John Henson‘s 10-day contract with the Knicks expired overnight and the team doesn’t plan to sign him for another 10-day stint, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, who notes (via Twitter) that the big man injured his calf on the second day of his deal and didn’t get a chance to play at all.
With Henson no longer under contract, the Knicks have an open spot on their 15-man roster and could create a second one if they don’t re-sign Norvel Pelle after his second 10-day deal expires next Wednesday night. Pelle made a case on Wednesday for a rest-of-season contract, as he was a plus-19 in just 13 minutes in New York’s victory over New Orleans.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- The Knicks haven’t played any worse with Mitchell Robinson sidelined this season than they have with him in the lineup, prompting Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News to wonder how heavily the team should be willing to invest in Robinson on his next contract.
- Nerlens Noel has played a major part in making up for Robinson’s absence. Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report takes a closer look at Noel’s resurgence and how it could impact the former lottery pick’s upcoming free agency.
- Like Mark Cuban‘s Mavericks, Tom Thibodeau‘s Knicks may have to earn their playoff spot in a play-in tournament despite a possible top-eight finish. However, Thibodeau is more enthusiastic than Cuban about the merits of the play-in tournament, writes Steve Popper of Newsday. “I think we have to let it play out first and then assess it again,” Thibodeau said. “But I think a lot of a lot of teams being involved in important games, I think that that’s good for the league. I think you’re always concerned about that. And so let’s see we’ll how it plays out but the initial thought of it I think is very good.”
- Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy pointed to the “extra training camp” that Thibodeau and the Knicks got last fall as one reason for the team’s surprise emergence this season, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post. The teams that weren’t invited to the Walt Disney World bubble last summer were granted up to two weeks of organized team activities in September and October — that was Thibodeau’s first real chance to get familiar with his players, though it’s worth noting the roster was overhauled to some extent after that.
Noel, Burks, and Bullock solid players that have helped change the Knicks. Hopefully they can all come back but of course depending on price
Noel is 6’10” and barely 220 LBs. He can’t anchor a Thibs defense. He won’t hold up if he’s counted on starting n playing 32-36 mins a gm. He’s having a solid yr cause he is the backup. Frankly I’ve always thought he was best as a D 4 next to and O center, like KAT. He is a solid D guy. And could play next to KAT 32 mins a gm. He’d probably be a 10 n 10 guy with good D. Isn’t that what Minny needs. He can also help protect the rim and middle. Mitch has just started to play well. His ceiling is still a lot further up. This is just your basic chaotic media creating headlines. Mitch is the starting center here for next 10 yrs. He can be a DPY here. His offense also will improve enough. To make him a top C in league. Only 21 and first yr under Thibs. Keep in mind this is Thibs first yr here. 1st Year. This is same team media and most fans killed last yr. It’s basically same roster. OK. so can we have a little time to build this right. In Thibs we Trust
We need to keep BOTH Robinson and Noel.. give them each half a game (24 mins) and they will play much better and both would always be fresh cuz they won’t be playing too many mins especially when it comes to the playoffs when u want ur guys to be fresh for a deep run..
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I don’t think it’s surprising that the Knicks play about the same with or without Mitch as he is a very similar player to Noel and puts up similar numbers. The thing is, he’s younger and still developing and presumably has a lot of room for improvement.
imo, if he wants to take his game up a level, he needs to add some kind of offensive game. Right now he’s just a finisher or a put-back specialist. If he added a jump shot or some ball handling skills, he can be great. Until then, he’ll just be reliant on his energy and athleticism.
Defensive is just very difficult to prove statistically on an individual level. DBPM, which might be the most reliable, gives Noel a big advantage over Mitch. FWIW Noel also blocks more shots in fewer mins.
But Thibs is probably the biggest factor here. Look at this Knicks team – the roster doesn’t scream defense (at all), yet they’ve had one of the best defenses in the league all year, with or without Mitch.
Having said that Mitch is taller, wider, and 4 years younger than Noel, so I still think they’ll be looking at Mitch as the long-term center out of the 2.
You do know Noel has been in the league since
2014-15. Right ???? You do know Knicks are his FOURTH team. You do know he’s never avg more than the 23 mins he’s avg now. In his 7th YEAR. Only his first yr with a terrible Sixer team did he avg more mins. He and Mitch don’t belong in the same sentence lol. Noel is the definition of journey player. Whoever thinks he can be your starting center. Doesn’t understand the game. Mitch has potential to be a top 3 center. 21 yrs OLD. Again 21yrs OLD. 1st yr under Thibs. His progressing just fine. This is his first productive yr. FIRST …… 21 yrs OLD. relax
First of all. Where did I say Knicks should keep Noel over Mitch?
