Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau may be pulling the plug on struggling point guard Elfrid Payton, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. He played just eight minutes in Game 1 against the Hawks on Sunday. Thibodeau was noncommittal on how he’ll use Payton the remainder of the series.
“Regards to Elfrid, we always put the best players out there that will help us win the game,’’ he said. “So some guys are a bit better than others in situations, some guys may be going well. Whoever is going well, we have confidence in everyone on the roster.’’
Payton is headed to unrestricted free agency this summer.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Knicks forward Julius Randle, a finalist for this season’s Most Improved Player award, is certain he’ll play better in Game 2, Peter Botte of the New York Post relays. He shot 6-for-23 from the field in the opener. “It’s the name of the playoffs, you make the necessary adjustments, and I look forward to that, and like I said, look forward to the next game,” he said. “Shots, opportunity, challenge, that’s what I’m encouraged by. When you’re trying to figure out how to solve a problem, it’s a process. For me, that’s what really makes this whole thing fun.”
- Knicks center Nerlens Noel, who will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, suffered an ankle injury in the playoff opener and his status for Wednesday’s game is uncertain, according to Joseph Staszewski of the New York Post. “He tweaked his ankle, so we’ll see where he is [Tuesday],’’ Thibodeau said. The extra day should give Noel enough time to suit up for Game 2, Staszewski speculates.
- Robert Williams presents the Celtics with a dilemma this offseason, Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston notes. They could try to negotiate a modest rookie extension, which wouldn’t kick in until the 2022/23 season. If that doesn’t happen, his price tag could rise. Williams has had trouble staying on the court due to hip ailments but the 23-year-old big man might just be scratching the surface of his potential, Forsberg adds.
Ok so they guy has been struggling for over a month. Why wouldn’t you have Frank ready in case you need him. Geez play him in Gleague. Play him so he can help. Young is their offense. Don’t you think you want your best defenders ready. Especially when pPayton is struggling. To me they are basically the same player. Start Frank give him 24-28 mins. You will see.
link to insider.com
Geez where have we heard this before. Thibs ran Rose to ground once before. He’s panicking and going to do it again. Rose is best off the bench and at under 30 mins. Quickly is only a shooter and a Rook. Give Frank Payton’s mins. What 20-24 mins ain’t goi g to kill you. You already chocked once.
Frank is horrible. Only Knox is worse. DSJ held the title until he was dealt.
I’m not sure why you’re so obsessed with playing Frank when he is worse than Payton in nearly every way. If Frank played 20-24 minutes the other night, they would have lost by 10. He’s terrible. He is one of the worst players in the league. He does not make the team better.
If you’re going to give Payton’s minutes to anyone, you split them between IQ and Rose and whatever other rotational lineup you can come up with. Maybe Frank a few minutes here and there for a breather but that’s it.
BURKS. Nit had his chances. Many. He will disappear for France after this yr. Finally, after so many headlines for several years. Years ago posters were saying, trade him so his name goes away. But nobody wants him.
Rose, Quickley, Alex Burks and Bullock are better than John Wall, but Frank and DSJ are not
John Wall would be 10th man for Knicks
If Mitch is healthy
Lol
Why?
It’s all about efficiency
John Wall FG
40% and 31.7%
Defensive FG 48.4%, poor defender
Very high for guards
No story here, really. In short, there’s nothing (that really matters) to pull the plug on. Payton was made a nominal starter (at least) 10 games ago, and, to some degree earlier than that. If plays well to start the game, he MAY have a path to 15-20 mins. Not really any more than that at least right now. Our PGs are Rose and Quickley, essentially.
We don’t have PG. Randle leads in ast. And that’s not what we need from him. We need his 25. Rose give you 4 ast off the bench. At least Frank can run offense and play D. Same thing Payton did In beginning of season. PG by committee is all we can do. So if one guy is awful. Sit him and move on. You control Young you win. It’s simple.
Frank can run an offense? Have you watched any of their games when he does play? Comon’…
Please point to any time in his career when Frank ran an offense. Did you forget to add ‘into the ground’ after that? He gives you above average defense and way, way below average offense.
I like Obi1, but damn we should’ve drafted Halliburton. Payton can go…
Yeah. I still think Obi has a bright future, but Halliburton in hindsight was a much better pick.
Problem here? Playoffs are on. If Haliburton was drafted, then no Quickley. It worked fine.
Some Knick fans are way overreacting. It’s one game. Randle had a horrible game and RJ didn’t play great, either. That won’t happen again.
Their top two players had off nights and yet it still came down to a game-winning shot. They just need to stick to their game, trust Thibs, and they’ll be fine.
Agree, they need to give Trae some good ole fashioned Oakley love the 1st half next game.
They had the right tempo; add some extra grit and scoring by Barrett/Randle and you can take the Hawks down
I’m telling my players to smash that little guy even if it gets me a T . He goes nowhere in the lane the whole game without hitting the deck. He can unravel easy and shoot them outta games/ on the same accord when he finds comfort he balls and it makes everyone else job easier … Im excited to see the treatment he gets game 2, things could get rowdy
This issue with Payton is overblown if we have won the game would this be an issue I don’t think so,stick with the lineup that started from day 1 and that got us to the this point. Payton confidence is at a all-time low,everyone 1 to 15 has played a role in putting us in position.1.Keep the lineup the same 2.keep the rotation minutes the same way that got us here. 3.pickup trey young 80 feet full court and make him uncomfortable the entire game.
You know what and I said this when he came and left they got rid of the wrong point guard if you ask me. To me frank could even stay he’s better defensively than payton I would’ve kept rivers he always played with heart win or lose. I watched payton jog after gettin beat by a defender like he didn’t wanna even be on the court. Now he’s definitely gone he’s not doing anything on both sides of the ball.
Nit, Rivers, my ass. Time’s up
Give Randle some credit.. it was a long time before the reversion to the mean. And can the arena staff tone down the tv lights with the roaming deers.