Big Blue Huddle

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on February 08, 2024, 11:46:36 PMYeah, all I could think as I watched the game is just how much they miss Brunson. Deuce played well, but he doesn't orchestrate the offense the way Brunson does. Brunson sees the whole court and has an offensive plan in mind, and he makes it work. It's not something that comes with great athleticism, but rather the mental accuman that one needs to conduct 5 guys with the ONLY goal - to win. Bird had it (always scanning the court and tracking teammates out of his sight line) and forced wins. Brunson has it. Not sure I can explain what I am trying to say, but I've seen it my whole life watching basketball. There are super-athletic players that dazzle, and have a long, fluid, basketball player body, but there's a different type that doesn't even look like an extreme athlete who just has a mindset to conduct wins and even force wins and will do whatever it takes to win. Brunson has it. Deuce doesn't...and I like Deuce. Brunson is irreplaceable on this team. It is his innate nature to lead, and leadership doesn't come by fancy athleticism...hard to explain

In the playoffs, and probably the run to the playoffs, Thibs will shorten the bench. Randle's backup is OG and Bogs will play mostly small forward and 2 of these 3 will be on the court when everyone is healthy.  I dont think we'll see very much of Achiewa or Duece as we get to crunch time

Quote from: MightyGiants on February 09, 2024, 08:07:57 AMWink is likely making $2 million instead of $3 million but the hours and the workload is significantly less at the college level

Is that $2 million published anywhere?  Previous DC made about $1.25m.  Also, NIL has changed the college game big time. More of a full time recruiting job

Quote from: Jolly Blue Giant on February 08, 2024, 12:35:04 PMAgreed...this is a heist! Grimes was gone anyway, and the others were never going to play or only see the court except during garbage time. Except Flynn, but he was not a long term solution on this team anyway. And we didn't give up any firsts...friggin amazing!!!

We've added firepower (Bogdanović and Burks are both 40% 3pt shooters and hustle on defense). They are a little older than preferred (not they were ever meant to be long term), but they bring a veteran presence to a team making a run for the title this year. This move gives some real credibility and extra firepower to the bench. It also shows me that Thibs believes in Deuce as the backup PG

Gotta give credit where credit is due...I tip my hat to Leon Rose and Thibs

Assuming no injuries, hopefully, Burkes will back up Brunson at the point.  Part of his value is multiple roles.  I think Duece will be a bench warmer unless the game is a blowout.

The interesting question for me is the lack of defensive attitude and skill Bogdanovic has shown throughout his career.  The Knicks now is as good as any team in the league.  Look how Thibs refused to use Fournier. 

The Athletic is reporting that the Knicks traded with the Pistons.  Knicks get Bogdonovich and Burks giving up Grimes, Fournier, Flynn and 2 2nd round picks. I think s good deal for Knicks not giving ip a 1st

I think the comparison is meaningless.  I weighed in on this very early in this thread.  From everything I've read, JJ had an experience in college that Jones could have only dreamed about.  I don't think Jones ever had a big time game at Duke that resembled in any way the level of experience JJ went through and that's not even taking into account Harbaugh getting suspended for the stretch run.  I know nothing about JJs strength as a QB but there must be something there.  I knew nothing Jones prior to his being drafted but it wasn't that hard to come to the conclusion that Jones was way overdrafted at 6.  And this is coming from someone who has not been convinced that Jones can't succeed if he finally gets an adequate OL (which he has never had) and a big time WR (which he has never had). 

Quote from: Brooklyn Dave on February 07, 2024, 11:28:04 AMIt will be a very  sad day if Barkley leaves for another team. There are many intangibles that he brings to the team that cannot be valued strictly in monetary terms.

While that's true, thinking like that probably contributes to the position the team is in right now.  I want the decision maker here to be ruthless in viewing value in monetary terms.  Paying more than value is not a recipe for a good team.  The mistake with Barkley, aside from Gettleman's moronic decision, was not unloading Barkley when he would have brought something back.  Thank you John Mara, the other moron we still have around.

