Swiss Cheese D

The last month before the playoffs is usually pretty boring. The Knicks basically locked in a top 3 spot for worst record in the league, so that 14% chance at Zion seems to be what they're facing. Only time will tell if they can win the golden ticket. In the meantime, I answered some questions from my lovely Twitter followers! https://twitter.com/Aphilpott_22/status/1105240039624245249 Robinson is such a raw talent that it's tough to say what his ceiling is, but it is clear that he is going to get paid due to his ceiling on the defensive end. On offense, expect a high efficiency low usage player. Similar to his mentor, DeAndre Jordan, Robinson rolls to the rim looking for lobs on basically every play. He is going to need to bulk up and set better screens, unfortunately I have seen Amar'e Stoudemire inspired screens thus far; the half-assed screens where he shies away with contact. Experience and the weight room will help with his screen setting. The reason why he is able to...

“People want something that’s going to be sustainable. That to me is what’s important. And patience, if you’re going to build something the right way that’s going to be sustainable long term, you can’t cut corners.” - Scott Perry 10/6/17 "Jim has given us the room to be patient, which is not something that's been common in this organization. Patient hasn't been one of our biggest attributes here. He's given us the room to be patient to develop players, develop a culture within the organization. All we can ask is for fans to look at the plan we laid out last year and we are going to be consistent with [it]. Judge us on that." Steve Mills 4/13/18 It is clear that the Knicks are incapable of patience evident by their lack of sticking to a rebuilding plan. The idea of building a "culture" is simply an illusion for any new coach or GM. The Knicks culture has been established the day James Dolan took over as chairman of Madison Square Garden back in 1999: a ...

The Knicks are facing a very interesting time in their franchise. Management has catered toward a youth movement. We are seeing deep rotations and many hard fought, but inevitable, losses. A big narrative within the Knicks Twitter community is, "Tank for Zion!" The Knicks are doing the right thing this time around. They're focusing on giving their younger players some much needed experience, while piling on losses at the same time. This is what a tank is supposed to look like. There have also been some rumors involving the Knicks trying to use Kanter's contract as a salary dump to score some draft picks. I can't think of many teams that would want to do that, but worst case scenario, the Knicks will keep Kanter's expiring deal which will help the Knicks gain some much needed cap room. Another major question this upcoming trade deadline is where Tim Hardaway Jr. will end up. He still has two more years on his 4-year, $71 million deal. Even with Kanter's con...

Check out my Eastern Conference Rankings if you missed it. Lottery bound 15 - Sacramento Kings The Kings are slowly getting some young assets to build a fun team with guys like Marvin Bagley, Buddy Hield, Willie Cauley-Stein and DeAaron Fox. Also add in a guy like Zach Randolph, and there should be some entertaining games. This conference is too loaded for a team with some prospects to gain any relevance. 14 - Phoenix Suns Similar situation to the Kings, but the prospects are simply better. Many people are projecting Devin Booker to make an all-star leap, and DeAndre Ayton will battle Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Luka Doncic for rookie of the year. I actually wanted Bridges to be drafted by the Knicks (I love Knox, but didn't know I did at the time). Bridges is going to be a 3-and-D guy throughout his career, and who's to say he can't be that guy his rookie season? Ariza should add some veteran leadership as well, but again, the West is simply too good for this team to...

Check out my Western Conference Rankings if you missed it.  Lottery Bound 15 - Atlanta Hawks The Hawks could have drafted Luka Doncic, but instead traded down for Trae Young. Young might prove to be a good NBA player with his limitless range and great passing, but Doncic seems to be on another level; only time will tell. Regardless of how Young performs, this team is lottery bound and will be fighting for a number one draft pick. Lottery bound, whether intentional or not 14 - New York Knicks The Knicks had one of their best drafts in a while, and a "culture change" (whatever that means) after hiring Fizdale as their head coach. Apologies to all optimistic Knicks fans out there, but a guy by the name of Kristaps Porzingis tore his ACL. This Knicks team will be led by Enes Kanter and Tim Hardaway Jr. God help us. Clyde, the smartest basketball mind of all-time, had this to say: “The reality is without KP, man, we’re going nowhere. Without Porzingis, he’s our future. The worst t...

With Porzingis projected to be out for a large chunk of this upcoming season, it seems that the Knicks are in for another long year. Even with great draft selections between Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson, plus a new "culture" under Coach Fizdale, there doesn't seem to be enough talent to have a competitive basketball team this season. "The reality is without KP, man, we're going nowhere," Walt Clyde Frazier told Sirius XM this week. "Without Porzingis, he's our future. The worst thing that could have happened to the Knicks did happen. This guy blew his knee out mid season. Supposedly he's coming back in January, but who knows. If the Knicks don't get him back to his former grandeur things are looking pretty bleak for them." With Porzingis out, let's see a breakout of the rest of the Knicks 2018-19 squad: It's funny to say, but on paper the Knicks most valuable players are Enes Kanter and Joakim Noah. It will be interesting to...