N.Y. Knicks: Bockers Slow Down Indiana's Pace

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

MONDAY

Pacers      84

KNICKS    96

FINAL

Coach Thibodeau Asks And He Receives

Talk about slamming the breaks on the Pacers ...

The Knicks entered Monday's action losers of three of their last four.  Despite a different mix of personnel, Coach Thibodeau still makes defense no less a point of contention. 

Last season the Knicks limited their opponents to a league-fewest of 104.7 points per game.  This season, the opposition has eclipsed 100 points in nine of the Knicks' first 14 games.  At present, they are allowing 109.2 points per game, the tenth most in the league and an increase over last season of 4.5 points per game. 

On Monday, the Knicks took heed and clamped down on the Indiana Pacers.  But not before Indiana took a one-point lead into the half and a 74-69 lead after three.  Afterwhich, the Knicks limited the Pacers to just ten points in the fourth quarter - one-three pointer, two points from midrange, and five points from the line.  Meanwhile, with 23 points in the final session, the Knicks overcame a five-point deficit and came away with an eight-point margin of victory.

Coming off the bench, Derrick Rose is still the backbone and effective MVP of this team.  He scored 14 points and tied for a game-high seven assists in 25 minutes.  Immanuel Quickley tied for a team-high 16 points, including 4/4 from behind the arc in 23 minutes, also off the bench. 

Julius Randle registered a workmanlike double-double with eleven points and a team-high eleven rebounds in 35 minutes.  

But here's the difference between this season and last.  Kemba Walker was 8/11 from the field for 16 points but finished with a minus-15, while Evan Fournier added seven points but posted a minus-10 in 24 minutes.  The Knicks bench averaged a +16, while Julius Randle and RJ Barrett finished -2 and -1, respectively.

 

N.Y. Knicks: Toronto Plants Flag at MSG

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

MONDAY

Raptors    113

KNICKS      94

FINAL

Toronto's Third Quarter is a Rap for Bockers

After Julius Randle's crowd-rising first quarter, the Knicks took a 57-53 lead into halftime.  But Toronto stormed ahead in the third with 38 points for a 101-79 advantage the Knicks could not recover.

Toronto's OG Anunoby scored 36 points in 41 minutes, and Gary Trent Jr. added 26 points in 43 minutes.  Both joined together for 62 (60%) of Toronto's 103 points.  Said another way, for roughly 90% of the game, the Knicks had no answer for either player.

RJ Barrett again led the Knicks with 27 points in 39 minutes, and Julius Randle added 22 points in 37 minutes for a combined 49 points.  Which is to say, they got outscored by Anunboy and Trent Jr. by 13 points.  Not coincidentally, 18 of Randle's 22 points came in the first quarter, leaving just four the rest of the way.  The Knicks lost by nine ...

• That's how you follow up a career game.  RJ Barrett has now eclipsed 20+ points in three consecutive games (28 ppg).

Knick starters were outscored 96-82 by Toronto's starting five.  Fresh off 19-points games at New Orleans, respectively, Kemba Walker topped out at 15 points in 28 minutes, and Evan Fournier added twelve points in 25 minutes. 

Toronto owned the edge in rebounding and did a slightly better job in ball distribution, but the Bockers bench outscored that of the Raptors by a 22-17 margin.

Off the bench, Derrick Rose was only 2/8 from the field, and Immanuel Quickley was just 1/7 from the field but 4/4 from the line for seven points.

N.Y. Knicks: Eight is Great

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

Midweek Thriller at the Garden

WEDNESDAY

Hawks   127

Knicks   137

FINAL/OT

Three Overtime Victories Highlight Eight Game Winning Streak

Julius Randle may be the shining star on this team, but Derrick Rose is the quiet captain since his arrival from Detroit.

Eight games ago, the Knicks took Memphis into overtime and won by four; Rose scored 19 points in 26 minutes.  Last Sunday, the Knicks took New Orleans into overtime and won by ten; Rose scored 23 points, his most since joining the Knicks.  On Wednesday, he calmly helped gear up his mates for yet another extra session. 