Supposedly, Brunson walked out of the arena last night walking without a limp and without a crutch or a walking boot. 

Quote from: MightyGiants on February 06, 2024, 09:42:14 AMA point I saw on Twitter.  Cowden used to work in the Titan' front office until 2022 and now works for the Giants.  That gave the Giants some insights into their new DC and should give Schoen a headstart on the types of players Bowen likes.

I think you could have carried your point to a different and maybe better conclusion.  Having Cowden on staff and hiring Bowen gives me alot more confidence than what a beat writer on a podcast or a random fan.

Also, this continued harping on the bend dont break defense really overlooks what good teans are trying to accomplish which is winning the game.  In todays passing NFL, holding a team to a FG is considered a win by a defense.  Its one of the reasons, why Belichick is still considered a defensive guru around the league.

I have 2 thoughts about Wink not getting a job. First, I wonder if teams have figured out his defenses especially teams that have played him multiple times in a year or over the years.  Maybe his defenses are successful in large part because teams are not familiar with how to attack him or he had pretty good talent to begin with, I.e. the Ravens.

Second, maybe teams would rather pay much less to the new guy as opposed to $3 million (? ) to Wink with the hope he can do magic.  It occurs to me that the really experienced HCs who were not hired might or the high paid coordinators may be pricing themselves out of jobs.  The exception would be San Diego and Harbaugh where previously cheap owners decided to splurge

Quote from: MightyGiants on February 04, 2024, 05:18:44 PMFair point, the Broncos are in a better position to develop a drafted QB.

Completely disagree with that statement.  Why do you say they're in a better position?

Let me ask a real stupid question here from a non fan of the college game.  I have not read about Michigan WRs talked about as being especially good.  If true, and JJ is just a game manager, how is it that none of the quality opponents, Ohio St, Alabama, Washington etc couldnt stop the run- put 8-9 guys on the line of scrimmage and make JJ beat them with his arm.  To my knowledge, it never happened.

Quote from: DaveBrown74 on February 02, 2024, 09:20:25 PMI agree that JJ had a considerably more impressive college career than DJ, but I would struggle to use a first round pick on a QB who in college was gameplanned around and not really used in a feature way in big games. Obviously Michigan's plan worked, as they were the best team in the country, and I'm not saying McCarthy had nothing to do with that because he did, but I would still be very leery about drafting him anywhere near the very top of the draft.

When I hear phrases like "he did everything the coaches asked of him" and "he can make all the throws", that's when I'm reminded of DJ.

Not to beat a dead horse here but I dont get these reminders of Jones in any way.  Everything the coach asked him to do means very little here.  Harbaugh asked JJ to win and he did; #1 in the country. What has Jones done in his entire career that's comparable?  Second, and you and I are over the top Giants fans, when did we ever think that Jones can make all the throws?  In our dreams, maybe. I have no idea if JJ is anything special but he is sure way more special than Jones. 

I watch very little college football so I bring nothing to the table based on direct observation.  But, let me offer the following.  We had a moron for a GM who made a stupendous mistake drafting Jones at 6 and that was obvious to alot of people from day 1.  Whatever opinion one has of Schoen, he is way sharper than that moron and hard for me to believe people would equate the decision process if we took JJ early.  Also, Jones had  zero big time games on college.  JJ not only had many, he excelled when needed at the highest levels .There is no comparison between the two guys

I don't know how many here are old enough to remember the Knicks of the 90s but there are some interesting parallels between the teams.  When the Garden is rocking, there is no place like it and when the Knicks are relevant, NY is electric again.  It's been so many years wasted with pretty much no reason to watch this team that it feels wonderful to have a reason to check in on them.  My only concern now is that I don't see how they can keep up this effort until the playoffs and through the playoffs.  I'd much rather they hit this stride in April.  But, as a long suffering fan, winning like this is magical. 

Quote from: TDToomer on February 01, 2024, 01:33:02 PMI'm not. The more ridiculous stuff one posts, the more replies you get. This board loves to take the bait and falls so easily to boarderline troll-ish posts.

I agree with you, just take out the word boarderline.