Giannis Antetokounmpo will get even more attention than usual when the Bucks visit Madison Square Garden tonight, writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Amid leaguewide speculation that Antetokounmpo could eventually be put on the trade market, Marc Stein recently listed the Knicks as a possible destination.
Bondy is skeptical that the organization still has the assets to make a competitive offer for Antetokounmpo after two massive offseason deals to acquire Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns. New York parted with most of the draft assets it had been saving up, and Bondy believes the team would be easily outbid by Oklahoma City, Houston or San Antonio if Antetokounmpo were to become available.
Bondy states that the immediate concern is finding a way to make the current roster more effective following the offseason shakeup. The Knicks are off to a 3-4 start and don’t seem to have the same cohesion as last season’s team.
“I think we’re still figuring it out,” Bridges said. “Offensively, defensively, we still got to figure it out. Like I said, it’s early. So we just need more time. And we’ll figure it out.”
There’s more from New York:
- Even with the additions of Bridges and Towns, opposing teams continue to focus their defense on stopping Jalen Brunson, observes Steve Popper of Newsday. Until the Knicks figure out how to counter that strategy, they’ll keep having disappointing losses like the one Wednesday in Atlanta, Popper adds. “[Wednesday night], including myself, we came out sluggish and we can’t allow that to happen,” Towns said. “We can’t allow that to happen. We’ve got to impose our will. We’ve got to play New York Knicks basketball right from the giddy-up. We can’t just ease into the game. Yeah, this one’s going to hurt.”
- Tyler Kolek hasn’t cracked the Knicks’ rotation yet, but he already has a high-profile fan, per Ben Steele of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The rookie guard out of Marquette has impressed broadcaster and team legend Walt Frazier with his aggressive style of play. “Tyler is a real team player, a pass-first guard that I really like,” Frazier said. ” And he has a great mentor in Jalen Brunson.”
- Vic Quirolo, who coached Matt Ryan in high school in the New York area, told Adam Zagoria of NJ.com that the newly signed small forward is one of the best shooters he has ever seen. Quirolo speculates that Ryan could eventually become the outside threat the Knicks lost when they sent Donte DiVincenzo to Minnesota in the Towns deal.
A team with KAT on it has a history of being sluggish… That line from KAT might as well be his catchphrase at this point in time…
Giannis for KAT may work… Turning Randle into Giannis would be a major boon for the Knicks…
I’ll have what your having today being its Friday
Possible destination? For what, a vacation?
My goodness where’s the bar at today in sports writing, even the dummies in here with a 1/4 brain know that’s impossible
* Edit~ Opps spoke too soon
Absolutely, the NYK roster has been too staid for too long. As things stand, it’s even possible that they may come together as a team before the season’s end.
The Bucks would be fools to trade their 30 year old rock star.
Get a real head coach. Rebuild.
If you actually watch Knick gms. Then you should be able to see their issues. Bondy only wants clicks and readers. Bucks aren’t moving Giannis, not this yr. Bucks got all yr to figure this out. And getting healthy is probably high on their list.
Knicks are a small team right now (Mitch, Achiuwa). And it’s showing in their rebounding. And in their D closing out gms. Hawks and Rockets both played well against Knicks. And both came back in last 3-4 mins of gm to win it. Knicks didn’t rebound and got outscored in the last mins. Knicks win those Hm’s. then they are 5-2. And there is no talk of Giannis or the team really ………
As a true Knick fan. Who watches every gm. I can tell you that rebounding right now is an issue. KAT is not a premier rim protector. Plus he’s been backed by Rudy last two yrs. Towns has to adjust to Center still. Especially on D. This is why I want Precious starting next to him. It will make this transition easier. Makes us bigger and gives us better rebounding. Hart can play and win sixth man of the yr. Precious starting also will help the offense. Cause it will give Mikal more looks and shots. Precious starting is a win for KAT, win for Mikal, win for the Team. Get healthy Precious we miss you.
Mitch is gone till Jan-Feb. So Knicks need Sims or Hukporti to give us good mins. Hukporti is naturally and instinctively a better big. He’s just raw, still learning. IMO Hukporti is the guy who can help us now. Unless they make a trade for a C. Hukporti is the guy we should be rooting for ………. NYK
I can’t believe Kolek went in 2nd rd. He’s an absolute steal there. He’s and old school PG. Like Clyde says he looks to pass first. Kolek can also shoot. Teams should be looking to trade for this guy. With McBride and Kolek. Knicks have never been this loaded at PG.
Deuce really is a SG, and Kolek, once he wins Thibs over, lets him play there exclusively.
Kolek and Hukporti already look better than Payne and Sims, and are under contract beyond this season, unlike the vets. I really don’t think it’ll be long until Payne and Sims are nailed to the bench.
I don’t see San Antonio having enough for Giannis