Posting and Toasting - All Posts~https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/29802/posting_fave.png2024-03-27T21:57:16-04:00http://www.postingandtoasting.com/rss/current/2024-03-27T21:57:16-04:002024-03-27T21:57:16-04:00Scenes from a 44-point obliteration of the Toronto Raptors.
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<p>Knicks 145, Raptors 101: Deuce McBride hits a new career-high of three-pointers, Jalen Brunson adds 26, and Mighty Mitch returns in another wire-to-wire win.</p> <p id="aREPwY">On Wednesday night, the<a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/"> New York Knicks</a> (44-28) faced off against a depleted <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com">Toronto Raptors</a> (23-50) squad at the Scotiabank Arena. These aren’t the Kawhi Leonard-led, champion Raptors of a few years ago. Tonight the Canadians played without Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Jakob Poeltl, and the game looked more like a practice scrimmage than an NBA contest.</p>
<p id="0cgBG0">In the first half, Mitchell Robinson made a mighty return, contributing defensively and offensively, while Miles McBride led the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a> with a searing shooting performance, scoring 20 points. By intermission, New York had scored 80 points, their highest first-half total of the season. Overall, the Knicks would hit 22-of-44 from downtown, the second-most in franchise history (24 on 10/22/21). Their lead would reach 44 points—their biggest of the season—in the second half as they breezed to a 145-101 win.</p>
<p id="MHqvMZ">Cleveland lost to the Charlotte Hornets, so tonight’s win gives New York sole possession of third place in the East. Huzzah! New York has logged 13 wire-to-wire victories this season, the most in the NBA. McBride led all scorers with 29 points, seven assists, and a new career-best of nine three-pointers. He had a plus-minus of +40 (!). Jalen Brunson added 26 points and seven assists. From the bench, Bojan Bogdanovic contributed 18 bench points and Precious Achiuwa flexed with 19 points and 13 boards (seven offensive). </p>
<p id="YQnU5m">As for New York’s centers, Isaiah Hartenstein collected 15 points, four boards, and two stocks in 19 minutes; Robinson logged eight points, two boards, and two blocks in his 12 minutes. Is there a better center tandem in the league? Nyet!</p>
<h2 id="ujTiiF"><strong>First Half</strong></h2>
<p id="jES8GM">Holy smokes! Deuce McBride was Johnny Flame from downtown, hitting 6-of-8 in the first period. With little resistance, New York jumped out to a 17-point lead. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> ️DEUCEEE <br><br>3/3 from deep <a href="https://t.co/QtL9RZvYbn">pic.twitter.com/QtL9RZvYbn</a></p>— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1773134956211953740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="lyBi0u">At the five-minute mark, Mitchell Robinson checked in for Isaiah Hartenstein. In his first game since December 8, Mitch showed no signs of favoring his surgically repaired ankle through the first quarter. He blocked one shot, grabbed an offensive rebound, and scored two easy buckets at the rim. The Blockness Monster is back, folks!</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mitch is BACK! <a href="https://t.co/jzcbzKrN1E">pic.twitter.com/jzcbzKrN1E</a></p>— Knicks Fan TV (@KnicksFanTv) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnicksFanTv/status/1773138893258285208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="rSc13Z">The Knicks poured on the points to win the first quarter 45-33. In the second, a pair of Toronto triples brought them within 10 points, before an 11-0 run gave New York 60 points and a 21-point lead with 7:30 left in the half. By intermission, they had run up the score to 80-59. That’s the most they’ve scored in a first half this season, beating their previous best of 75 (Jan. 5 in Philly).</p>
<p id="BdiUF2">Seriously folks, Hartenstein and Robinson give the Knicks the league’s best 1-2 punch at the center position. My goodness, here’s more Mitch goodness. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Knicks, who have posted the best Defensive Rating in the NBA in March, just added a backup big who was a legit DPOY candidate in December - who they can casually bring off the bench lol <a href="https://t.co/TtlpBcR7Og">pic.twitter.com/TtlpBcR7Og</a></p>— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) <a href="https://twitter.com/TommyBeer/status/1773141980173775092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="UE1lky">In the first half, the visitors had outshot the home team 61% to 54% from the floor. Both teams had hit 50% of their longballs: Knicks 12, Raptors eight. The ‘Bockers had outrebounded the Raps, 23-10, and had swatted five blocks. </p>
<p id="2ZbACT">McBride led all scorers with 20 first-half points on 7-of-12 shooting, and Jalen Brunson was close behind with 17. For Toronto, rookie Gradey Dick led the way with 15 points and no rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers, or fouls in 17 minutes. What a statline!</p>
<h2 id="BtQMaG"><strong>Second Half</strong></h2>
<p id="fdBpNx">Neither team offered much defense to start the second half. There was more Dick action on Toronto’s end as the rookie set a new career-high, while Deuce converted his seventh triple, a new career-best. Impossibly, the Knicks had 90 points before they’d crossed the median of the third frame.</p>
