is also the type of player that you can plug into any team and he just thrives / gives you the points. I can see KD replacing KAT could make the Knicks a potential contender and at least help them get into the finals. Especially the Celtics are probably going to break up the roster / go through major changes. With a healthy KD, I think only the Pacers and Cavs can be a threat to the Knicks, and the Knicks have a good chance of making ECF or even Finals next season.

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined OP 13 Jun

Most of that last paragraph is still true if they just keep KAT, though.

I think getting a better offensive scheme is way more important than upgrading KAT, but it's something they need to do either way.

53 sats \ 0 replies \ @gnilma 13 Jun

Let's see what the new coach will be able to do. Somehow I have a feeling that this firing of Thibs is not going to end well for the Knicks. Let's hope I'm wrong. I hate to see a contending go to shit, especially in the East.

42 sats \ 4 replies \ @grayruby 13 Jun

No because KD will be hurt and out long term well before the playoffs roll around. If they are lucky he might get hurt the first month of the season and come back in time to shake the rust off and thrive in the playoffs. Doesn't seem like a solid enough bet to trade KAT for.

Besides the Raptors are trading for KD.

40 sats \ 3 replies \ @Undisciplined OP 13 Jun

And Giannis?!

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @grayruby 13 Jun

Yes him too.

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined OP 13 Jun

So, you'll have about $120M sitting on the bench in street clothes as the playoffs start? That'll be fun.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @grayruby 13 Jun

Yes but it will be fun and we will have such wonderful hopes and dreams until it all comes crashing down. Better to have loved and lost and all.

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @WeAreAllSatoshi 13 Jun

I just like that they’re named after pants

50 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined OP 13 Jun

Teams used to be named after local industries. I wonder if it was related to New York being the fashion capital of the country.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @WeAreAllSatoshi 13 Jun

I remember recently looking into the origins of the name, but I don't remember the specifics anymore. Definitely could be that!