Answer: Nowhere. In fact I said the opposite.
Second, if you’re going to emphasize his age multiple times at least know how old the kid is – he’s 23, not 21. Still young, still has potential. Still looking like he’ll be the long-term solution.
But Noel has done well this season, all things considered. Statistically he’s been better than Mitch in a few categories *this* year. Kudos to him. But like I said, I don’t put a whole lot of faith in individual defensive stats.
Finally, the article I’m commenting on put Noel and Mitch in the same sentence, not me.
With or without Mitch . <<<<<<<
You get it now.
Noel is a solid backup. He is not Mitch
Top 3 center? That’s funny. Let’s see if he can stay on the court for 30 mpg and not get in foul trouble.
As for Noel, he’s done an outstanding job for what he’s paid. Expectations aren’t for him to be the long term solution, but he’s certainly proven to be a solid #2.
He was until he got hurt (31 mins). I guess you don’t read well. This is his first productive yr. And Thibs first yr. His 1st yr NOT getting in foul trouble. Hence his solid production. You obviously don’t watch the Knicks. Noel is a FA, I doubt he comes back. I rather have Whiteside or Howard. Both would be cheaper and as productive. When he does become a top center. In about 2-4 yrs. Remember who informed .
Al, my man, I know you’re passionate about Mitch, but take your own advice and ‘relax’! You’re ripping a fellow Knicks fan, haha.
I’m passionate about the Knicks. Today’s fans and I do mean today’s. Will comment on trends and not observation. On media story lines instead of the real work. Anyone who knows this game and respects this game. Like I do. Should watch enough before making assumptions about talent. Especially young talent. I mean just look at Randle. Any true fan will give their team the benefit of the doubt. Knicks are a different animal cause of city. Mitch at 21is better than Noel at 27. Now with real coaching and development. He is taking the true next steps. So imagine what he will be at 27. Rebuilding rebuilding
It is hard to tell what you mean with your writing but you doubted Randle originally and know little about him. Your Mitch is 23 not 21 as you have been told. So, your evidence does not show you are always right like your delusions of you. This is infuriating like with Marty. The likely truth is harsh and I will backspace over it, again.
Nobody here said get rid of Robinson, probably not Berman either, and I doubt Rose is considering it. But there is a matter of valuation not just idol-worship. I’ve never heard you put a figure on a salary, just say the young will get better… well that is easy enough to say but what offer to what youth?
Noel has said he does not want to stay so it is easy for a Knick fan to dismiss him, even if that’s an error.
No reason to trust you whatever your turd-blocks say.
And no you do not own Knicks pages. If any team is exposed nationally here, it’s the Knicks, even though mostly irrelevant.
Much gets said about NY teams.
Width being the key factor here. Everyone thinks it’s all about height.
I doubt Noel’s performance will impact the Knicks’ decision on Mitch. But Mitch’s missed time might. His contract situation has some nuances to it, and I’m hoping that the Knicks can parlay that and a somewhat unfinished body of work into a relatively team friendly extension. I trust Rose to navigate the situation.
Thibs’ defensive schemes require an available rim protector for 48 minutes. Mitch is best of breed here, and thus a great fit on that basis. Noel is as well, and I hope he can return. Gibson also plays the spot well. But Mitch provides a physical presence that the others can’t. He can also add an offensive dimension to the spot with his ability to control air space around the basket on the offensive end. The fit with Randle isn’t the best for the latter to shine, but it’s a valuable skill set that a rebuilding team has to value, and I believe they do.
I’m not hating on Noel. He’s just not Mitch. Mitch has a big future at 21. Noel is peaking right now. He is not a starting center. Imo he should be playing PF. A defensive 4 next to a scoring center. He can backup and help. That’s where he can get his contract that’s where he can play 32-34 mins a gm. That’s where he can be effective. For instance you pair him with KP. Or you pair him with KAT. Duncan and Robinson Spurs won. Cause David took a back seat to Duncan’s offense. But he led defensively. Both backed each other to make it work on O and D. You can’t start 5 guys who are all offense. You need that mix that creates chemistry. That’s what all teams search for. Noel strength is defense and team defense. He can’t give you that as the anchor of your D at 34 mins, 82 gms a yr. Mitch can, Noel can do it with another big at the 4. Cause then he won’t get as beat up. Or he can do it as a backup like he does it on Knicks. That’s Noel to me. He’s a FA making 5 mill a year. Who thinks he’s underpaid cause he turned down a big contract. You only get paid as a starter in this league. McGee, Whiteside, Howard, all make less. And all can give the same.
Hasheem Thabeet