I haven't been able to watch any Knicks games so far this season - can you tell me about the improvement you're seeing in Obi's game? I know a lot of people want him to get some time at C too but there are defensive questions there. Does Obi look competent guarding PFs this year?

And what's going on with Randle? I'm assuming the spacing is much improved this year with RJ's growth as a shooter, Fournier, Kemba etc - is Randle just not attacking anymore and falling in love with tough mid rangers/fadeaways/threes? How's his defense this year?

Randle is on a team friendly contract rn but there are definitely some thorns in navigating potential trades - guy that propelled the first good season in almost a decade, UFA this summer and both him and his agent gonna be pushing for a max no matter how this season goes off the MIP/all star/all NBA nods from last season.

Obi has made some significant improvements in his game, and I think that mostly stems from him having a more understood role this season. He knows that he is the #3 option in the second unit with Rose or IQ taking point. He's much more faster, confident, and coordinated. Personally I think his defense has also improved immensely. I still don't think it is good enough for him to be able to start, however it's only going to get better the more players he defends. He definitely has the chops to defend other PFs effectively.

As for Randle...man I do not know what the hell is going on with dude. We have much more spacing and shooting in the starting unit and for some reason he's reverting back to the beyblade ISO s*** he was doing in 2019. Which leads to the offense of the starting unit being stagnant and alot of hero ball whenever anybody else gets the ball, which leads to everyone playing poorly. Fournier, Kemba, and RJ aren't in rhythm so they end up chucking up terrible shots. Everybody gets shook cause their shots ain't landing so now they start slacking on the defensive end.

I think Thibs has realized the issues and is getting on Randle to pass the ball more lately (over the last 3 games) so it seems like we might just be turning the corner and getting back on track. But as it stands now, the second unit has been playing far and away much better than the starters. They have kept us in games after the starters gave up big leads or when we were trailing by 15pts. Second unit has just been on point offensively and defensively.

Much love for such a through breakdown 🙏🏾

Love hearing that about Obi because dude plays hard as s*** and I don't want him to just be the pick that should have been Haliburton. Hope he continues to improve.

The bench outplaying the starters is one of the things I've been hearing about the most this season but Randle's poor play getting the other starters out of rhythm and that affecting their defense as well is mad interesting to me and something I haven't heard anywhere else.

Bulls been one of my favorite teams to watch this season so I'd love to check this game but since this is gonna be a back to back Imma lock in on the Lakers game on Tuesday instead to try see some of the stuff you're talking about. If they can't at least play well against that dysfunctional no defense team at home

we so desperately need more IQ and Obi minutes.

Yeah Randle is still the team's "engine" in regards to the starting lineup so when he isn't passing the ball, dribbling the air out of it, and spinning into double teams the rest of the starters are gonna feel it.

In his defense at the very least, the other starters have been streaky with their three point shooting, and we have somehow become a team that lives and dies by the three in the matter of a single off season. So if Kemba, RJ, and Fournier are in a shooting slump Randle feels its on him to be the hero and unfortunately it just doesn't work anymore as other teams have his game figured out now.

I think Randle, RJ and Fournier will figure it out over the course of the season tbh. Kemba the only guy I'm really worried about. He's just not bringing anything of value rn

Just like that Randle back

Did we have enough cap space to get Lonzo instead of Kemba?

He played well

The team lost tho :word:

Not his fault your boy RJ went 2-12

Maybe if we had a No. 1 option none of this would happen

gimme that fox iq rj zion obi starting lineup

Y'all didn't wanna trade RJ for Lillard

Who’s y’all?

fanbase is/was nuts for this and im prolly bout as high as anyone on rj

Seems like Bulls had that deal agreed with Lonzo for months don't think we had a shot

Why should we give up RJ? Not like getting Lillard guarantees us the chip. No point in giving up young pieces. Would be down to give up Randle for him

RJ at whatever his peak is will never be better than what Lillard is. That's an easy upgrade. Blazers not taking Randle for Dame but RJ might make them think about it at least

Rose out tonight, want to see Grimes or McBride get some mins

Anyone have a good stream? All of the options I’ve tried suck. Either that or Verizon just not f***in wit me

quickley

Lol