Post by irish2u2 on Sept 24, 2023 16:50:41 GMT -5
A look forward to the 2023-24 season. I won’t be talking about Evan Fournier except to say he will either be traded or released before the final roster gets set. Charlie Brown, Daquan Jeffries, Trevor Keels, Nathan Knight, Jaylen Martin, Jacob Toppin, Duane Washington and Dylan Winkler are all developmental players. I have no idea how Ryan Arciadocono fits in but I will refer to him as RA cause there is no way I remember the spelling of his last name. 
Right now the guys who make the top 12 are RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Quentin Grimes, Josh Hart, Isiah Hartenstein, Miles McBride, Immanuel Quickley, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Isaiah Ruby, and Jericho Sims. I’m thinking RA makes the roster leaving two slots open. It’s anybody’s guess who makes the team though IMHO the favorites are Brown, Jeffries and Martin.
I’d imagine any trade involving Fournier won’t involve a player back but will involve a draft choice from the Knicks. Likely a second rounder. The only exception is if a bigger trade materializes we know nothing about now and Fournier’s salary is needed as filler. There was some talk about Marcus Morris but if the Clippers need shooting they should call the Pacers about Buddy Hield.
The Knicks only made two big moves this summer. They signed Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. IMHO Hart and Donte are basically the same player, Swiss Army knife guys who can play smart two way basketball. They both bring long distance shooting and both are exceptional rebounders. Both are excellent team and individual defenders. Donte’s strength is shooting guard but he can play some point too while Hart can play SG, SF and PF. In watching some video of DiVincenzo one thing stands out that he is a terrific cutter to the basket and while known for his hops and dunks he is creative around the rim with his shots and passes.
But… neither Hart or DiVincenzo are superstar players and that’s what the Knicks need. Maybe. While I think Randle has pretty much hit his ceiling as a player, and he’s definitely a star player, Jalen Brunson can get better. He’s a relentless worker always looking to improve his game and last year was his first year as a starter and main scorer for his team. While averaging 24 PPG he shot 49% from the field and 41.6% from the 3 point line. With a year under his belt I think he moves into the role as primary scorer mostly because he can get his own shot and he shoots better than Julius.
On the theme of improvement RJ Barrett just turned 23 and IQ just turned 24. They aren’t near their ceiling either. RJ was especially impressive in the World Cup for Canada where even though he had two games where he went 2-18 he still shot 45% for the tournament and 37% from the 3 point line while averaging nearly 17 PPG. Quickley had an awful start to last season but ended up on a positive note finishing second in the 6th Player award to Malcolm Brogdon while shooting 45% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc while averaging 15 PPG. How well the Knicks do in 2023-24 depends a lot on how much their young players improve which brings us to Mitchell Robinson.
It is said Hakeem Olajuwon charges $50,000 a week for his Big Man skills camp. Mitchell should spend the summer with The Dream. Seriously Mitch is a great team defender and rebounder. He works hard and is extremely athletic. He is still just 25 years old and I have seen him shoot!! He can make shots but he needs to learn footwork, how to use jump hooks and trust in his ability to make the shots improved footwork and moves will get him. You bump up Robinson to 12-17 PPG and make him a threat and it opens up all kinds of possibilities especially with the ability of the Nova guys to find their big men for open and easy shots.
The Knicks made themselves into a solid playoff team last season. They have plenty of room to get better finishing middle of the pack in scoring offense and defense. A full season of Hart helps as does the acquisition of DiVincenzo. I think the starters are the same with RJ at SF, Julius at PF, Mitch in the middle and Brunson and Quentin Grimes at the guards. I really have no doubt that Brunson and RJ will get better. I have felt for a long time that Grimes could be the secret weapon of the Knicks and even if Mitch plays the same he should get better numbers because he has players on his team now that look for the bigs. The big question is Randle. The Knicks need Randle to perform at a steady rate. Because the Knicks have added shooters Randle doesn’t need to attempt 8 treys a game. Cut that number in half and Randle’s offensive numbers get a big boost.
The big news for the Knicks is the bench with Hart, DiVincenzo, IQ, Hartenstein, Roby, Sims, RA and Deuce coming off the bench. Let me state now that Deuce and Sims could be finds. If Duece finds his stroke he can have a huge effect with his defense and Sims has a golden opportunity to grab backup PF minutes. He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s a monster off the boards and he got some burn last season and that helps. In fact the reason I wasn’t so sad to see Obi Toppin traded was because Sims is a better fit at backup PF. He’s a better defender and much better rebounder than Obi with the potential to be adequate on offense. Obi was a lot of fun but his best game is a transitional offense that allows him to run. He’s an average rebounder and below average defender. Watching Quickly turn into a stellar defender begs the question why not Obi too but it never happened.
The real boost for the second unit is Hart, Donte, IQ and Hartenstein as the first four off the bench. I love this depth and what they all bring to the table. There is a lot of two way play in these guys that bolsters the defense while still providing for a potent offense. I watched a good bit of DiVincenzo tape and all I can say is Knicks fans will love him! Plus he is another smart player who can hit the 3 point shots.