<p id="uB5mRJ">Not to be overlooked, Jalen Brunson kept rolling. He swishes a casual trey in the following clip. A few minutes later, Brunson would draw his 29th charge of the season, second-most in the NBA. New York was up by 24 points, but he still stepped in front of a freight train to draw the offensive foul. Toughest point guard in the NBA.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">the man can score from anywhere <a href="https://t.co/y6h85O2tFG">pic.twitter.com/y6h85O2tFG</a></p>— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks/status/1773154500909396294?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<p id="Tp3Mh5">New York entered the final frame with a 111-80 lead. Shake Milton checked in early. The Raptors scored six unanswered points and were still behind by 30. Even with that lopsided score, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau called a timeout to chastise his team for a few lackluster defensive sequences. Knicks basketball—there’s nothing like it.</p>
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<p lang="tl" dir="ltr">PRECIOUS ACHIUWA POSTER <a href="https://t.co/pDiUHw1QSN">pic.twitter.com/pDiUHw1QSN</a></p>— Knicks Highlights (@KnicksClipss) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnicksClipss/status/1773164303220166769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a>
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<h2 id="Z9iL34"><strong>Up Next</strong></h2>
<p id="cF0sJE">On to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Friday. Safe travels, Knickerbockers.</p>
<p id="1eV8hw"><a href="https://www.nba.com/game/nyk-vs-tor-0022301053/box-score">Box Score</a></p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24114155/scenes-from-a-44-point-obliteration-of-the-toronto-raptorsRussell Richardson2024-03-27T19:00:00-04:002024-03-27T19:00:00-04:00Game Thread: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors, March 27, 2024
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<figcaption>Photo by Elsa/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Knicks seek to beat the reeling Raptors and complete the season sweep.</p> <p id="aREPwY">On Wednesday night, the<a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/"><strong> New York Knicks</strong></a> (43-28) travel to the frosty north country to face the Toronto Raptors (23-49). The Knicks won their three previous matchups and are looking for the sweep. The Raptors have lost 11 straight. The big news tonight, of course, is the report that Mitchell Robinson will be active.</p>
<p id="HvKiib">He’s baaack! Crack open that broom closet! Tip-off is 7:30 p.m. EST on MSG. This is your game thread. This is <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/">RaptorsHQ</a>. Please don’t post large photos, GIFs, or links to illegal streams in the thread. Be cool. And go Knicks!</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24112569/game-thread-new-york-knicks-at-toronto-raptors-march-27-2024Russell Richardson2024-03-27T16:30:38-04:002024-03-27T16:30:38-04:00Game Preview: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors March 27, 2024
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Knicks looks to make it three in a row against a struggling Raptors team in the midst of an 11-game losing streak</p> <p id="fMdgCo">After a dominating win against the <a href="https://www.detroitbadboys.com">Detroit Pistons</a>, the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">New York Knicks</a> (43-28) travel up north to take on the 23-49 <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com">Toronto Raptors</a> at the Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. And the big news of the day: <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24113718/mitchell-robinson-set-to-return-to-action-tonight">Mitchell Robinson is expected to be back in action for our heroes</a>.</p>
<p id="2ISJKk">The Raptors have been on almost the exact opposite trajectory as the Knicks. Toronto hasn’t seen former Knicks Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett play in a game together since March 7, and have been without Scottie Barnes since March 1. Unsurprisingly, they have lost 11 consecutive games. Meanwhile, the Knicks followed up a tough but successful 3-1 west coast road trip with a pair of wins against the Nets and the Pistons, and are now 7-3 in their last 10 games. A win tonight would extend their current win-streak to three, complete a <a href="https://www.landofbasketball.com/head_to_head_gl/knicks_vs_raptors_game_log_season.htm">season series sweep</a> against Toronto, and keep them in the hunt for the third seed in the Eastern Conference. </p>
<p id="KaXPXp">With the aforementioned Quickley and Barrett missing a significant amount of time recently, the Raptors have struggled offensively, <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?Month=6&dir=D&sort=OFF_RATING">ranking dead last in the league in offensive rating in March</a>, and their defense hasn’t been much better—<a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?Month=6&dir=D&sort=DEF_RATING">25th in the league in defensive rating</a>. All in all, this should be an easy game for the Knicks, who are <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/advanced?Month=6&dir=A&sort=NET_RATING">fourth in the league in net rating in March</a>. </p>
<h2 id="9QHloa"><strong>Prediction</strong></h2>
<p id="H5SrA7">ESPN.com favors the Knicks to win by 83%. This has all the makings of another easy and dominating win. The Knicks have been playing well as of late and will only be stronger with Robinson back on the court. Meanwhile, the same cannot be said for the Raptors, who will continue to be without Quickley and Barrett. </p>
