N.Y. Knicks: Cold Start Proves Costly

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

PLAYOFFS: ROUND ONE

GAME ONE

Atlanta Hawks      107

New York Knicks  105

FINAL

Getting to the Point of the Matter

I'm not listening to the nonsensical Frank Ntilikina narrative about preventing Trae Young from playing to his right.  Yes, Julius Randle was there to help on the left side.  But let's not be petty ... that's not what happened.  Losing the game on a last-second shot is not what went wrong.  Instead, the results of the Knicks game-long collective efforts put them in a position to win.

Julius Randle started ice cold, and the Hawks outscored the Knicks in the first quarter by eight.  Randle remained cold, but by halftime, the Knicks deficit was only two, largely thanks to Derrick Rose, who Coach Thibideau utilized off the bench far earlier than anticipated.  Julius stayed cold, yet the Knicks led by two after three quarters.

As he should have, Julius Randle led the team with 23 attempts, the same number as Trae Young.  But whereas Young was 11/23, including 1/3 from behind the arc, and 9/9 from the line for a game-high 32 points, Julius Randle was 6/23 and 2/6 from three and just 1/2 from the line.  Despite hitting a clutch three down the stretch, Randle effectively remained cold throughout the fourth.  If he hits one more three, the Knicks win.  If Julius gets to the line more, the Knicks win.  If the Knicks score two more points back in the first quarter, they probably win.

The Knicks twice exceeded 30 points in a quarter, the Hawks just once; it just so happened in the fourth.  But Atlanta only scored 24 points back in the first; the Knicks scored just 16 points.  Instead of pointing at Young's last shot and Julius Randle's fail attempt at the buzzer, rewind and revisit the first quarter.  But before you do, first remember that Nerlens Noel was not on the floor when Young put up his winning shot.

And by the way, the Knick outrebounded the Hawks by seven.

The bench scored 64 points which accounted for 60.9% of the Knicks scoring.  Alec Burks was the big man on campus, with 18 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter.

Coach Thibodeau has a decision to make at point guard.  I agree that Derrick Rose should play off the bench.  However, necessity is the mother of all inventions.  Rose clocked 38 minutes.  Elfrid Payton played just eight minutes, which in the playoffs proved to be a major waste of Knicks' time.  So, why bother ...

Elfrid Payton posted five or more assists this season 13 times in 63 games.  Six of those episodes occurred within his first ten games of the season.  Since then, just seven times.  His best stretch of the season started on Dec. 27 against the Bucks, in which he scored 27 points with seven rebounds in 29 minutes and wound down by Jan. 10 with five assists against Denver.  Through the last nine regular-season games in May, Payton averaged just 1.8 assists in 15.1 minutes.  The Knicks simply need more in the playoffs, that is, against a singular opponent.

Me, you, everyone is expecting Julius Randle to improve his game.  Chalk this one up to an off-night.  

But what of RJ Barrett?  I hear sniveling in the background.  But I think he played a representative game for a 20-year old, with 14 points and eleven rebounds in 32 minutes.  Barrett, like Randle, only had two attempts from the free-throw line.  That must change.

So, no, all does not boil down to one failed defensive stop.

N.Y. Knicks: Back to Par With Blowout Over Pistons

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

SATURDAY

Knicks 125

Piston  81

FINAL

The Bockers' Largest Margin of Victory in Twenty-Four Years

Take about handling teams you're supposed to beat ...

The Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak and, more importantly, get themselves back to .500 with an overwhelming 44 point victory over the Detroit Pistons.

They caused 15 turnovers, including 12 steals and eleven blocks.  In turn, the Knicks outscored Detroit 16-7 on fast breakpoints, posted a plus-eleven in assists, and shot 19/39 (48.7%) from behind the arc.  The Pistons, who had just three players score in double-digits, were led by Jerami Grant with only 16 points.

