Ignas Brazdeikis

Will the Knicks feature Ignas Brazdeikis more moving forward?

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New York Knicks, Ignas Brazdeikis

As the New York Knicks progressed towards another disappointing loss on Monday night against the Sacramento Kings, one rookie managed to squeeze in his debut among the madness.

The Knicks are not a very good team as they try yo re-work their chemistry and develop a potent offense. The veteran free agents have failed to make a significant impact as head coach David Fizdale insists they change their games to fit his mold.

Julius Randle is an excellent example of a quality player who Fizdale has focused on to restructure his style of play. Fiz has made defense a priority for Randle, who is a primarily offensive player. Wanting any player to increase their defensive efficiency is a good thing, but changing a mentality and unraveling muscle memory takes months, if not years. Building around your players’ skills is the better ideology and something that the Knicks’ head coach seems to avoid.

How did the New York Knicks rookie look in his debut?

Ignas started with aggressiveness, driving to the rim, and picking up a foul. He hit both of his free throws. Shortly after, he attempted to kick the ball out to the perimeter but was intercepted. Overall, it was a short sequence of events that showed the Michigan product’s strengths and weaknesses.

Brazdeikis is a capable scorer that can be efficient from the floor, he’s also a lefty, which brings a different element to the Knicks’ offensive approach. I anticipate he will continue to garner more playing time as the season progresses, and the Knick continue to falter.

“It felt good,’’ Brazdeikis told The Post regarding the cheers. “At the end of day, we lost — which isn’t good. Actually playing, I haven’t played in a while so being out there felt really good.”

When asked about the team’s current stated and their progression, he said:

“We definitely have great vets and great players on the team’’ Brazdeikis said. “I’m keeping my head down and working. That’s all I’m focusing on. Because I’m not playing, I have an opportunity to get better with extra workouts [with coaches], lifting and getting stronger. In the long run, it will help me.’’

Barrett Shines, Morris ejected; New York Knicks first preseason game

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The New York Knicks opened the preseason in Washington last night.  The Knicks were without their, possible, starting point guard Dennis Smith Jr., who is resting his strained back.

The injury to Smith Jr. is nothing serious, just precautionary measures.  This opens up time for Frank Ntilikina and Elfrid Payton to showcase their skills and heat up the battle for point guard minutes.

The Knicks, led by RJ Barrett and Marcus Morris with 17 points each, defeated the Wizards 104-99.

However, Morris was ejected for swinging his elbows then hitting Justin Anderson on the head with the basketball.  In his post-game interview, Morris said, “We not taking no sh*t.”  Morris’ actions were uncalled for, but the fact that the Knicks have an enforcer is nice, in a way.  It’s the New York Knicks turn to fight back.

Barrett was a bright spot throughout the entire game for the Knicks.  He was shut down Bradley Beal in the first half, but struggled offensively.  The second half was when Barrett settled in.   His teammates kept feeding him the ball, as Barrett had the hot hand in the second half.  He was aggressive and knocking down shots.  Barrett was 6-13 from the field, 46%.

The Knicks leader, Julius Randle had a strong Knicks debut.  Randle looked strong and quick when taking the ball down-low.  At times, he got a little too fancy with the passes, but was able to make provide solid assists to his teammates.

Mitchell Robinson was every where in the first half.  Blocking shots, rebounding, stretching the floor and dunking.  He also did a fine job at not fouling as much.  Of course, he had some dumb cheap fouls in the second half, but nothing crazy.

Frank Ntilikina played very well, despite a not so good stat line.  The main thing was Ntilikina was aggressive and not afraid to drive and take his shot.  This version is Ntilikina is a lot better than last season, coming off that high of performing well for France in the FIBA World Cup.  If he can perfect, the mid-range jumper, it can be deadly.

Taj Gibson provided good veteran leadership on the floor and was able to find his stroke from beyond the arc. Wayne Ellington is sharp-shooter with great form and a great addition to the Knicks.

Despite the score, the Knicks were up by double-digits pretty much the whole game.  The bench provided a good spark to the team and is very deep.

Overall, this Knicks team is very enjoyable and a team the New York could fall in love with.  Yes, it was one preseason game, but this team is different.  A lot of talent on the roster to make some noise in the East if they play to their potential.  There’s a good mix of young, veteran presence and it could work.  The future seems to be bright.

New York Knicks: Ignas Brazdeikis is Ready to Prove Himself Right

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New York Knicks, Ignas Brazdeikis

New York Knicks rookie Ignas Brazdeikis is ready for the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. More importantly, Iggy Braz is ready to prove himself right. He could care less about the doubters. Doubters hold no weight in Iggy’s world. The second round gem sees himself as his greatest competitor. The Knicks found themselves a second-round sleeper who understands himself off the court, and he allows his game to speak for itself. Plus, according to RJ Barrett, Brazdeikis beat the New York Knicks 2019 third overall pick in a one-on-one pick-up game very badly during the time they were 8-year-old’s in basketball camp. Obviously, Barrett has improved since, but Brazdeikis possessed great natural talent since grade school.

