Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is fighting for a roster spot with the Knicks and he hopes that his experience will help him make the 15-man opening day roster, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
“It’s a talented group — young, active, lots of energy,’’ the former Hornets and Mavericks forward said. “And I’m the vet of the locker room — which is crazy. It’s my ninth year in the NBA. Just being a leader, man, on and off the court.”
Kidd-Gilchrist signed an Exhibit 10 contract after appearing in just 25 games last season.
We have more on the Knicks;
- The Knicks are expected to hire Jaren Jackson Sr. for a role with the G League team in Westchester, N.Y., Marc Stein of the New York Times tweets. Jackson played 12 seasons in the NBA and is the father of Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Westchester is expected to participate in the proposed G League bubble in Atlanta, Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News tweets. NBA teams will have to pay in excess of $500K to enter their G League affiliate. The Atlanta “bubble” season would last for one month, likely starting in late January, with a minimum of 12 games that may increase to 15-16 games, plus a potential playoff schedule.
- Coach Tom Thibodeau believes this season’s 10-team postseason format for both conferences gives his team a fighting chance to end its playoff drought, Berman writes in a separate story. “I think it makes it interesting,’’ Thibodeau said. “Obviously, where we are, hopefully we’ll have a shot at that. It’s something that we have to work towards.”
No way the Knicks make the playoffs. Not even in the East. Hawks, Celtics, Nets, Bulls, Pacers, Heat, Bucks, Magic, Sixers, Raptors, and Wizards are all better. That’s 11 teams and then you can have a fair debate over the Cavs and Hornets.
I would definitely not include the Bulls as better. More like equally awful. I don’t have a lot confidence In the Wizards either. The Hawks are way better on paper but we’re quite awful last year. A couple of injuries and they could easily stay at the Knicks’ level. Seems like the bottom 5 teams will be fighting it out for the #10 spot. Some improvements from Barrett and M.Robinson, better coaching, and a quick start from Topin could easily catapult them to the 10seed.
Lol idk if you really “catapult” to the ten seed…
Bulls will be alot better simply getting healthy, and having a different coach..You can bank on it..
@andremets: The Wizards are unquestionably better than the Knicks. They have Beal, Bertans, and Westbrook. Are they good? Probably not, but they’re way better than the Knicks.
Knicks are probably looking at 20-25 wins, 30 max. It’s not a high bar to clear.
That’s numbers for an 82-game season, right? No way is NY going 30-42 this year, maybe 25 or 26 wins at the most.
If MKG feels the Knicks are a talented group while he fights for a spot, he needs to retire. As for Thibs and his outlook on possibly making the playoffs, he needs to get drug tested and stick with the plan and tank.
The Knicks are a talented group. A lot of them were lottery picks, so the talent has always been there. It’s just most of them have not been able to combine that talent with work ethic and good old-fashioned luck to become good NBA players.
Besides, all tanking will get you is more lottery picks that Knicks fans will be disappointed in after 2 years.
How many are currently talented, though? Robinson, RJ, and Toppin, but who else? Randle? The roster is pretty bad after those guys. I do hope Thibs can turn things around, though.
Magic lost their best player. Fultz had worse stats than Payton. Payton only played half the yr. Knicks easily will be better cause there’s a coach who knows what he’s doing. Won’t be the inconsistency and mismanagement of last yr. Personally I rather a better draft pick in a deep draft. Bulls didn’t do anything. They still need a PG. They won one more gm than Knicks. Magic, Bulls, Wizards, Hornets, probably fight for last two spots. Wiz are in so leaves one. Knicks are capable of competing for last seed. Plus they probably make a major move by TD or before. Randle is not finishing put season a Knick with Toppin here. RJ did not have a solid RY. He’s going to have a big yr under consistency coaching. Toppin will challenge for ROY. Young guys finally step up to consistency under Thibs. They can have a good yr. You really should watch a team if you want to criticize. But like I said, I want the best. But I would rather a top 10 pick next yr. Knicks have 5 picks next ur. So they could make A big trade at TD. Or they can just wait til draft. Knicks are rebuilding and it’s Thibs first yr as coach. Nothing better than to be a part of that.