Super Novas

The Sauce · Post by **The Sauce** » 16 Sep 2024, 10:17

S U P E R

N O V A S

NEW YORK KNICKS

Addition of Mikal Bridges strengthens Knicks' core
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In many ways, 2023-24 represented the most impactful Knicks season in decades (and perhaps their best post-2000). That’s because the Knicks won 50 games, had an All-NBA player (Brunson), found gems on the bench, made a solid mid-season trade (Anunoby), rousted a frustrated fan base and looked like a true contender.

Brunson was terrific and led a Villanova-flavored group that sizzled and reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals before losing Game 7 to the Indiana Pacers at home. The only setback was Julius Randle’s season-ending shoulder injury in late January. Otherwise, coach Tom Thibodeau’s crew planted the seeds of optimism inside Madison Square Garden, where basketball is thriving again.

Offseason Moves

Re-signing: Precious Achiuwa, OG Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, Jacob Toppin
Additions: Keita Bates-Diop (trade), Mikal Bridges (trade), Cameron Payne (free agency)
Draft: Pacome Dadiet (No. 25 pick), Tyler Kolek (No. 34), Kevin McCullar Jr. (No. 56), Ariel Hukporti (No. 58)
Departures: Bojan Bogdanovic (to Nets), Alec Burks (to Heat), Mamadi Diakite (to Nets), Isaiah Hartenstein (to Thunder), Shake Milton (to Nets)

Just when you thought president Leon Rose couldn’t top what he has already done, maybe he did just that. He swung for the fence by getting Bridges from the Nets to add exactly what this team needed. Did it cost a ton of future Draft capital? Yes, five future first-round picks. But if the Knicks are contending for titles, that won’t matter.

Additionally, Brunson signed a team-friendly four-year extension worth a reported $156 million, allowing the Knicks to keep the roster intact and clear room for other deals. (Anunoby’s extension, by comparison, was for a reported five years and $212 million.) Losing Hartenstein was a blow, but the Knicks might fix that backup center void by the trade deadline. Lastly, Thibodeau got additional job security in New York after agreeing to a reported three-year extension in July.

A championship is a realistic goal for a team built to win. Brunson, Randle, Anunoby, Bridges, Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride … there’s depth, defense and an ability to excel in both half-court and up-tempo. The Knicks could very well be Boston’s biggest threat in the East.

The Sauce · Post by **The Sauce** » 16 Sep 2024, 13:08

S U P E R

N O V A S

Post by **Captain Canada** » 16 Sep 2024, 14:08

Team could make a lot of noise, very deep roster. I'll be following along

The Sauce · Post by **The Sauce** » 17 Sep 2024, 08:50

Captain Canada wrote: ↑
16 Sep 2024, 14:08
Team could make a lot of noise, very deep roster. I'll be following along

I wasn't going to run with them initially since they're a top four team in the East, but then as I was playing a quick game I discovered that I can play with them, and specifically Brunson, exactly the way he plays in real life. And that made it way too tempting to pass up.

The Sauce · Post by **The Sauce** » 18 Sep 2024, 09:23

S U P E R

N O V A S

The Sauce · Post by **The Sauce** » 18 Sep 2024, 16:21

S U P E R

N O V A S

Post by **Captain Canada** » 19 Sep 2024, 10:35

Tatum put it on you, at least Brown shot like shit. Getting the defending champs right off the bat is tough.

chosenone58 · Post by **chosenone58** » 20 Sep 2024, 19:52

The Sauce · Post by **The Sauce** » 23 Sep 2024, 10:20

Captain Canada wrote: ↑
19 Sep 2024, 10:35
Tatum put it on you, at least Brown shot like shit. Getting the defending champs right off the bat is tough.

Dude, they were super tough.

chosenone58 wrote: ↑
20 Sep 2024, 19:52

Not a good look for us, and not a good shot against Indy next, either.

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