The Canadian raised star averaged 14.8-points and 5.4-rebounds per game including a season-high 24-points against the University of North Carolina. This fearless competitor shot .392-percent from three-point range. Brazdeikis even displayed excellent three-point shooting during summer league. Knicks will look to spread the floor with the lefty three-point shooter.

Ignas Brazdeikis is a gym rat just like RJ Barrett. Both players complement each other very well on the basketball court due to Barrett’s physical, lane slashing style, and Brazdeikis with his naturally smooth shooting stroke. Many in the Knicks coaching staff are looking forward to training camp. Position battles will ensue and may the well-deserved personnel comes away with their well-deserved slots, whether it’s starting slots or a battle for rotation minutes.

Overall, Ignas Brazdeikis will only help the Knicks especially after New York’s lackluster season from behind the three-point line. Confidence is crucial for a rookie and the amount of confidence Ignas Brazdeikis has in his craft should never go understated.

New York Knicks will have to choose between Damyean Dotson or Ignas Brazdeikis

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New York Knicks, Damyean Dotson

The New York Knicks didn’t anticipate landing Michigan forward Ignas Brazdeikis in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft, but luckily, the Canadian fell right into their lap. His offensive traits and motor give him the ability to contribute this upcoming season, but he will likely have to battle it out with veteran, Damyean Dotson.

The third-year player has the three-point capabilities and defensive skills to warrant a roster spot, which would ultimately send Ignas to the G-League in Westchester. Playing well in garbage minutes last year helped earn him more impactful playing time, but Ignas seems to have more potential after just one season with the Wolverines.

At just 21-years-old, the Knicks might elect to put Ignas in their developmental system to further refine his traits. However, I feel as though he’s a better option coming off the bench as a rotational player that can put points on the board and utilize his tenacity to ‘annoy’ opponents.

Which New York Knicks player deserves the roster spot?

Comparing Dotson and Brazdeikis is difficult, as both are capable three-point shooters with average defense. The primary difference is NBA experience, with Dotson getting the nod in that category.

Both players will have the opportunity to prove their worth this preseason — training camp starts in just a few weeks. Realistically, the Knicks might look to trade Dotson later on in the season if he’s playing well and has value on the open market. The veteran might deserve a roster spot, but the Knicks haven’t don’t ample slots to play around with and test different options. A cluttered roster now filled with veteran signings will force head coach David Fizdale to make several difficult decisions, and the one between Brazdeikis/Doston could be one of them.

In a season where the Knicks aren’t expected to contend, maybe it’s better to give the roster spot to a young player with promise.

New York Knicks: One underrated impact player for the 2019 season

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New York Knicks, Ignas Brazdeikis

The New York Knicks drafted RJ Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, but they may have hit another homerun with second-round pick Ignas Brazdeikis.

Most analysts had the Michigan player as a first-round quality pick, but falling to the second allowed the Knicks to grab a player that can be influential for the future. He’s similar to Mitchell Robinson in the sense that he was overlooked and his talent wasn’t valued as high as it should’ve been.

Spending only one season with the Wolverines, Brazdeikis averaged 14.8 points and shot nearly 40% from beyond the arc. At 6-foot-7, Ignas is the perfect fit to be a utility player in the NBA and provide the Knicks with value all over the court. His aggressiveness towards scoring and substantial jump shot make him a threat in multiple facets.

While he will likely come off the bench due to the signings of Marcus Morris and Julius Randle, he can earn minutes and serve a specific purpose. Trusting him on defense is not the ideal scenario head coach David Fizdale wants to find himself in. His offense of production is excellent, and I imagine Fizdale will look to utilize those qualities. During Summer League play, he was the first rookie to score 30 points in a game, coming against the Phoenix Suns.

One of the more positive attributes Brazdeikis can offer the team is in regards to his three-point shooting ability. The Knicks have been one of the worst in that category over the past few seasons, so allowing the rookie to play 20-22 minutes per game isn’t necessarily a bad idea.

If the front office has managed to uncover another gem in Brazdeikis, they will be in good shape moving forward. Similar to what they did with Robinson and Allonzo Trier last season, the youth on the team is compounding and proving to be a positive rather than a negative. Helping the youngsters transition smoothly to the NBA and unlock their potential is the priority.

One reason the New York Knicks could make the playoffs

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New York Knicks

When people talk about the NBA playoffs, the New York Knicks are not in the conversation.  The Knicks are picked to finish last in the stacked Atlantic Division.  So, making the playoffs is stretch.

