I don't love it that this is the case, but Dougie probably needs more minutes. He moves without the ball, he makes decent decisions, he creates easier baskets for this team. He's an awful defender, and doesn't consistently execute when he has the space (for a jumper or a drive) - but he's competent enough that there's no reason Beasley should play.
Knicks took a tough L last night, but it was an exciting game against the team that will likely represent the East in the finals -- that's a good thing. They're not supposed to be good this year. They're supposed to be bad but competitive. They're supposed to still make some youngish team mistakes. Would have been dope to blow out LeBron after him talking that shyt. But the knicks aren't there yet. That's fine.
A couple stray observations
- The offense broke down in the 4th, and it was because they stopped running plays, EVEN a pick and roll.
- Because the cavs shot so poorly for 3 quarters, the Knicks got lazy on the perimeter, and letting Korver heat up with space let the Cavs creep back into it.
- Iso'ing KP with LeBron guarding him was bad coaching. That is the worst kind of matchup for him, a stronger, more athletic defender, who doesn't need to give him any room to shoot
- Lance/Frank should have been subbed in at the 6-7 minute mark in the 4th. Jack/Kanter killed us on D
- Kanter played about as great as Kanter can play, and he gets bonus points for standing up for Frank. I don't like depending on him to give us minutes, but I like him.
- Hornacek botched this game down the stretch, i respect him trying to let them play through it, but you gotta yank the reins a few times to get the team in line.
- GOOD ON FRANK for pushing LeBron out of his way. LeBron is out here trying to give himself vendettas and chips on his shoulder, so he plays harder (classic MJ motivation maneuver) and got himself hyped to play a 19 year old french point guard rookie. And frank didn't back down. Cool. Frank is gonna be fine. The kid is a menace on D.
- Wade jumped in late with a few cagey veteran moves - offensive boards, key steal, etc ... not having a guy like that hurts.
- Lee looks more aggressive than I've ever seen him, and I love it.
- When they finally realize that KP at the 5 is a potent lineup, somebody on the coaching staff is going to have to teach him and Hardaway to box out - because they don't do it.
- Gonna see another tough rookie wednesday, in Donovan Mitchell.
It's funny, this thread FOR YEARS NOW has been largely in support of moral victories -- Winning meaningless games during horrific seasons, when losing was their only hope to improve. Now you've got guys bailing from the team, coming back in just to troll, making fun of a team playing hard -- because their favorite player got traded, or because they really liked phil jackson?
:Saunders: I see what's happening.
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I saw some videos on Diallo somewhere and that nikka looks legit. Educate me, breh.
