iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Checked out Penny’s Bookshelf in Milford for the first time. Place has been around 35 years and has a very impressive collection of used books. I’ll definitely be going back. #booksky

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Just finished Paul Murray’s 2023 family epic, The Bee Sting. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year and ranks right alongside my other all-time favorites in the “families falling apart” genre. On par with Franzen, Nathan Hill. #Booksky

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Picked up a couple from my TBR list for a grand total of 6 US dollars. Used bookstores remain undefeated #booksky

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

#5 Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart Just edging out Yesteryear, I slightly preferred this modern satire. The precocious child narrator worked for me. Vera was all the things it promised to be - funny, poignant, biting, sad. At times it felt like doomscrolling and at times it felt very optimistic.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

#4 London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe I'll read everything PRK writes. Say Nothing & Empire of Pain were two of my fav books of the years they were published & this one lives up to the hype. It is also a feat of dogged reporting, expert storytelling, and a clear-eyed (yet still empathetic) POV.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

#3 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Sybil van Antwerp was such an impressive literary creation. Smart, stubborn, human (deeply flawed). She’s going to stick with me. This is sad but also hopeful. I love the notion that we never stop having the capacity to change and grow & Sybil embodied that.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

#2 The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride More meandering than McBride's Deacon King Kong which is one of my all-time favorites. This one will even test your patience, but man is it worth it. My advice: let it wash over you & don't worry about following every thread. It's a great hang.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

#1 James by Percival Everett Sometimes the book that's beloved by everyone & wins all the awards is just as good as everyone says. It's smart, tragic, funny, horrifying. I think the thing I most admired about it is just how propulsive and readable it is. This thing just GOES. It's a masterpiece.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I wrote this in 2018 about Mitchell Robinson just 23 days into his career. There are some truly cursed sentences in here involving Fizdale and Hezonja but this paragraph leapt out. Been through a lot with this guy. Gonna miss him!

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

And yet no moving screens called.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

If you check out the final play of the NBA Finals, something happens that not enough people are talking about. Feel free to rewind a few times, slow it down, freeze frame it. If you watch carefully, as the clock hits zero, you'll see the Knicks become NBA champions.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

@fredkatz.bsky.social & @zachlowenba.bsky.social talked about this bucket from Jalen Brunson. Just watch Mitch's impact. Not only do you see Wemby direct Vassell to get a body on him, Wemby's first instinct when the shot goes up is to look @ Mitch. He's too worried to contest. Who was in whose head?

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

You should’ve seen it before

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

In a game you win by 1 point following the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, every single point mattered, and every player's contribution mattered. Shout out to Hukporti staying ready. Watch him set this screen on Vassell leading to literally the most wide open shot the Knicks got all night.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

He got ball first. The photo you shared is on the follow through. You can see his hand on the ball here. Fox also called it a good block in the post game. No reason for hate here!

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Look at this! Unreal stuff from OG. #KnicksSky

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

OG Anunoby has scored 21 points on 8/11 shooting so far this series when Victor Wembanyama has been the closest defender per @nba.com. He is just undaunted by this contest. He doesn't even look rushed.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Another example here. Mitch sets this screen just over half court and look how much space Brunson has to work with. Generates an open three from his favorite spot behind the arc. Bring Wemby as high up as you can get him!

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Here Mitch does it again, sealing off Wemby to prevent him from getting to this Brunson step through. JB doesn't convert but Mitch is there for the tip-in. This might be the consummate Mitchell Robinson offensive possession. Really smart stuff. #KnicksSky #knicks #Knicksky

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Mitchell Robinson has gotten so good at this - often called a "Gortat screen" where he sets a ball screen, then rolls and sets a second screen on his own man, opening up a lane for the ball-handler. Watch him hit Kornet here, appearing to start his box out and freeing up Brunson for the layup.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Usually when you target a defender in the PnR, it's to get a mismatch. NYK need to target Wemby for a different reason: to get him out of the paint. Whoever Wemby is guarding, have him set a very high PnR for the ballhandler. Space the floor, simplify the offense, cut back on TOs, open up the paint.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Watch Hart's right foot when he lands. He comes down directly on Wemby's foot. This is exactly what Brunson received a flagrant for. If Hart sells this, it's a four-point play plus possession.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

