"Death to the Pessimistic State of Mind" - Nas Voice: NYK '23 Pre-Season Thread

[storyteller]

Sidenote: on the Play-in game discussion...I devoted my closing thoughts for the Mavs recap to it. The full recap probably won't go live until after work hours because we're a busy bunch and editors really dress up my work with bells and whistles that are worth the wait...but I don't think it hurts to share the closing thoughts draft since it's like a fifth of the full piece and I think the player profiles are the big draw...

Closing Thoughts
I’m going to need a little bit more before I make my way over to team “play-in rather than lottery.” The schedule is tough with a razor-thin margin for error to even have a chance. The Knicks have to win their games against Brooklyn, Charlotte, Washington, and Atlanta to really make a push. Beyond that, they’ll need to steal some wins from Memphis, Utah, Chicago, Miami, Cleveland, and Toronto.

Winning those games is within New York’s control. But they’ll need help from the teams ahead of them. Every one of those teams has as good or a better record than New York over the last ten games, let alone the season. So we’re hoping for the Knicks to turn a very late corner and for those teams to slow down. I’d love to see a play-in game, but realistically it’s an uphill battle out of the hole New York dug for itself.

But do you know what could give me optimism? Beating the Grizzlies on Friday night. That’s an elite team that ran their mouths over nationally televised slots for the Knicks. They’re better than anybody New York beat in this three-game stretch and arguably anyone they’ll play the rest of the way. If New York wants to instill confidence beyond tepid hopes, they’ve gotta beat Memphis.

Is that game winnable? I think so. Memphis has calmed down a little since a ridiculous 10-game run that included beating the Knicks. But even if New York just shows up and competes in a dogfight, that will make me happy. The young guys are showing out, the rotation is more fun than it has been all year, and the future is bright with or without a play-in slot. So let’s enjoy these Knicks riding momentum into a showdown with a contender regardless of the result. I’ll see you there Knicks fam!

And in case yall missed it, my recap from the Sacramento game is here: New York Knicks defeat Sacramento Kings 131-115: Flipping the script

That one's got closing thoughts that mention the weird Randle/CP twitter exchanges by the end...also a Miles McBride comparison to 90's Knicks defense in his profile bit.

 

[TOAD99]

IQ season has returned

 

[OsO]

Knicks aren't making the play-in.

The Wizards aren't a threat but unless the Hornets completely collapse, Knicks are on the outside looking in.

 

[DPresidential]

Y'all know me...

I'm one of the most optimistic Knicks fans...


But, I'm not sold. You'll know if I'm back under the "we believe" bus when I change the thread title. This team hurt me, brehs.

So disheartening. I've been happy with what I've seen the last few days but...

No, y'all not pulling me back in just yet, Knickerbockers.

 

[Wargames]

Respectfully, not Respectfully fukk the playin

 

[Wargames]

Right now, no. If we go 12-4 to finish the season, the narrative is gonna be “Thibs turns season around by leaning on youth”. THAT helps us just as much as drafting TyTy Washington imo. Maybe Brunson was leaning towards staying in Dallas 2 weeks ago, but now is reconsidering it.



We can bring Mitch back for this. I thought he was gonna command 15-18.

We got 12-4 and the narrative will be the Knicks aren't firing Thibs....

Nothing else

 

[storyteller]

Recap has arrived fam!

 

[ISO]

Hate this nikka this clown was holding Thibs back when he was angry too his self awareness trash

 

[Morethan1]

 

[RickyGQ]

Helped spark the “turnaround” and can’t even be around to reap the benefits. Sad cam for real…

 

[Anerdyblackguy]

Aww man this sucks because Cam was just starting to get minutes.

 

[23Barrettcity]

Teams do this all the time…. Only the Knicks are like “we can’t purposely lose games”. If the warriors can sit guys at the end of a season, the Knicks can do the same. It’s called “load management”.

20+ years no PG. They got talent at every other roster spot…. But no PG and all they got to

breh settle down ! We only won 5 of our last 17 games you want the whole team benched or something? How much more do you want us to suck ? We need to be able to bike up our vets value somewhat and especially get the young guys game experience.

 

[NY's #1 Draft Pick]

We got the worst fukking luck man

 

[RickyGQ]

He’s a bit out of our range right now, but is Cam Johnson a good comp for Keegan Murray?

 

[Anerdyblackguy]

This is going to be so tough to beat Memphis with the way Adams and Jackson control the paint.