<p id="UBR25t">New York has played down to competition at times, allowing lesser teams to stay in games, but they have been among the league’s best against teams under .500 this season, and there’s no reason to believe that tonight will be any different. Expect the Knicks, who are <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/traditional?dir=A&sort=REB">fourth in the league in rebounds per game</a>, to have a large advantage there against a Raptors team that has given up the <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/teams/opponent?Month=6&dir=D&sort=OPP_REB">most rebounds per game this month</a>, and ride it to a 110-95 victory. </p>
<h2 id="wBvbNH"><strong>Game Details</strong></h2>
<p id="vfSHsr">Who: New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors</p>
<p id="0mCF9I">When: 7:30 pm EST, Wednesday, March 27, 2024</p>
<p id="2bkZos">Where: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON</p>
<p id="bA2QVd">Watch: MSG</p>
<p id="VdNoSU">Follow: <a href="https://twitter.com/ptknicksblog"><strong>@ptknicksblog</strong></a></p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24113915/game-preview-new-york-knicks-at-toronto-raptors-march-27-2024Kento Kato2024-03-27T14:58:49-04:002024-03-27T14:58:49-04:00Mitchell Robinson set to return to action tonight
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<figcaption>Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Finally, some good news from Woj.</p> <p id="uZGbi0">Ladies and gentlemen, the wait is over.</p>
<p id="s35XsY">After missing 50 games of action, Mitchell Robinson will return to the floor tonight for the New York Knicks. Robinson was upgraded to questionable earlier this morning, and is now expected to be available to play tonight, per Woj.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mitchell Robinson is expected to be active and available to play for the Knicks tonight, sources tell ESPN. <a href="https://t.co/268caiNp9p">https://t.co/268caiNp9p</a></p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1773030853028852159?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2024</a>
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<p id="y3PCCC">If you recall, Robinson was in the midst of perhaps his best professional season yet when he went down with an ankle injury. Through 21 games, Robinson was averaging career highs in minutes and rebounds, keeping his fouls way down, and had blossomed into one of (if not the) best offensive rebounders in the entire league. </p>
<p id="EgWA7Z">Despite only averaging 6.2 points per game, Robinson was offering elite rim protection and rebounding. He averaged 10.3 rebounds per game, and paired that with strong defensive production, totaling 1.3 blocks and 1.5 steals per outing as well. His offensive game had slipped a bit, but was on pace to be the second player to average at least 5.3 offensive boards per game this century, with only Andre Drummond as company.</p>
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<p id="HmGQ4I">In the midst of Robinson’s injury, Isaiah Hartenstein slid into the starting lineup for the first time in his NBA career. I-Hart flourished in a starting role, posting 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. It remains to be seen who Coach Thibs keeps in the starting lineup, but the two now will combine for an elite 48-minute punch at the center spot in the New York rotation.</p>
<p id="QhKTRy">Now in his sixth NBA season, Robinson has only appeared in more than 70 games once in his NBA career, and his durability remains a serious question. With that said, as the Knicks prepare for a playoff push, a healthy Robinson is imperative for a New York team looking to make a run. A few games to tune up should go a long way for Mitch, and the fan favorite looks to be back in form as we approach the postseason.</p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24113718/mitchell-robinson-set-to-return-to-action-tonightSam Stein2024-03-27T13:17:25-04:002024-03-27T13:17:25-04:00Donte DiVincenzo is what we dreamed Evan Fournier was going to be
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<figcaption>Photo by David L. Nemec /NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Gunslinging Italofrenchmen.</em></p> <p id="zrm7jb">Heading into the 2021 offseason, the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a>, who had just made the playoffs for the first time in eight years, were looking to make a splash to help them take the next step. And that splash came in the form of Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, Nerlens Noel, Alex Burks, and Taj Gibson. None of them were the kind of needle-moving stars to catapult a team to the finals but at the time, they looked like solid additions to what was an exciting, young, up-and-coming roster that included first-time All-Star, Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Obi Toppin. </p>
<p id="EVBKH3">Looking back though, it’s evident just how disastrous and unsuccessful that offseason was and unfortunately for Fournier, he is the odd one out that sticks out like a sore thumb given his contract, the length of his stay, and just how publicly weird it got between him and the team at times. And while everyone had moved on since he was traded to Detroit, Monday night’s game against the Pistons put Knicks fans in a funny yet odd place where they saw the former Knick defending, better than ever at times, the man who is doing what he was brought in to do. And it got me thinking about why Fournier did not work with the Knicks and why DiVincenzo is thriving. Obviously, DiVincenzo, especially the way he is playing now, is better than Fournier was and is. But I think people sometimes forget the nuances when comparing players. </p>
