Marc Berman
@NYPost_Berman
Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson wanted to play tonight's consolation game. Wanted another chance to get a run with their rookies RJ Barrett and Ignas Brazdeikas. Admirable, especially when you look at all the lottery picks who didn't play in Vegas.
??-
Culture is forming, character is being built... the ?core? gets it! We got some kids who want to work, who desire to be more than just rich ballers... they want to make a career for themselves, grow their game ? they want to be great.
MRob, Knox, Trier, Iggy, RJ, Wooten... these 6 have a feel about them, in the collective sense. We may not have an all star in there, or we may have a DPOY and another possible MVP on our roster.
Who knows, really?
???
?We?ll keep building with him,?? said Knicks summer-league coach Jud Buechler, who had indicated beforehand Barrett wouldn?t play the consolation game. ?He learned from this summer league. He?ll watch film between now and training camp. He?ll have a much better idea what he needs to improve on.??
Barrett has yet to decline an invitation from Team Canada for the World Cup, according to a source, but it would seem to be too much of a grind.
As for Barrett, his summer league received mixed reviews
?When you pick [at No.] 3, you?re trying to get an All-Star, and he definitely doesn?t look like that,?? one NBA scout said. ?But he looked like he?ll be an NBA player for a long time.??
?We?ll keep building with him,?? said Knicks summer-league coach Jud Buechler, who had indicated beforehand Barrett wouldn?t play the consolation game. ?He learned from this summer league. He?ll watch film between now and training camp. He?ll have a much better idea what he needs to improve on.??
Barrett has yet to decline an invitation from Team Canada for the World Cup, according to a source, but it would seem to be too much of a grind.
As for Barrett, his summer league received mixed reviews
?When you pick [at No.] 3, you?re trying to get an All-Star, and he definitely doesn?t look like that,?? one NBA scout said. ?But he looked like he?ll be an NBA player for a long time.??
?????
They beat we can probably admit right now, is we (most likely) have the core of our roster moving forward in place... they may be complimentary starters and reserve rotation types, or they?re the nucleus....
Regardless, I feel confident we have 4-5 young kids that?ll be a part of this team for the next 5-6 years.
They have help, too.
The weight of the franchise will be on Payton, Portis, DSJ and Randle?s shoulders for the next 2 years. 1 was brought here in the KP trade and the other our buggiest free agent acquisition since Timmy. The 3rd is a Perry guy and will be left to salvage the ?all important? PG position of DSJ falters... The 4th is a backup big, 3-sniper lottery ticket.
With these 4 carrying the load, they?ll be a group of 6 kids to go to battle with, and this core-10 or so foundation pieces will be reinforced by a Calvary of Vets...
Bullock and Ellington
Morris and Taj
Meanwhile, Allen and Knits will battle for the final spot...
4 prime players plus 6 kids, 4 vets, and a spare part.
15 dudes... all NBA verifiably players.
Will it work? 44 wins. 7th seed?
28 wins, but battled? 13-32 and this is blown up at deadline?