Julius Randle turned his game around, leading the floor with 29 points in 30 minutes, and secured a team-high eight rebounds.  Reggie Bullock was next in with 6/10 from behind the arc en route to a 22 point game in 28 minutes.  Elfrid Payton scored eleven points and distributed a game-high nine assists.

Off the bench, Obi Toppin was 3/8 from the field for eight points in an extended 16 minutes, and Taj Gibson was a perfect 5/5 from the field and 1/1 from the line for eleven points and five rebounds in 21 minutes.  Immanuel Quickley added twelve points in 18 minutes - his most minutes in his last twelve games.

Team Thibodeau maintains their seventh standing by a half-game over the Celtics and two full games over the ninth-place Pacers.

On Monday, the Knicks and Nets square off at Barclays Center.

N.Y. Knicks: Julius Randle Part of NBA's Magnificent Seven

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

22-22 (.500)

Sixth Place

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Coach Thibs and the Time Bandits Turn Last Season Into a Distant Memory

Recent losses against the Sixers and Nets were just as meaningful as any of the Knicks' twenty-two victories to date.  That's how lively and competitive they've played under Coach Thibs.  

If you bet the over on the season's projected win total, then this is hitting the jackpot.  Lest we forget the Knicks last season finished with a 21-45 (.318) record.  On Tuesday, they achieved win number 22 of the season with 28 games still to play.  Defense is clearly leading the way.  The Knicks are the NBA's third stingiest team averaging 105.3 points allowed per game.  However, they also own a +0.3 point differential, which at this moment cannot be said of two other top-eight Eastern Conference teams.

After a quiet return to action on Sunday, Mitchell Robinson was 7/9 from the floor and 2/2 from the line for 16 points in 31 minutes off the bench.  He tied for a game-high twelve rebounds and blocked three shots.  I suspect he and Nerlens Noel will switch roles shortly.  

Alec Burks was 6/12 from the field and a perfect 6/6 from the line for 20 points in 29 minutes and Immanuel Quickley scored 14 points in a brief albeit efficient twelve minutes, both also off the bench.

Timing well with Mitch Robinson's return, Elfrid Payton was also back in action.  He slashed for seven points, five rebounds, four assists, with three steals and a plus-twelve in 21 minutes.  

Meanwhile, Derrick Rose remains out under COVID protocol - nine games and counting.

Otherwise, Coach Thibodeau in customary fashion made his starters earn their pay.  Julius Randle led the floor with 37 points on 13/24 from the field, 7/10 from behind the arc, and 4/5 from the line.  RJ Barrett was next in with 21 points and a team-high five assists in 39 minutes. 

Julius Randle is averaging 37.1 minutes per game, second only behind Brooklyn's James Harden who clocks in with a league-high 38.0 minutes per game.  Of the league's top thirty scorers, Julius Randle ranks #27 with 23.3 points per game but is one of only seven players in the top thirty averaging a double-double.  The other six are Joel Embiid, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, James Harden, Nikola Vucevic, and Karl-Anthony Towns.

It is said people are largely a product of the people they surround themselves with.  

Julius is keeping good company.

N.Y. Knicks Will Themselves to Winning Record at the Break

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

ALL-STAR BREAK

19-18 (.513)

5th Eastern Conference

Can't be disappointed with what you do not expect.  That's what makes Knickerbockers first-half so thrilling. 

There's no begrudging the Knicks for defeating the woeful Detroit Pistons.  What they have accomplished this first-half of the season is nothing short of impressive.  Coach Thibodeau's drive, tenacious defense, improved shooting, and overall team ball have all resulted in a stunning 19-18 record.

Thursday's game was another recent instance of the Knicks feeling the Midas touch, shooting 54.2% from the field versus 48.8% for the Pistons.  They otherwise dominated the boards and outscored Detroit 66-38 in the paint.