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<p id="oNOUBO">We obviously can’t have a discussion comparing the two shooting guards without bringing up defense, something that was always a talking point with Fournier. Now, Fournier, to his credit, tried for the most part. It wasn’t like he was incredibly lazy or lacked effort. He simply just wasn’t physically capable of being a good defender, and he never really was. But at least when he was younger, he had just enough quickness to be a playable defender. He was almost always a below-average defender but not a complete liability to the team. And the tape from his Orlando Magic days suggested that he’d be the same in New York. The Magic, much like the Knicks do with Robinson, often funneled teams into Aaron Gordon and Nikola Vucevic in the paint, so there was initial belief that Thibodeau could come up with a way to turn Fournier into a serviceable defender. </p>
<p id="4QUac0">But boy were we wrong. It was evident early on that Fournier had become a turnstile on defense and it put way too much pressure on the rest of the team to cover for him. Unfortunately for Fournier, his defensive woes were magnified playing next to Walker and Jalen Brunson, two undersized below-average defenders. </p>
<p id="3UZXAc">DiVincenzo, on the other hand, is a solid on-ball defender and an even better off-ball wing defender. It can be argued that DiVincenzo is a bit small for a shooting guard in today’s game but he can use his quickness to stick with guys and uses his anticipation to play the passing lanes as well as anybody on the roster not named OG Anunoby. That alone, given their relatively similar shooting abilities, would give the edge to DiVincenzo. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Boy does DiVincenzo have great awareness... reads the pass that leads to an easy bucket <a href="https://t.co/ciMbzO1enX">pic.twitter.com/ciMbzO1enX</a></p>— Knicks Nation (@KnicksNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnicksNation/status/1726797235374146040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2023</a>
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<p id="y43R8p">But the differences came on offense as well. Both are known primarily as shooters but the DiVincenzo we’ve had this season has been on a different level. Fournier, despite being a very good shooter, still wasn’t as deadly as DiVincenzo has been this season. During his three-year tenure as a Knick, Fournier <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=evan+fournier+stats&rlz=1C1MSIM_enUS928US928&oq=evan+fournier+stats&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyEQgAEEUYORhDGLEDGIAEGIoFMgoIARAuGLEDGIAEMgcIAhAAGIAEMgcIAxAAGIAEMgcIBBAAGIAEMgcIBRAAGIAEMgcIBhAAGIAEMgcIBxAAGIAEMgcICBAAGIAE0gEIMjg4M2owajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">averaged</a> 3.5 three-point makes on 9.4 attempts per 36 minutes which is good for a solid 37.2%. Those are all solid marks but DiVincenzo has him beat as he’s <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/divindo01.html">averaging</a> 4.4 three-point makes on 11 attempts, which is good for 40%. </p>
<p id="JZxaKw">Another major difference is how they play when their shots aren’t falling. Fournier, like DiVincenzo, and really any other shooter ever, had his off days. What often separates shooters though is what they can and can’t do when they aren’t making shots. Simply put, are they just shooters or are they basketball players? And with Fournier, he was much closer to the former while DiVincenzo is the latter. Fournier did have the occasional cuts and floaters, but when he wasn’t hitting shots, he rarely contributed much offensively, and that was while he was a clear negative on defense. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Donte DiVincenzo's cutting was on full display last night.<br><br>Here are some of my favorite, starting with this BEAUTY of a pass from Isaiah Hartenstein. <a href="https://t.co/FCbbHddr92">pic.twitter.com/FCbbHddr92</a></p>— zach (@_zachblatter) <a href="https://twitter.com/_zachblatter/status/1718280563189072182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2023</a>
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<p id="ZpWTYX">With DiVincenzo, even when his shot is off, he finds ways to contribute more often than not. Not only is he a solid defender as mentioned earlier, he is much better and much more consistent cutter and finisher. In his first season as a Knick, we’ve seen DiVincenzo find seams in the defense when they blitz Randle or Brunson and utilize a wide array of floaters and layups, something we rarely saw Fournier do. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"Nice no look pass to the Big Ragu" -Gus with the call on the Jalen Brunson's chemistry with Donte DiVincenzo<a href="https://twitter.com/nyknicks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyknicks</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/gusjohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gusjohnson</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/wallyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wallyball</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mui0JZ1S0S">pic.twitter.com/Mui0JZ1S0S</a></p>— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) <a href="https://twitter.com/KnicksMSGN/status/1724956870396322156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 16, 2023</a>
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<p id="OMNrks">DiVincenzo is also better with the ball in his hands. While his sample size as a ball handler isn’t big, there have been a few games where both Brunson and Randle are out and he’s shown what he’s capable of with a larger role and responsibility. And that includes not just scoring but playmaking. In his three seasons as a Knick, Fournier <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=evan+fournier+stats&rlz=1C1MSIM_enUS928US928&oq=evan+fournier+stats&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyEQgAEEUYORhDGLEDGIAEGIoFMgoIARAuGLEDGIAEMgcIAhAAGIAEMgcIAxAAGIAEMgcIBBAAGIAEMgcIBRAAGIAEMgcIBhAAGIAEMgcIBxAAGIAEMgcICBAAGIAE0gEIMjg4M2owajeoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">averaged</a> 2.6 assists per 36 minutes while DiVincenzo is <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/divindo01.html">averaging</a> 3.5 assists per 36 minutes. </p>
