Game Day: Knicks (10-24) @ Suns (13-21), Fri 1/3/20

[Ring_Wanted]

Trying Ayton and Baynes together makes all the sense. You need to tinker with the bench but it can really pay off since Baynes helps covering a lot of Ayton's current flaws and doesn't clog space.

The other lineup adjustment I was considering from the beginning was Oubre from the bench and Bridges starting, but the way Tsunami Papi is playing there is no way you bench him (and Bridges is showing too little offensively to reward him like that).

[LazarusLong]

Re: Knicks ... some random interest in getting Randle or Portis on this board.

The real bargain on that roster is Mitchell Robinson.
Although he was a second-round pick, he has the second highest VORP of the 2018 draft class.
Mikal Bridges is fourth.

[Wally_West]

Ayton has played 5 games this season.

In those 5 games, he has missed all together 30 games...

Wow, that's impressive how he was able to miss 30 games in only 5 games. Frankly, I didn't even know it was possible. Forget learning how to box out and be aggressive...

Lol! I should’ve phrased that better.

[JeremyG]

Proof Ayton is on drugs and thus has to take diuretics to mask them (j/k...maybe):

[carey]

Proof Ayton is on drugs and thus has to take diuretics to mask them (j/k...maybe):

The more I learn about him and see of him the less I like. He’s no Tsunami Papi that’s for sure.

[INFORMER]

I was excited to see the Ayton Baynes combo as were many I’m sure. The experiment was ok for a first time. It seems to force Baynes into the side threes where he is much less accurate than his straight away ones.

Interesting observation.

I thought those were good looks at the end of the game; he definitely needs to be able to hit those.

[LazarusLong]

In theory, yes. EJ commented that Baynes probably is comfortable shooting treys from the top of the circle as the backboard provides a better target and perspective.

[In2ition]

I was excited to see the Ayton Baynes combo as were many I’m sure. The experiment was ok for a first time. It seems to force Baynes into the side threes where he is much less accurate than his straight away ones.

Interesting observation.

I thought those were good looks at the end of the game; he definitely needs to be able to hit those.

Those were good looks, but he's not very good at 3's anywhere other than the top of the key.

[Superbone]

I was excited to see the Ayton Baynes combo as were many I’m sure. The experiment was ok for a first time. It seems to force Baynes into the side threes where he is much less accurate than his straight away ones.

Interesting observation.

I thought those were good looks at the end of the game; he definitely needs to be able to hit those.

Those were good looks, but he's not very good at 3's anywhere other than the top of the key.

He needs to take notes from PJ Tucker on corner 3s in Phoenix.

[Aztec Sunsfan]

Re: Knicks ... some random interest in getting Randle or Portis on this board.

The real bargain on that roster is Mitchell Robinson.
Although he was a second-round pick, he has the second highest VORP of the 2018 draft class.
Mikal Bridges is fourth.

Of course he is, but NY would be absolutely crazy or stupid to have him available... on a second tought... could we please start the phone call trying to get him straight up for Kaminsky??? You never know with those guys...

[O_Gardino]

Ayton and Baynes starting together is partly about adding defense to the front line, partly about putting the best players on the court as much as possible, and partly how bad Dario has been.

I was a big Saric supporter this summer, but boy has he been a disappointment. The problem for him - and this is 100% on him - is that he has been at his best in the first quarter. He has had a few moments late in games, but overall he has just been bad in quarters 2-4. So losing his starting spot means he losses his only productive minutes.He looks like he lost his fire to compete.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/pl ... oting/2020

Code: Select all

Quarter	FG	FGA	FG%	3P	3PA	3P%	eFG%	Ast'd	%Ast'd
1st	57	114	.500	20	54	.370	.588	43	.754
2nd	25	57	.439	9	30	.300	.518	23	.920
3rd	36	90	.400	13	42	.310	.472	28	.778
4th	18	48	.375	8	26	.308	.458	15	.833

[Indy]

Is this Bookers best stretch of his career?

yes

[Indy]

It’s not a rebound if he doesn’t rub his butt up against someone. I am desperate to see some butt rubbing

this

[Mori Chu]

That's really interesting about Saric and the 1st quarter. What to make of that information? Does he get fatigued? Does the team go away from him after the first quarter? Should we play him in the first and then bench him for the rest of the game?

[Cap]

Is this Bookers best stretch of his career?

yes

In terms of individual stats, he had a pretty remarkable run in March. 11 straight games of 25+, including 59-50-48 in consecutive games. Also had double-digit assists in five of those games.

Didn’t translate to team success though. When he scored 59, we lost by 33. That feat is likely to remain unmatched for a very long time.