All-Star and MVP candidate Julius Randle leads the floor with a game-high 27 points, 16 rebounds (seven assists), and 42 minutes.  All five starters scored in double-digit.  Continuing to play monster minutes, Nerlens Noel also posts a double-double with 12 points and eleven rebounds in likewise 42 minutes.  RJ Barrett was second on the team with 21 points on 9/13 and 2/2 from the line.  Elfrid Payton's 20 points gave the Knicks three players with at least 20 points in a return to action.

Frank Ntilikina was a perfect 3/3 from behind the arc for nine points in 13 minutes off the bench.  Immanuel Quickley was 0/4 from three-range in 13 minutes, while Obi Toppin scored just four points in twelve minutes.

The Knicks own a respectable 7-12 record against each conference's current top teams and a 12-6 against all others, including an 11-7 record at home.  The NBA's stingiest defense yields almost two full points less per game than the Lakers.  However, they enter the midway break tied with Cleveland for the least points scored per game.

N.Y. Knicks: Team Thibs Throttle Up Rockets at The Garden

From the desk: KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

Seventh in Eastern Conference

SATURDAY

Rockets     99

Knicks     121

FINAL

Extreme Team was at it again.  On Saturday, the stingiest team in the league limited the Rockets to under 100 points, marking the ninth time in 28 games they've held their opponents to the century mark or less.  

With a 22 point victory over visiting Houston, the NBA's most scoring challenged team is also back to being just two games under par.  The Knicks last touched .500 back on Jan. 21 with a win over Golden State to even out with an 8-8 record.

The Knicks had the Midas touch on this night, shooting 45/86 (52.3%) from the field, including 12/28 (42.9%) from behind the arc.  Despite getting slightly outrebounded, they outscored Houston 60-44 in the paint.

Ten other Hoston Rockets could not match the production put forth by John Wall and Eric Gordon.  Both joined to lead the floor in points with 26 points and 24 points, respectively.  Three other starters and seven players off the bench capped out 49 total points.

With Mitchell Robinson out with a hand fracture, Nerlens Noel was a serviceable 5/6 from the floor for ten points with six rebounds and two blocks in 32 minutes.  Julius Randle once again led the Knicks with 22 points and nine rebounds in 33 minutes, and Elfrid Payton was 7/11 for 15 points in 22 minutes.   

Rookie Emmanuel Quickley exceeds twenty points for the fifth time this season and the first time in February.  He matches Julius Randle with 22 points on 7/9 from the floor and 4/4 from the line in just 21 minutes off the bench.  Fellow rookie Obi Toppin scored in double-digits for only the second time this season, posting eleven points in fifteen minutes.  Meanwhile, Coach Thibs has the reinforcement he's needed.  In his third game with the Knicks, Derrick Rose scores 16 points by drawing fouls and shooting 5/11 from the field in 23 minutes also off the bench.

N.Y. Knicks: Utah Jazz Happy To Get Out of Town

From the desk: KICKIN' CAN UP 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

JAZZ        100

KNICKS   110

FINAL

JAZZ GET DISTORTED IN SOUNDS OF NEW YORK CITY

A night after being tenderized and marinated by the Nets in Brooklyn, the Knicks put the Jazz to the grill with a ten-point margin of victory at Madison Square Garden.

 

The Knicks through eight games have now faced five of last season's playoff contenders and achieved victory in three, making them 5-3 in this very young season. 

They're presently the NBA's sixth stingiest team, yielding 105.1 points per game.  Wednesday against the Jazz marks the third time in eight games they've held their opponent to 100 points or less.  In fact, their opponent's collective 43.3% field goal average ranks third-worst in the league.  Which is to say, Coach Thibodeau has his guys contesting everything.

In Tom Thibodeau's economy, the currency of effort continues earning minutes.  He again sticks with a tight eight-man rotation, but his starters averaged 37.2 minutes, their second-highest mark through eight games.  Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Elfrid Payton each put in at least forty minutes.  Look no further than the Knicks twelve-point deficit at halftime.  The Knicks pressed by Thibodeau not only overcome their double-digit deficit but go on to snatch away victory by double-digits.  Austin Rivers leads the bench effort shooting 9/14, including 5/7 from the arc for 23 points in 32 minutes.