However, the newest members of the Knicks, Bobby Portis, Elfrid Payton and Wayne Ellington confirmed that this team as a bunch of ‘dogs’.  They are referring to the team having a gritty, determined vibe that will work hard.  Ellington recently said that this Knicks squad will be looking to ‘shock’ some people with there play.

Despite talks, there are Knicks fans out there that do believe the team has a shot at making the playoffs.  Since it seems like there is a two-team race for the East, Bucks and Sixers.

If the Knicks are to make in the playoffs, their bench is going to be that one reason.

As it appears now, the Knicks have one of the best benches in the leagues.  Well, at least depth wise.  Portis already spoke on the ‘dogs’ on this team, how he wants to win the Sixth man of the year and be the bench ‘leader’.  For now, we can defer to Portis for all the bench needs.

The bench will consist of Portis, Ellington, Payton, Daymean Dotson, Taj Gibson, Kadeem Allen, Ignas  Brazdeikis and Allonzo Trier.  There will be some speculation of who starts when it comes to Marcus Morris Sr. and Kevin Knox.  For defensive purposes, Morris should start with Knox being the first player off the bench, then Portis.  But, lets table that for now.

The bench will provide energy, defense and scoring.  Offensive production from the bench should be high considering the athletic capabilities each player presents inside and beyond the arc.  Not only has the bench improved, but the 3-point shooting has improved through their off-season acquisitions.  Key additions for that Ellington and Reggie Bullock, after his surgery and rehab.

If the Knicks want any chance of making the playoffs, the bench is going to have to back up their statements.  ‘Picking up their man for 94-feet’, being ‘dogs’ and looking to ‘shock’ people.  That mentality will have to be consistent throughout the year.

The starters should be fine.  Key word should.  The bench players will pick them up, if needed, as long as everyone understands their role and they plays as team.  Experts will be looking at the benches productivity for the reason the Knicks make the playoffs, if they do.

How the New York Knicks can make the playoffs next season

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New York Knicks, RJ Barrett

While the New York Knicks failed to entice any superstar players to bring their talents to Madison Square Garden, they did manage to bring in several capable veterans that can help develop the young players on the team. Losing out on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving likely wrote the word “contention” out of the dictionary for a team that has struggled immensely for quite some time.

However, nothing is impossible and players like Julius Randle and Marcus Morris can surely make an impact and help the Knicks reach the playoffs once again. It will take a “Judgian” effort, for lack of a better term.

For the Knicks to make the playoffs during the 2019-20 season, the veterans will play an integral part in elevating the team through leadership and efficiency. A majority of the squad is inexperienced and youthful, which will force the Knicks to adapt to a different style of play. Randall and Morris will represent the two veteran scoring options that will be earning significant playing time.

The New York Knicks will rely on their youth:

Ultimately, it comes down to how fast RJ Barrett and second-year players Mitchell Robinson, Allonzo Trier, and Kevin Knox reach a point of solidarity and productivity.  All four players need to contribute in some facet and make an impact on a daily basis for the team to have playoff aspirations.

Barrett struggled during Summer League play this off-season, while Knox showed better vision on the court and more aggressiveness towards the rim. Robinson seems to be improving an astronomical rate and looks the best of the group at this point. Trier is an isolation scorer who is been working on his three-point shot, which will be extremely beneficial throughout the course of the season.

One player that I think will have a surprising impact is Ignas Brazdeikis. The Michigan product was the first rookie to score 30-points during the Summer League this season, also tallying eight rebounds in the same game. He’s an exciting finisher that played just one season in college before taking his talents to the NBA. At just 20-years-old, Brazdeikis is full of potential and optimism.

For the Knicks to make the playoffs they need to score…A LOT. Their defense will likely be the primary deficiency on the team, despite having a prolific shot blocker in Robinson. Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. also must have a fantastic season, as a dud from him would cripple to the Knicks. He’s been working on his jump-shot all summer and should see a better field-goal percentage.

 

New York Knicks: Ignas Brazdeikis can be something special

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New York Knicks, Ignas Brazdeikis

Some have stated that the New York Knicks second-round pick Ignas Brazdeikis could be a D-league player during the 2019-20 season. However, he is more likely to make an impact on the active roster rather than spend his days with the Westchester Knicks.

Brazdeikis is a first-round talent that happened to slip to the second round, the Knicks traded up with the Sacramento Kings to grab him and ensure that he didn’t go any further than the 47th overall pick.