I believe the Knicks will be improved. I believe the Knicks are a contender. I still believe the Knicks aren’t done yet. They have all those picks and enough good young players to swing a blockbuster deal. I can’t predict if they will or they won’t but as is they will be fun to watch.
Right now the guys who make the top 12 are RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Quentin Grimes, Josh Hart, Isiah Hartenstein, Miles McBride, Immanuel Quickley, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Isaiah Ruby, and Jericho Sims. I’m thinking RA makes the roster leaving two slots open. It’s anybody’s guess who makes the team though IMHO the favorites are Brown, Jeffries and Martin.
I’d imagine any trade involving Fournier won’t involve a player back but will involve a draft choice from the Knicks. Likely a second rounder. The only exception is if a bigger trade materializes we know nothing about now and Fournier’s salary is needed as filler. There was some talk about Marcus Morris but if the Clippers need shooting they should call the Pacers about Buddy Hield.
The Knicks only made two big moves this summer. They signed Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo. IMHO Hart and Donte are basically the same player, Swiss Army knife guys who can play smart two way basketball. They both bring long distance shooting and both are exceptional rebounders. Both are excellent team and individual defenders. Donte’s strength is shooting guard but he can play some point too while Hart can play SG, SF and PF. In watching some video of DiVincenzo one thing stands out that he is a terrific cutter to the basket and while known for his hops and dunks he is creative around the rim with his shots and passes.
But… neither Hart or DiVincenzo are superstar players and that’s what the Knicks need. Maybe. While I think Randle has pretty much hit his ceiling as a player, and he’s definitely a star player, Jalen Brunson can get better. He’s a relentless worker always looking to improve his game and last year was his first year as a starter and main scorer for his team. While averaging 24 PPG he shot 49% from the field and 41.6% from the 3 point line. With a year under his belt I think he moves into the role as primary scorer mostly because he can get his own shot and he shoots better than Julius.
On the theme of improvement RJ Barrett just turned 23 and IQ just turned 24. They aren’t near their ceiling either. RJ was especially impressive in the World Cup for Canada where even though he had two games where he went 2-18 he still shot 45% for the tournament and 37% from the 3 point line while averaging nearly 17 PPG. Quickley had an awful start to last season but ended up on a positive note finishing second in the 6th Player award to Malcolm Brogdon while shooting 45% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc while averaging 15 PPG. How well the Knicks do in 2023-24 depends a lot on how much their young players improve which brings us to Mitchell Robinson.
It is said Hakeem Olajuwon charges $50,000 a week for his Big Man skills camp. Mitchell should spend the summer with The Dream.
Seriously Mitch is a great team defender and rebounder. He works hard and is extremely athletic. He is still just 25 years old and I have seen him shoot!! He can make shots but he needs to learn footwork, how to use jump hooks and trust in his ability to make the shots improved footwork and moves will get him. You bump up Robinson to 12-17 PPG and make him a threat and it opens up all kinds of possibilities especially with the ability of the Nova guys to find their big men for open and easy shots. The Knicks made themselves into a solid playoff team last season. They have plenty of room to get better finishing middle of the pack in scoring offense and defense. A full season of Hart helps as does the acquisition of DiVincenzo. I think the starters are the same with RJ at SF, Julius at PF, Mitch in the middle and Brunson and Quentin Grimes at the guards. I really have no doubt that Brunson and RJ will get better. I have felt for a long time that Grimes could be the secret weapon of the Knicks and even if Mitch plays the same he should get better numbers because he has players on his team now that look for the bigs. The big question is Randle. The Knicks need Randle to perform at a steady rate. Because the Knicks have added shooters Randle doesn’t need to attempt 8 treys a game. Cut that number in half and Randle’s offensive numbers get a big boost.
The big news for the Knicks is the bench with Hart, DiVincenzo, IQ, Hartenstein, Roby, Sims, RA and Deuce coming off the bench. Let me state now that Deuce and Sims could be finds. If Duece finds his stroke he can have a huge effect with his defense and Sims has a golden opportunity to grab backup PF minutes. He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s a monster off the boards and he got some burn last season and that helps. In fact the reason I wasn’t so sad to see Obi Toppin traded was because Sims is a better fit at backup PF. He’s a better defender and much better rebounder than Obi with the potential to be adequate on offense. Obi was a lot of fun but his best game is a transitional offense that allows him to run. He’s an average rebounder and below average defender. Watching Quickly turn into a stellar defender begs the question why not Obi too but it never happened.
The real boost for the second unit is Hart, Donte, IQ and Hartenstein as the first four off the bench. I love this depth and what they all bring to the table. There is a lot of two way play in these guys that bolsters the defense while still providing for a potent offense. I watched a good bit of DiVincenzo tape and all I can say is Knicks fans will love him! Plus he is another smart player who can hit the 3 point shots.
I believe the Knicks will be improved. I believe the Knicks are a contender. I still believe the Knicks aren’t done yet. They have all those picks and enough good young players to swing a blockbuster deal. I can’t predict if they will or they won’t but as is they will be fun to watch.
