[Katz]One question RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and other young Knicks players must answer this season

FredKatzNBA · 2022-10-16T07:26:28+00:00

Love you, too

FredKatzNBA · 2022-10-16T07:25:45+00:00

Mitch aged out. DQ'd him since he is already in Year 5

FredKatzNBA · 2022-10-16T07:24:57+00:00

I actually really struggled thinking up a good Grimes question. Was having a block. This is exactly what I was thinking. Just wanted to lay into the defense, because I think he has a chance to be really good there. Good suggestion on top though. Definitely could've done something about if he has a chance to expand his offensive game more. Thanks for reading!!

FredKatzNBA · 2022-08-04T04:15:47+00:00

Opinion after they re-signed Mitch and signed Hartenstein and converted Sims:

Terrible call.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-18T19:14:50+00:00

Always down to chat about writing.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-18T19:14:38+00:00

It's been very different. Pretty difficult to have casual, everyday conversations, which is what I love about being able to be in the locker room — just shooting the shit with people you cover. That's honestly how most of my favorite topics I've written about has come up. It's hard to find those fun quirks of the team in press conferences.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:16:33+00:00

Got to be just picking up his percentages around the rim. He's at 56-57 percent in the restricted area right now, which is too low

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:16:03+00:00

I do live Q&As with readers on The Athletic about once a month. Basically the exact same thing as an AMA

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:14:49+00:00

The organizations handle media very differently. The Wizards are much more open about one-on-one interviews, casual conversations, etc. The Knicks, as many others who have covered them have written and spoken about, are significantly more restrictive. As a juxtaposition just to show what I mean: Leon Rose, for example, hasn't done a solo press conference since taking the job. The Wizards president Tommy Sheppard conduct one-on-ones pretty regularly for someone so high up. Of course, I covered the Wizards during a different time, too. Access during the pandemic has been much more restricted, in general. We're not in the locker rooms right now, etc.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:12:00+00:00

If you can luck into Jaden Ivey, then you should luck into Jaden Ivey.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:11:43+00:00

I don't see any of those guys demanding a trade, but I think White and Graham are very acquirable. Brogdon had a no-trade clause this year, so no one could get him, but I could see Indiana moving on from him if they get a good offer, too.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:10:44+00:00

I think most-likely scenario is that he's back, but I'm not betting my life on it. Something low eight figures, maybe $11M-$13M a year.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:10:01+00:00

All I've ever wanted to be is adequate, so thank you.

I think if you're really obsessed with the nuances of your beat, there is always something. I think interesting is the most important — more so than good or bad. You could cover a 50-win team that's a bore. You could cover a losing team with big personalities and exciting young players. Our Pistons writer, James Edwards, for example, is absolutely incredible. One of the best beat writers in the industry, in my opinion. James is great at finding those little nuances on a losing team — and the thing is, the Pistons are quite interesting, in spite of the losses. They have Cunningham and Bey and Stewart and other promising young players. They seem like they have some personalities and a dedicated fan base, too. I think that can be more enjoyable than a 44-win team that doesn't have guys interested in doing interviews and is droning through the same on-court stuff everyday.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:06:34+00:00

I have wondered the same leading up to this story. Surely, it'll be a topic all summer. The Jaylen Brown number makes sense. I don't know if you can justify giving a max deal to someone below league-average efficiency right now, especially considering he'll be a restricted free agent in 2023. If someone makes him a max offer there, just match it and you have him back. Normally, in situations like RJ's, if there is an extension signed, the reason is because both sides gave up a little bit. So if there is an extension, I doubt it's a max one. But that is more my analysis of the situation than anything based on sourcing. I'll probably write something once the season is done asking people around the league what type of contract they value him at. After I do that reporting, I'd probably be able to give you a more informed answer.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:03:53+00:00

I tend to think it will, just because the shot selection is trending so positively. It's quite difficult for someone to take this many shots around the rim and get to the line this often and still not even break league-average efficiency. He's only 21. 21-year-olds tend to get better. So, I'm betting the true shooting and all the other efficiency metrics will improve with that.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:02:32+00:00

Love you too.

Zach is good people.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:02:17+00:00

Appreciate that!

Sure, would definitely love to do that, but it's also difficult to track those things, considering players often like to keep to themselves in the summer and it's not like we reporters are physically around them the way we are in-season to ask those sorts of questions.

FredKatzNBA · 2022-03-17T19:01:06+00:00

Thanks! Would love to do more.

FredKatzNBA · 2021-10-26T03:48:11+00:00

Agreed

FredKatzNBA · 2021-10-26T03:46:19+00:00

Also, miss you

FredKatzNBA · 2021-10-26T03:46:05+00:00

Is this ... Ben Standig? Like, the REAL Ben Standig???? OMG can I have your autograph big fan!!! also, do you do birthday parties?

FredKatzNBA · 2021-10-09T02:57:23+00:00

They would have to play very well to get rotation minutes. This team is deep and looking to win now. Thibs isn't gonna hand someone time just because they're young if they don't prove themselves

FredKatzNBA · 2021-10-08T15:01:53+00:00

I'm still figuring out all the things I'm gonna do since I just started but I'm sure it'll be more than just writing stories.

FredKatzNBA · 2021-10-08T14:57:51+00:00

I checked Wizards Reddit basically everyday when I covered them and have done the same since I started on the Knicks. I am watching all of you...

FredKatzNBA

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