Backup guard Cameron Payne had his second-highest scoring output of the season for the Knicks on Sunday, pouring in 18 points in 14 minutes during the team’s romp past Milwaukee.
“He’s someone who’s very capable of scoring the ball at a high level,” forward Josh Hart told Andrew Crane of the New York Post. “Obviously, playing behind (Jalen Brunson), sometimes he doesn’t get those opportunities. But we know what he’s capable of, and that’s just gonna continue to fuel his confidence and our confidence in him.”
Payne is playing on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- The Knicks are operating near a second-apron hard cap, so there are limitations to what they could do on the trade market. The Athletic’s James Edwards suggests a number of lower-level acquisitions they could consider, including Simone Fontecchio, Nick Richards and Alec Burks.
- The Raptors have lost three times to the much-improved Pistons and they can take valuable lessons away from Detroit’s rebuilding efforts, Michael Grange of Sportsnet writes. It has taken the Pistons several years to show real progress and Toronto could go through the same process unless it lands a superstar talent via the lottery. “They’ve built it up and, guys have a little more experience, and they bring in a couple more vets who play with those younger guys,” Kelly Olynyk said of the Pistons. “And, you know, you start to build that culture back up, and that those habits up. I mean, it takes what is that, three years, four years before you’re able to really kind of put plan together and put something together on the floor, so … it’s not going to happen overnight. We got to be a little bit patient, but it’ll come together and start to break.”
- The Sixers have dropped five of their last seven games. Paul George says they can’t wait any longer to turn things around, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia relays. “It’s not panic mode, but there’s sort of a desperation that we need to start to play with,” George said. “And look at every game like it matters. From this point forward, every game matters. I think we do have to approach it in that manner, because it’s not going to get any easier.”
Sixers need to dump everyone except Maxey and start over aiming to be good by time of new arena in 2030.
Being a Sixers fan is like rooting for your addict family member and hoping their 7th trip to rehab will be the one that finally gets them sober for good.
The sixers are just a poorly put together roster. Honestly they went into FA market and signed a bunch of over 30 FAs. The sixers need a complete overhaul starting at the top. Morey needs to go
Bad ownerships tend to have that effect on their fanbases…
The constant tease of a good team hidden behind bad decisions…
This is one of the funniest comments I have read in my life, with all due respect
It is so true. Morey is also such an overrated GM. He walked into a tough spot but now he is just signing old free agents every year. The unforgivable thing is signing the Embiid max extension here while you knew the knee was messed up.
Yes Payne can give some scoring gms. Not reliable as a bench scorer. That is Knicks biggest need. A guy like Clarkson is a reliable bench scorer. Beasley on Pistons is a reliable bench scorer. Knicks don’t trade for one. They will have to do it with depth. Go with the guy who is hot. TJ Warren would have to be called up. Thibs also has to use his bench and find that guy that night.
Utah will give you Clarkson if you buy the plane ticket
Danny has been holding out. He always thinks he can get more from NY. But they fit Knicks
Like I said Beasley is a more reliable bench scorer. Torched Knicks tonight. Pistons are better this yr. Young talent is starting to show. But you can’t lose to them at home.
NYK put up another good (offensive) boxscore vs DET. Team shooting line, 50%/ 40%/ 82%. Brunson 31 pts, 11 Ast, KAT 26 pts, 12 Rebs, Bridge 27 pts, 6-8 from 3. BUT, they can’t protect the paint or rim, or attack the offensive glass, so they lose the points in the paint and extra possession (OR and T) battles. Thus, it’s just about make or miss. Oh yeah, they lost.
Hopefully, this season starts anew when Mitch returns.
I would say he’s not a great rim-protector (not so shotblocking or shot altering like more athletic centers), but with the offensive and defensive rebounding, and hustle, and as a bonus offensive game, Valanciunas would be a good addition. Need the rim protector though (Sims? Hukporti?)
Don’t get why Thibs doesn’t use Hukporti. He can guard the middle. Seems they are hiding him so to move Mitch and Sims. Detroit is better. But they should not come to NSG and beat Them. Just shows me Knicks are NOT ready for prime time. I’m going to keep saying it. Precious and Towns playing together. Protects the paint and gets all rebounds. Thibs has to wake up. Starting to annoy me.
the Suxers will be all right.
just gotta trust the process.
Both Embiid and Podcast P’s knees are shot.
Both Embiid and Podcast P have ALWAYS under-performed in the playoffs (when they do reach the playoffs).
Both Embiid and Podcast P are signed to long term massive contracts.
Take a bow, Morey.