It has come to my attention that this OReb deserved strong consideration for a top spot. My ranking was prob too results-focused (what did the rebound lead to?). This rebound was insane given the degree of difficulty and circumstance. JB barely missed a floater after this ending in an empty trip.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#1: Look at the score. Look at the crowded paint. Tally this in the category of "Only Hart could've secured this." Even when I slow it down, I can't see how he does it. It's like a cartoon scrum where it's all dust and limbs vying for the ball. Hart comes away with it. As if there were ever a doubt.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#2: During crunch time, each REB felt bigger than the last. Here, Hart had an impossible task, contesting Fox w/o allowing the dump off to Castle. Watch the little stutter step backwards before contesting Fox (who was open here). Hart rises up & snares it in traffic w/ one hand at a critical moment.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#3: NYK were down 14 with 6:31 left in the 3Q, so it felt enormous in the moment for them to be tied going into the 4Q. Here, Mitch gets pulled out of the paint & Brunson misses a box out. No worries, Hart hangs in the air for an extra second to grab the ball directly off the rim, ending the poss.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#4: This one stands out, not so much for the rebound itself (which is a classic "Hart tracks it down"), but for the defense that led to it and the hit ahead resulting in two big free throws down the stretch in the 4Q. Hart absolutely stonewalled Castle (pun?) before pushing in transition as he does.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

#5: Though Hart grabbed 6 of his 15 boards in the 4Q, he set the tone early with his effort and decision-making. Here he snatches the ball away from the outstretched arm of Wemby before finding OG in the corner resulting in three points.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

We'll start w/ an Honorable Mention. This one is the least "reboundy" of Hart's REBs since Shamet didn't secure possession. Hart - who is too often in the right place at the right time for it to be a coincidence - scoops it up & finds Brunson who scores NYK's 7th straight point, forcing a timeout.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Loved this comp from Dan on Bridges’ role on this team. Reminds me of Stringer Bell’s quote about a 40 degree day. This especially applies when Bridges is playing “solid” or even just “well.” During this stretch of dominance, Mikal has been “spectacular” on both ends & the fan base is taking notice.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

The @knickfilmskool.bsky.social newsletter also smartly called out the advantages of using Hart as a screener. Here's another example where Allen is playing so far off Hart that he's completely out of position when Brunson gets the DHO. One slight fake left from JB and Allen had no shot to contest.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

CLE tried several times to put smaller players on KAT. NYK needs to be better about punishing these mismatches. Putting the ball in Hart's hands is smart too b/c it occupies Allen and draws him out from the rim. Need KAT to be better and play through contact the rest of the series.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Putting Evan Mobley on KAT shouldn't negate KAT, especially against a switching defense. This is another version of mismatch hunting. KAT gets Mitchell on the switch and just goes through him. You see Hart motion for the kickout to Bridges too as Hart pins in Mobley. There are options here.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Watch how far Allen is sagging off Hart, giving all his attention to the cutting Brunson. Hart stampedes the catch (w/ a slight hesitation) and uses the space as a runway to the rim. This is a great way to combat this defense. You can also imagine using Brunson as a screener here to pick off Allen.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

First bucket of the game came in semi-transition. NYK pushed the ball up the floor, forcing CLE into switched matchups. Here you have Jarrett Allen on Bridges instead of Hart. Bridges moves well off the ball & attacks the mismatch leading to the floater. The more NYK can get out and run, the better.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Just a fantastic replay package here. Mitch on Embiid again and again and again.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

PHI knows OG isn’t used much as a screener so they try to hide Embiid on him. NYK go straight into pick and pop. Perfectly timed cut from KAT to turn PG’s head for a split second. On target bullet from Mikal to OG. Knicks have a lot of answers right now.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Huge sequence here. Hawks continue to put Brunson in a ton of actions. Nice rotation from KAT here leading to the steal and run out.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

OG with less of a “step-back” three than a “hop-back” three. Look at the ground he covers to create space. Don’t think I’ve ever seen him do this before #KnicksSky

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

And I really wasn’t expecting Thibs to be catching strays in the Q section! #KnicksSky

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Making good on my Bluesky description, here’s a Knicks book that we got my for three-year-old. Some really deep cuts in here! “N” is for Willie Naulls, “Z” is for Max Zaslofsky. Some cool illustrations on here. #KnicksSky #BookSky

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

Worth monitoring: KAT's effectiveness passing out drives lately. Pre-ASB: 6.9 drives/g | 16.8 pass% on those drives | 4 AST% | 8.5% TOV% Post-ASB: 6.9 drives/g | 29.2 pass% | 8.3 AST% | 6.3 TOV%

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Then, here you've got Wemby on Hart which pulls him out for the contest. KAT again feasts on the offensive glass and gets the easy putback.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

One other way the Knicks took advantage of SAS putting a wing on KAT is by attacking the offensive glass. Here Wemby is on Diawara while Vassell is wrestling with KAT who just bullies his way to the OREB and two FTs.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Same deal here. Wemby is at the foul line as Hart sets high screens for Brunson. JB just walks right into a three from his favorite spot because Wemby is so far off. Easy points by using Hart as the screener.

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Tom Piccolo @tompiccolo.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

KAT missed but I appreciated Mike Brown trying this coming out of a timeout. It looks like Brunson is going to pass & cut through until he veers and sets the screen for KAT to pop out. I like the creativity of using Brunson as a screener. Anything to get more chemistry between the stars #KnicksSky

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