<p id="FVnqWG">Last but not least, there’s the simple aspect of fit. Not just basketball-wise but also personality and character-wise. And this isn’t a knock on Fournier. He was a professional throughout his entire time in New York, and I’ve yet to ever hear anything negative about Fournier as a person, or teammate. But sometimes you just don’t fully gel. I’m sure he tried his hardest to fit on and off the court and I’m sure his teammates did too. But it’s so evident that DiVincenzo fits much better in both regards. And it also helps that he’s playing with his close friends and college teammates, Brunson and Hart. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Divincenzo on the Knicks unselfish play<br><br>"If Jalen passed the ball more, I probably would've had 15 of them tonight.'' <a href="https://t.co/4uFLos506V">pic.twitter.com/4uFLos506V</a></p>— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) <a href="https://twitter.com/BigKnickEnergy_/status/1772442922606113034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="qPd46z">This again, isn’t to discredit Fournier, or to blame him for his time in New York. I’m sure he wanted more than anything to make it work here. But on a night when DiVincenzo broke a record Fournier once held, I just couldn't help but think about how similar yet different these two are. And it ultimately served as a reminder of just how fragile and difficult building a truly special team that bonds on and off the court can be. </p>
<p id="s2ct9f">Fournier’s first season wasn’t that far off from DiVincenzo’s in terms of stats but it’s clear, and becoming more and more clear by the game, that DiVincenzo is not only the better player but also a better fit with strengths that much better complement this teams’ weaknesses. </p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24113579/donte-divincenzo-is-what-we-dreamed-evan-fournier-was-going-to-beKento Kato2024-03-27T08:00:00-04:002024-03-27T08:00:00-04:00Rokas Jokubaitis to play in Summer League looking for NBA team
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<p><em>The Knicks’ draft-and-stash point guard could join New York, another franchise, or return to Europe.</em></p> <p id="rBDWVQ">Lithuania international point guard Rokus Jokubaitis, who was drafted by the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a> with the 34th-overall pick of the 2021 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft">NBA Draft</a>, is planning to play in the upcoming Summer League according to Alessandro Luigi Maggi of <a href="https://twitter.com/AlessandroMagg4/status/1772735442342793504"><em>Sportando</em></a>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rokas Jokubaitis is expected to leave Barcelona at the end of the season. The player will play in the Summer League to pursue the NBA dream. Should he stay in Europe, Zalgiris Kaunas is favourite to sign the Lithuanian point guard <a href="https://t.co/UiDQcJZCwi">pic.twitter.com/UiDQcJZCwi</a></p>— Alessandro Luigi Maggi (@AlessandroMagg4) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlessandroMagg4/status/1772735442342793504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2024</a>
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<p id="vM3fQp">Jokubaitis, still a young 23-year-old hooper, has spent the past few seasons playing for Spanish club <a href="https://www.barcablaugranes.com">FC Barcelona</a> in the country’s national league and the world-renowned EuroLeague. In that time, Joku has also become one of the most prominent players for his country.</p>
<p id="wBcJn9">None of that, however, has seemingly convinced the Knicks to offer him the chance to cross the pond nor the player to get comfortable with signing a low-key deal with the New York franchise.</p>
<p id="LFy7m8">Rokas signed a four-year contract with Barcelona back in 2021 with exit options baked into it so he could leave for the NBA without any problem in case the Knicks came calling. The Knicks, of course, never did.</p>
<p id="J92nMn">The same Maggi reported that in case Jokubaitis cannot find a home in the United States next summer by joining the Knicks or signing with another franchise, then he will most probably return to Europe to sign with Zalgiris Kaunas of his native country.</p>
<p id="rmepbo">This season, Joku has appeared in 28 EuroLeague games for Barcelona starting two of them and averaging 5.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 0.3 steals per game. He’s logging nearly 17 minutes per game while shooting 50% inside the arc, 30.8% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the charity stripe. </p>
<p id="MhWmQW">Last year, Rokas appeared in all 39 EuroLeague games averaging 5.3 PPG, 2.0 RPG, and 2.6 APG. He followed that with a run in the 2023 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/fiba-world-cup">FIBA World Cup</a> with Lithuania that ended in the quarter-finals.</p>
<p id="DXIMo8">In the summer tourney, Jokubaites played eight games averaging 12.6 PPG, 5.8 APG, 2.3 RPG, and 1.3 stocks a pop. He shot 49/55/82 from two, three, and the free-throw line, and he finished the tournament with an average plus/minus of 2.9.</p>
<p id="LrepEe">The Knicks still hold Jokubaitis’ rights and will see all of OG Anunoby, Alec Burks, Isaiah Hartenstein, Precious Achiuwa, Shake Milton, DaQuan Jeffries, Mamadi Diakite, and Charlie Brown Jr. enter July as either restricted or unrestricted free agents, potential creating plenty of cap room where Rokas could fit. We’ll have to wait and see.</p>
