LaMarcus Aldridge made his first start of the season tonight, replacing Blake Griffin at center for the game in Boston, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Griffin has been struggling with his shot and Aldridge said he’s been having trouble adjusting to a reserve role, so the move seemed inevitable.
“Our spacing has struggled at times and also has hurt our pace a little bit,” coach Steve Nash said. “So we try to find different combinations that work and also that style of play. Keep pushing towards an identity. We’re not a team that can just iso and just play slow because we don’t have a ton of shooting out there. So if we’re going to play against loaded defenses, it’s going to be hard no matter if your name is Kevin Durant or James Harden. It’s just tough to go one-on-two, one-on-three with that picture.”
Aldridge has been an effective mid-range shooter throughout his career, which should open up more room for the two stars. He has been a strong contributor off the bench all season and is averaging 20.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in his last three games while shooting 57.1% from the field.
There’s more from New York City:
- Cameron Thomas provided a spark for the Nets‘ offense in Monday’s win at Cleveland, but the rookie guard will have to remain patient for his opportunities, according to Chris Milholen of NetsDaily. “I think he’s a kid we all love and think has a bright future but sometimes these early stages in the season and you’re in tight games, it’s difficult with some of the mistakes that are just inevitable with these young guys,” Nash said.
- Obi Toppin has become part of a productive Knicks bench in his second NBA season, per Peter Botte of The New York Post. Toppin is seeing regular playing time this year after averaging just 11 minutes per game as a rookie. “I’m not gonna say I got discouraged, just because I knew my time would get there,” he said. “I never show emotion a lot. I take it out on the court. … If I’m upset about something, run the floor and get an easy dunk or something, that’s gonna make me feel better. But I’ve never really showed emotion, like, I’m always the same guy. I have a lot of joy, a lot of excitement for this game, and I love playing in New York.”
- If the Knicks don’t improve, team president Leon Rose and the rest of the front office should be blamed for not finding a better backcourt when they had $50MM to spend in free agency, contends Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News. New York wound up with Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, who have been bad defensively and haven’t jelled with the rest of the starters, Bondy states.
Walker and Fournier are the reasons for the poor D. If they’re not hitting their shots, they are a glowing weakness. Both would be better coming off the bench in reduced roles.
D Rose should be starting for Kemba at this point.
Never thought I would ever hear ‘DRose is a better defensive choice’ but I guess everything is relative
Not sure there were options. Derozan does not play guard anymore per Bas.Ref. The depth is good is it not… Play the high-PER guys more, Burks and Rose!
I thought Barrett would do better under the changed rules, attacking closeouts, but he must have been purposed to defense. I am not a big fan of that… Results usually disappoint.
Everyone thought DeRozan was washed up…surprise! But he often plays SG role in various Donovan rotations, he is more versatile than I thought.
DeRozan has played 2,3,4, and even 1 role this year depending upon matchups.
Former Raptors are always underrated and overlooked by fans who never watch them because they don’t get played on TV in the US unless it’s in the finals, which they won 3 years ago in case you weren’t paying attention. DeRozan played 1,2,3 and 4 in Toronto too you know. They just ran into prime Lebron teams for years and he had their number.
Believe it was more Spurs Derozan thays surprising him, not really the Toronto version, which every legitimate NBA fan knew how good of a player he was back then..
Toronto and their players were never really underrated btw. Their versatility, their tough defense, and their ability to develop was never really ever questioned. The only issue most people had with Toronto was just that they were a very solid team, unless they were playing LeBron. LeBron was a big hurdle they could never get over, until Kawhi put them on his back and went nuts.
I’m not really sure any players have been overlooked or less appreciated just because they play in Toronto..Recently everyone knew DD was a versatile bucket, Lowry was a little bulldog, and also Brogdon and Powell were coached up and groomed into very solid role players with upside…
Just like Siakam and FVV, you won’t find very man fans that wouldn’t want those two, and think that they aren’t very solid rising players that seemingly get better each and every year…
You are probably right, at least offensively. Thats why I mention Bas.Ref.; that is their stat I mention. To what I see, Derozan pretty much does what he wants on ofense.
I don’t see Thibs being interested in this though; in Derozan setting the tone or moving around the positions. I suspect Donovan told him what he wanted to hear in free agency and Thibs did not… would not after the successful year he had coaching.
The knicks likely thought that DeRozan decreases spacing as a poor 3 point shooter thereby staggering their other guys who aren’t particularly great shooters. However the sum of the parts of DeRozan outweighs this.