Despite shooting 0/5 from long range, Julius Randle was 10/26 from the field and 10/12 from the line for a game-high thirty points as well as a game-high 16 rebounds with seven assists to boot.  The Knicks continue getting price worthy performances from him.

N.Y. Knicks: Coach Thibodeau's Time Bandits

From the desk: KICKIN' CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

KNICKS STARTERS 

AVERAGING 33 MINUTES PER GAME

🏀      🕰      🏀

Coach Thibodeau Time Stamping Team Effort at the Door

Six games into the season, the Knicks perhaps have already won two more contests than many anticipated.  First and foremost was their bedazzling twenty-point victory over Milwaukee.  They promptly followed up with a nine-point victory at Cleveland, and then Saturday's defensively contested win at Indiana.  A defeat at the hands of Toronto makes them 3-1 in their last four games.

The Knicks, on average, have thus far allowed 104.7 points per game, ranking them fifth-best in the league.

Hello Coach Tom Thibodeau!

If you're a starter for the Knicks, Coach is taking away the minutes that make up a dull day in an old-fashioned way (... Pink Floyd).  Said another way, he makes you work hard, and it appears as if he has the full attention of his largely young and impressionable personnel.

I'll make opening night a stand-alone game, only because it was the first game, and no one really knew what to expect - not from Thibodeau, but from this roster.  However, six games in, we have a trend to speak of.  

During game one against Indiana, seven different players registered at least twenty minutes; the starters clocked in an average of 27.6 minutes.  After the first game, what's there to say..?

During game two versus PHILA, six different players played at least twenty minutes; the starters averaged 28.4 minutes.  However, whereas Elfrid Payton started, he only played eighteen minutes.  Carrying the load off the bench were Kevin Knox II with 29 minutes and Alec Burks with 31 minutes.

Coach Thibodeau switched up and started Reggie Bullock against Milwaukee but limited him to seventeen minutes.  Similarly, six different players partake in at least twenty minutes, with two coming off the bench; Knox registered 26 minutes and Burks 21 minutes.  The five starters this time average 31.2 minutes.

Thibodeau revved things up in their victory at Cleveland, playing his five starters an average of 38.4 minutes without a single bench player achieving twenty minutes.  Coach stuck with a tight eight-man rotation with Knox, Frank Ntilikina, and Nerlens Noel, receiving sixteen minutes each.

Coach then eased up on the gas pedal against Toronto.  Seven players got at least twenty minutes, but the starting five still averaged 32.2 minutes.

SATURDAY

KNICKS   106

PACERS   102

FINAL

Saturday in their return match against the Pacers, Coach stuck with a nine-man rotation.  Elfrid Payton started and scored 19 points with five assists in 34 effective minutes.  The starting five averaged 35 minutes, but center Mitchell Robinson just missed the mark with 29 minutes.  Otherwise, the four-man bench averaged 16 minutes.

Cycling back, I am omitting game one just because ...

Under Coach Thibodeau, Knicks' starters over the last five games average 33 minutes per game and play top tier defense.  They have now played Indiana twice.  Therefore, to date, four of the Knicks' five opponents last season all qualified for the playoffs, with the lone exception being Cleveland.

With another coach in place, this team is not playing .500 basketball.  Inclusive in Tom Thibodeau and Scott Perry's job descriptions are making the recent past (twenty years) a non-issue.  Thibodeau is already garnering results.  The onus now falls on general manager Scott Perry to procure for this coach some more complimentary talent by the March trade deadline.  Nothing crazy, just someone to help share the load.  That Thibodeau is a demanding dude.

• NEXT: @ Atlanta Hawks, Monday