https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/27/24113339/rokas-jokubaitis-to-play-in-summer-league-looking-for-nba-teamAntonio Losada2024-03-26T16:00:00-04:002024-03-26T16:00:00-04:00Threeeeeee Point Goal
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<img alt="Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UzUw25KxssXnVsGQXjGGiit0iwE=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73234701/2105338683.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by David L. Nemec /NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Poll: Where does Donte DiVincenzo rank as the greatest three point shooter in Knicks history?</p> <p id="4sKzUf">Donte DiVincenzo’s record-setting performance last night of 11 made three point field goals, were the most threes in a single game by any Knicks in <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a> history. This record setting performance by DDV last night makes for a good time to ask fans where DDV now ranks on the list amongst the greatest three-point shooters in franchise history. His record-setting performance surpassed the previous Knicks record of 10 shared by JR Smith and Evan Fournier. </p>
<p id="INnrAP">DiVincenzo’s first season with the Knicks started off to a rather slow start, but ever since he set a new career high of 38 points back in December, DDV has been playing at a new career level and output ever since. Once DDV got himself into his groove, it’s been bombs away. Not only did DDV break the Knicks single-game three-point record last night, he also surpassed his previous career high for points in a game, which now stands at 40. Even more remarkable is that DDV now also finds himself just 8 three pointers shy from eclipsing the Knicks’ current all-time single-season record of 241 set by Evan Fournier two season ago during the 2021-22 season. At DDV’s current pace of 3.3 made threes per game this season, he appears poised to break the Knicks’ all-time single-season three-point record this week.</p>
<p id="fByLT8">John Starks currently holds the Knicks all-time record for most three-pointers in team with a total of 982 made threes, a mark he set back in 1998. However, even during Starks’ most prolific season, one in which he established a new Knicks record in 1994-95 for the most threes by a Knick in a single season, he did so at a pace of 2.7 threes per game. Starks’ career total of 982 three-pointers was amassed at a rate of 1.08 threes per game over the course of eight seasons, about a third of the pace that DDV is hitting from beyond the arc.</p>
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<img alt="1994 NBA Eastern Conference Semi-Finals - Game 5: Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VGXeHhIhnKUCG_qT-GtYm51amBs=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25356335/71484748.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="EYQAjc">Undoubtedly, the game has undergone a significant transformation since Starks’s heyday as the Knicks’ sharpshooter. In the mid-90s, Starks ranked among the league’s elite three point shooters, perhaps even the second best behind just Reggie Miller. If DiVincenzo maintains his current shooting prowess, he could potentially secure the new Knicks franchise record in just 2-3 seasons—a feat accomplished in half the time that it took for Starks to achieve.</p>
<p id="hstMiB">Allan Houston currently sits second on the list for the most three-pointers made in Knicks history. Houston amassed a career total of 921 threes during his nine-season tenure with the team, spanning from 1996 to 2005. Notably, he only averaged more than 2 three-pointers per game once, during the 2002-03 season. His 921 threes were accumulated over 602 games, averaging out to 1.5 threes per game—a rate that is half of DiVincenzo’s current rate of threes per game.</p>
<p id="mEX2oA">In 2022, Evan Fournier established the current Knicks record for the most three-pointers in a single season. Throughout 80 games, Fournier’s tally of 241 threes amounted to an impressive average of 3 per game. However, this record now faces imminent jeopardy of being surpassed, potentially as soon as this week, during one of the Knicks’ upcoming games. Whether it occurs in their next matchup against Toronto, should he have another standout performance, or in the subsequent game versus San Antonio, provided he maintains his season-average performance, remains to be seen.</p>
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<p id="FKIz2A">Among the pantheon of great shooters in Knicks history, Donte DiVincenzo’s current standing as one of the franchise’s greatest three-point shooters is notable. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the illustrious company he finds himself in. </p>
<p id="e7eoRR">Hubert Davis’ contributions to three-point shooting cannot be overstated. Holding the NBA’s all-time three-point field goal percentage record with a minimum of 1,600 threes taken is a remarkable achievement. His impressive rate of 44.1% surpasses even Stephen Curry, who currently sits in fourth place with a percentage of 43.2%.</p>
<p id="Co423W">Furthermore, Davis’s impact extends to the Knicks’ record books, where he holds the single-season record for three-point shooting percentage at an outstanding rate of 47.6%, achieved during the 1995-96 season. </p>
<p id="slnP2R">Carmelo Anthony and Julius Randle can’t go unmentioned in this article as well. Anthony, known for his scoring prowess, established himself as one of the franchise’s top shooters, occupying third place in total threes made. His ability to stretch the floor and score from beyond the arc added a crucial dimension to the Knicks’ offense during his time with the team.</p>