One of the bench guards has to start for the Knicks. It might help if Fournier becomes a sixth man type player. Or even Walker.
If the draft was done over, would you take Barrett or Jordan Poole? … I know which one I would take.
RJ all the way!
I know RJ ain’t delivering, but no player can be good playing for killjoy Thibs, right?
Once finally NYK fire Thibs or RJ manages to escape the asylum we will see how good he is, is a very complete player, which is what true superstars are made of… meanwhile Poole is just a shooter, which is the stuff of the role players!
true thibs only coached an mvp in the past and lead a garbage team to the playoffs last year
Poole is a yr older. And up until today . Can’t touch RJ as 2way player. Not even close. You think a few gms makes a career huh. Stay a fan lol.
link to basketball-reference.com
link to basketball-reference.com
After ten yrs. One will be a multiple all star. The other will still be coming off the bench. I know which one that will be. LOL
Time will tell. As the former governor of California once said … I’ll be back …
El Donnie should take up another sport. Sports is not about what you want or like. It happens no matter what we think or feel. Grow up and get Knowledge lol.
Nets looked good against Celtics. And Celtics didn’t have same fire they showed for Lakers. Nets are playing better. Harden doesn’t look in great shape to me. Nets with a full squad (without Kyrie). Are starting to build a good product. Harden is better at PG to me. Cause he’s more an ast guy. When he gets in real game shape. And they keep building on this. This Nets team is very good. And can win the East imo. They are deeper than I thought. Aldridge still looks good. And with limited mins can give you great production. KD is just a great player, truly a GOAT. Probably breaks into to all time top 10 scoring list. By end of year. Truly Amazing. The way the Nets are progressing now. A Kyrie trade has to happen. They don’t need him and why would you want him now. What they can get for him. Puts this team in Finals. That’s what I’d be looking for.
lmao Harden is the #3 producer right now behind Steph and LaMelo
crazy you think he’s out of shape
C Thomas is a talented kid. But he is all about scoring. Still has a lot to learn. I would of played him in G-league and just teach him. Bring him up after learning, much later.
Last year there were a lot of posters here. Who dissed Toppin and Knicks selecting him. When will you learn. That all players need time to adjust to NBA. So top shooting down 19 yr olds and get knowledge. Toppin realized he needed to get in better shape. He is
out-working players. And is more committed to his craft. His wind is better. His handle is better. His D is better. Even his shot is better. He’s winning Thibs over. With Hard Work. Love to see it in players.
Like I said it ALL last year. I was the biggest Haliburton guy on this syte. And I was overjoyed to get Obi1. Still am.
Truth is now. With the commitment to Randle. Toppin has become a great chip to get another all star. J Grant is the guy I would want. A young vet who plays both ways. And can play the 3-4. So mins for Randle, Fournier, RJ would not be an issue. They could all still play 30 mins plus. I see Knicks making a big trade this yr. Our young talent is starting to show. So now is the time.
How do you propose getting Grant? There is a thing called the salary cap. Any trade offer would need to include Fournier who had been incredibly disappointing in NYC at the moment.
Grant is on books for 20 mill. That very tradable. Mitch and Obi are two players who fit their age and rebuilding. Could be TWO core pieces. You should concentrate on that. Numbers can easily be arranged to work. It’s the talent and future that matters.
I’d even add a #1 pick. That’s how much I like and believe in his fit with us. Fournier is not going anywhere. We need his shooting. It will come. Cause he’s always done it.
Al, I’m looking at the NYK cap situation. They need to give up Burks ($9.5M), Obi ($5.5M), and Taj ($4.9M) just to offset Grant’s $20M. Salary wise that’s what needs to be sent. Let’s talk about draft compensation: it would likely require a protected 2022 1-14 pick along with a 2025 unprotected 1st. Even if this proposal is agreed upon, Pistons would need to send 2 players back. Long story short, I don’t see NYK getting Grant unless another team is involved or they give up Fournier. Also, Grant is a nice player I am not going to discredit him or your opinion, but does he move the needle for this team? Why not try to wait and see what Beal does this offseason and go after him? It seems like the Knicks will be in perpetual basketball hell with numerous 2nd or ECF exits but never break thru in the East, if they get Grant. I would wait to see what Beal does before anything for Knicks, but that’s just me. Otherwise you’re really selling your team high on potential with a bunch of “nice players”. NBA you need atleast one superstar and as good as Randle is and has been for you guys, he’s not s superstar.