The New York Knicks might have gotten a steal in Ignas Brazdeikis:

The offensive production Brazdeikis brings to the team is special, even more-so than Allonzo Trier last season. The optimism is higher, and the overall potential for growth is more distinguished when it comes to Ignas and his abilities. His shooting was on display during the Summer League where he posted 30 points against the Phoenix Suns, the first player to reach that feat this session. He also recorded eight rebounds with three baskets from beyond the arc in that specific game.

Showing off his versatility and diversity with his display of offensive quality, there’s tons of value to be extracted from the rookie this upcoming season. His jumpshot seems to be a strength and he is keen on attacking the rim and being aggressive player with high energy.

That is all you can ask from a rookie looking to leave their mark early on in their career. He doesn’t have elite athleticism but his heart makes up for what he lacks in that category.

With Michigan for just one season, Brazdeikis average 14.8 points and 5.5 total rebounds per game on .392% shooting from beyond the arc in 2018. At just 20 years old, Brazdeikis is preparing to elevate his game and progress every single season moving forward. I see Brazdeikis being an extremely important Sixth Man for the Knicks, providing production and efficiency in that role.

New York Knicks: Ignas Brazdeikis can be an impact player for the Knicks

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New York Knicks, Ignas Brazdeikis

Why shouldn’t we give Ignas Brazdeikis the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his professional basketball career with the New York Knicks?

As a second-round pick with first-round talent, Brazdeikis was one of the more intriguing players from the 2019 NBA draft. His offensive skills could have provided more production for any given team, but the Knicks desperately needed his ability to attack the rim and put points on the board.

However, the Knicks are inadequate, and that likely won’t change next season despite their continuing efforts to drag themselves out of the dark ages. James Dolan seems keen on keeping them locked in the dungeon while their next-door neighbors in the Brooklyn Nets thrive.

The New York Knicks are trending up!

For the sake of optimism, though, there is plenty of talent on the Knicks to eventually develop into a quality team. They signed multiple veterans this off-season to bolster the starting roster and help win more than 17 total games. Some have mentioned the idea of playoffs, but that word has been axed from the dictionary when it comes to Knicks fans and their hopes.

Maybe, Brazdeikis can give us a little more proof of progression along with first-round selection, RJ Barrett. The last two off-season‘s have been looking up for the Knicks. While Kevin Knox had an all-time lousy rookie campaign, he has the potential to develop into a solid player and second-round pick, Mitchell Robinson, can be a star in the NBA.

Despite the Knicks failing to lure superstars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to the Mecca of basketball, they have a solid foundation of youth they continue to build upon.

Brazdeikis is undoubtedly part of that exciting young core, as he was the first player to score 30 points in this year‘s Summer League campaign. At just 20 years old, he can be an impact player for the Knicks. He played only one season at Michigan and declared for the draft, which gives us a good idea of what he is capable of. He averaged 14.8 points and 5.5 total rebounds per game on .392% shooting from beyond the ark in 2018.

New York Knicks: RJ Barrett knows he’s capable of a stellar rookie season

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New York Knicks, RJ Barrett

New York Knicks third overall selection in the 2019 NBA draft, RJ Barrett, is capable of much more than his summer league performance displayed.

One of the most productive offensive players in college last year, Barrett started his professional career in horrendous form. However, he finished Summer League play looking much more confident and capable on the floor. In his Las Vegas finale, Barrett posted 21 points, ten assists, and eight rebounds and had two consecutive double-doubles.

Electing to opt-out of the basketball World Cup and playing with team Canada, citing a calf strain, might be the most beneficial path to take given his NBA career. Ensuring he does not pick up any additional injuries is essential moving forward.

Instead of partaking in the basketball World Cup, Barrett joined fellow draft pick Ignas Brazdeikis for the NBA’s annual rookie orientation.

Barrett stated in regards to his summer league performance:

“I missed way too many layups [in summer league],” Barrett told reporters.

The Knicks signing several veteran contributors this off-season will help the young rookie develop his game and learn from more experienced players. Last season, the Knicks youth were forced to learn on their own as the veteran influence was minimal.

For a player like Barrett, confidence is vital, and that will be developed through playing time and leadership. As the Summer League progressed, so did his natural abilities, as he adapted to the physicality and strength of NBA-quality players.

“I felt like that got my mojo going,’’ Barrett said regarding the finish to his Summer League debut. “So just trying to bring that into training camp is going to be good.”

It’s expected that the Knicks will start Barrett in 2019-20, as getting him on the court will allow him to refine his skillset and develop much faster. However, he will battle constant rookie hurdles and will need to lean on his teammates at times.

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Barrett was one of college’s best rim attackers and paint scorers, but the strength and size of NBA players will cause problems and force him to adapt. Developing a more consistent perimeter jump-shot will be one of the attributes Barrett needs to work on.

One thing Barrett and Brazdeikis both have, is the mentality to win and succeed. As rookies, that is all you can hope for.