<p id="cYD0Wz">Similarly, Julius Randle has made a significant impact on the Knicks’ three-point shooting landscape. As a versatile forward, Randle has climbed the ranks to fourth place in total threes made in Knicks history. </p>
<p id="xqsbuK">Last, but not least, JR Smith’s time with the Knicks cannot be overlooked. Up until last night, he and Fournier shared the Knicks’ record for most threes in a single game.</p>
<p id="72Ufpo">With not even a full season as a New York Knick under his belt, DDV has earned the nod to not just be mentioned amongst these All-Time Knicks greats, but he may have already surpassed them all in just his first campaign with the team as the teams greatest three-point shooter of all-time. </p>
<p id="FKMI7h">So, what do you think? Among all of the great three-point shooters in Knicks history, where does DDV currently rank right now as the greatest three-point shooter in Knicks history?</p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/26/24112628/threeeeeee-point-goalAndrew Polaniecki2024-03-26T15:00:00-04:002024-03-26T15:00:00-04:00Knicks Media Roundup: Hollinger on Knicks and Nets, Newsday praises Deuce, and The Guardian calls Knicks ‘contenders’
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<figcaption>Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>All good news.</p> <p id="K6sYVS">Last Saturday, the <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com">Knicks</a> gave the <a href="https://www.netsdaily.com">Brooklyn Nets</a> the business end of the beatdown stick. That must have inspired John Hollinger to wonder in <em>The Athletic</em> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F5366599%2F2024%2F03%2F25%2Fnets-knicks-nba-standings-g-league-ignite-shutdown&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.postingandtoasting.com%2F2024%2F3%2F26%2F24112469%2Fknicks-roundup-hollinger-compares-knicks-nets-newsday-praises-deuce-guardian-calls-knicks-contenders" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">if the Knicks and the Nets have swapped destinies</a>. ($) </p>
<p id="1gXosk">Per Hollinger, the Nets’ initially successful rebuild took a downturn after acquiring Durant and Irving and subsequent dramas and controversies, e.g., Kyrie Irving’s weird tenure, Durant’s primadonna behavior, the James Harden saga, and Ben Simmons, full stop. The Nets are mired in mediocrity, hampered by the lack of control over their draft picks due to the Harden trade and a roster without a clear elite centerpiece. Brooklyn has some hope with future draft picks from Phoenix and Dallas but faces a challenging path to contention, which feels similar to the Knicks’ past struggles. </p>
<p id="AUuEit">Meanwhile, under Leon Rose’s leadership since 2020, the Knicks have reversed their reputation for impatience by making smart moves and maintaining stability with coach Tom Thibodeau. The Knicks have boosted their success by acquiring impactful players like Jalen Brunson, Isaiah Hartenstein, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, OG Anunoby, and Precious Achiuwa and continuing to develop Deuce McBride and Jericho Sims. Hollinger writes: </p>
<blockquote><p id="j4Jv3V">Just look at these teams. Virtually every key player on the Knicks got there as the result of a plus transaction. Splashing out on <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2Fnba%2Fplayer%2Fjalen-brunson-uGz2UuQlVMHyp5KN%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.postingandtoasting.com%2F2024%2F3%2F26%2F24112469%2Fknicks-roundup-hollinger-compares-knicks-nets-newsday-praises-deuce-guardian-calls-knicks-contenders" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jalen Brunson</a> is one thing, but look up and down the roster: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2Fnba%2Fplayer%2Fjosh-hart-JL2KNArJke7GTrEU%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.postingandtoasting.com%2F2024%2F3%2F26%2F24112469%2Fknicks-roundup-hollinger-compares-knicks-nets-newsday-praises-deuce-guardian-calls-knicks-contenders" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Josh Hart</a> cost a late first, <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2Fnba%2Fplayer%2Fmitchell-robinson-w8R3xsrQqLB0GSYj%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.postingandtoasting.com%2F2024%2F3%2F26%2F24112469%2Fknicks-roundup-hollinger-compares-knicks-nets-newsday-praises-deuce-guardian-calls-knicks-contenders" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mitchell Robinson</a> and <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2Fnba%2Fplayer%2Fmiles-mcbride-oAGqFrARL1YNNWPT%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.postingandtoasting.com%2F2024%2F3%2F26%2F24112469%2Fknicks-roundup-hollinger-compares-knicks-nets-newsday-praises-deuce-guardian-calls-knicks-contenders" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Miles McBride</a> were picked with early seconds, and <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2Fnba%2Fplayer%2Fdonte-divincenzo-5yeG2wUB9RTaEEGd%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.postingandtoasting.com%2F2024%2F3%2F26%2F24112469%2Fknicks-roundup-hollinger-compares-knicks-nets-newsday-praises-deuce-guardian-calls-knicks-contenders" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donte DiVincenzo</a> and <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2Fnba%2Fplayer%2Fisaiah-hartenstein-hjMEcIELScZcAVNC%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.postingandtoasting.com%2F2024%2F3%2F26%2F24112469%2Fknicks-roundup-hollinger-compares-knicks-nets-newsday-praises-deuce-guardian-calls-knicks-contenders" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Isaiah Hartenstein</a> came as screaming bargains via the midlevel exception.</p></blockquote>
<p id="1FzkAf">Indeed, the two teams have reversed course. The Knicks are charging down a promising path, and the Nets are struggling to find their way back to relevancy. Best team in New York? The debate is closed.</p>
<p id="DhdAvS">Over at Newsday, Barbara Barker wrote about how <a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/knicks/deuce-mcbride-knicks-lk0jcw6x">Miles “Deuce” McBride has elevated from a bit player at the bottom of the rotation to a Tom Thibodeau favorite</a>. Indeed, Thibs and Leon Rose look ever more shrewd after every recent game because they had the good sense to lock McBride into a three-year contract extension worth $13 million last December. </p>
<p id="x2xPcx">After a trade in February that primarily swapped Quentin Grimes and Evan Fournier for Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic, speculation was high that Burks would assume the backup point guard position. That would slide McBride back down the bench, and the move wouldn’t have been a shock: Burks is the vet, while McBride averaged 11.9 minutes and 3.5 points per game as a sophomore last season. Although McBride’s defense has more teeth than a shark and he had shot well from beyond the arc, Deuce had yet to demonstrate the consistent offensive ability that he displayed in the G-League.</p>
<p id="sSVrZh">To his credit, the ultra-competitive McBride has learned how to handle the capriciousness of the NBA.</p>
<blockquote><p id="PhnQyP">“Yeah, it definitely had some downs. When you’re not playing and you want to do anything to help the team win, it’s tough. But you just stay true, look to the Lord and do whatever I can to keep myself ready.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="29a3Oo">Thankfully, Coach Thibodeau kept showing faith in Deuce and, since the Detroit trade, the third-year player has rewarded that confidence with undeniable effort and efficiency. Injuries to starters OG Anunoby and Julius Randle presented an opportunity for McBride to play more minutes. In short order, he worked his way up to starting games alongside Jalen Brunson, transforming himself into a key rotation player. He scored 26 points against the Nets and a career-high 29 against Golden State, and he played every minute in the tilt with the Nets. In fact, he has averaged over 40 minutes in the last four games, despite only averaging 16.7 minutes per game this season.</p>
<p id="YXU7Rf">McBride’s teammates applaud his readiness and his dedication to staying prepared even when not playing regularly. If it’s one day revealed that Deuce was once a Boy Scout, it wouldn’t be a shocker. After all, their motto is “Be Prepared,” and so Deuce has been. His dedication is evident in his commitment to practice, from shooting 500 three-pointers per day to never taking more than two days off since being drafted. </p>
<p id="xjhySi">“I was just trying to make practice harder than the games,” he said in the article. “Doing whatever I can — running, treadmill, bike and making it game-like in practice as much as I can.” </p>
<p id="Yc8Wbd">Once a West Virginia Mountaineer, McBride is looking more and more like a forever New York Knick.</p>
<p id="snxkCj">Finally, in The Guardian, Claire de Lune wrote an article titled, “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/mar/26/new-york-knicks-conteders-leon-rose-tom-thibodeau">How the Knicks went from laughing stocks to NBA finals contenders (yes, really)</a>” and marveled at how one of the NBA’s most historically underperforming yet prominent teams is playoff-bound “with a legitimate hope of reaching the finals.”</p>
<p id="umpMdU">De Lune remarks on how the New York Knicks are heading into the playoffs with renewed optimism. They have transitioned from pretenders to contenders thanks to the contributions of All-Star Jalen Brunson and the strategic leadership of general manager Leon Rose since 2020. As in Hollinger’s piece, this article acknowledges Rose’s acquisitions, including Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart, and OG Anunoby, alongside preserving draft picks, have played a key role in the team’s revival. </p>
<p id="cqjeaP">The Guardian interviewed the great Chris Herring (<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Blood-in-the-Garden/Chris-Herring/9781982132118"><em>Blood in the Garden</em></a>), who opined, “Something clearly is different [this year]. There’s a camaraderie around this team that just feels a lot different [...] When the Knicks have these win streaks, when they look like, ‘Man, they could actually accomplish something,’ the Garden just roars a little bit different.”</p>
<p id="jQSrrK">Also similar to the aforementioned <em>Athletic </em>article, much is made about how Tom Thibodeau has reinforced the Knicks’ tough, defensive identity, and laid the groundwork for team chemistry. Herring gives high praise to Thibs, adding:</p>
<blockquote><p id="fuDvtN">“They’re basically knocking on the ‘contending’ door right now, and to be at that level, to put yourself in that conversation and have it be what looks like potentially a perennial thing, is a huge step up from where they were.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="5XaRYs">As the postseason approaches, this is a refrain that we’re seeing in countless articles: the team’s talent is for real, and the current leadership seems stable and sustainable. As Micheal Ray Richardson might say, “The sky’s the limit!” </p>
<p id="6qUlcm">Go Knicks!</p>
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https://www.postingandtoasting.com/2024/3/26/24112469/knicks-roundup-hollinger-compares-knicks-nets-newsday-praises-deuce-guardian-calls-knicks-contendersRussell Richardson