A two-point deficit at halftime was increased to seven points after three quarters.  But once Derrick Rose tied the game at 109-109 with 6:25 left in regulation, Julius Randle scored ten of his game-high 40 points in the remaining minutes of the fourth to send this game into overtime.  Once there, the Knicks outscored the Atlanta Hawks 15-5 for a ten-point margin of victory.

Julius Randle continues leading the league with 37.5 minutes per game.  Under Coach Thibs, he's been making the most of it.  With 10.4 rebounds and 23.9 points per game, Randle is one of just 14 NBA players averaging a double-double for the season.  He is presently averaging 27.0 points per game through twelve games in April.  Wednesday's effort was the second time in his last four games that Julius scored at least 40 points.

Derrick Rose absolutely helped facilitate the win with 20 points and a plus-14 in 30 minutes off the bench.  Immanuel Quickley also contributed 20 points in 30 minutes, but his game-high plus-29 proved the most imperative contribution of all.

Atlanta's Clint Capela led all players with 22 rebounds.  However, the Knicks outrebounded the Hawks 49-41, led by eleven from Randle and a team-high twelve from Nerlens Noel, who literally rendered blood for the cause.  

Team Thibs pulled this game out despite eleven fewer possessions.  Reggie Bullock added 18 points in 40 minutes, and RJ Barrett connected for 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 41 minutes.

The Knicks improved their record to 33-27 (.550) and move into fourth place, one half-game ahead of the Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings.  They remain the stingiest team in the league, allowing an average of 104.7 points per game, and their 20 home victories rank third-most in the conference.

And, yes, they are now winners of eight in a row!

N.Y. Knicks: Team Effort Outlasts Grizzlies in Overtime

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

FRIDAY

Grizzlies 129

Knicks    133

FINAL / OVERTIME

EXTRA: The Knicks Are Playing Meaningful Games in April

When you play as hard as the Knicks have this season, and it garners a small measure of success, so too do mild expectations start creeping into the equation.  Entering Friday's game losers of five of their last seven, the Knicks needed a win in order to keep from falling three games below par.  The lowest they've been this season is four games under the .500 mark.

Enter the Memphis Grizzlies, ranked eighth in the Western Conference.  Just the kind of team against which to prove a point.  It wasn't easy, as the contest went into overtime.  But with the stakes raised, the Knickerbockers ultimately prevailed to remain a topical item in the post-season conversation.

Although he only tied for third-most shot attempts and finished as the fourth leading scorer on the team, Julius Randle still posted a triple-double with 15 points, eleven assists, and ten rebounds.  Rather, his teammates on this night were prepared to carry the load.  RJ Barrett led the starters with 20 points in 34 minutes, and Immanuel Quickley matched him with 20 points in 31 minutes off the bench.  Derrick Rose and Alec Burks contributed 19 points apiece also off the bench.  

Memphis got off to an early twelve-point lead in the first quarter and still led by nine points at the half.  But the Knicks' effort in the second and fourth quarters would ultimately force overtime.  Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks each converted a pair of free throws in the closing seconds to seal it for the Knicks.

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: Down Goes Mitchell Robinson

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

MONDAY

HEAT

vs.

KNICKS

FROM

EIGHTH AVENUE GYM

THE HEAT IS BACK ON NERLENS NOEL

With Saturday's victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Knickerbockers have now won three straight games for the fifth time this season.  Can they finally breakthrough with a fourth consecutive victory when they play the Miami Heat Monday night at the Garden?  

Miami enters Sunday's action eighth in the Eastern Conference standings with a 24-22 record.  The Knicks record is just the opposite.  In fact, they are now two games over .500 for the first and only time since Jan. 6, when they improved to 5-3 with a surprise twelve-point victory over the Jazz.  They're 6-4 in their last ten and are one of six Eastern Conference teams with a plus point differential.  The number four Charlotte Hornets and the Heat cannot say the same.

Just as Derrick Rose returned to the lineup after a bout with COVID, the Knicks will again be going forth minus the services of center Mitchell Robinson, who recently returned from surgery for a fractured hand.  He is a formidable presence in Coach Thibodeau's defense.  Midway through the first quarter of Saturday's game against the Bucks, on a play in which he caused a Milwaukee turnover,  Mitchell Robinson suffered a bad landing and hobbled off the court with a potential fracture/break of his right foot.

Having to deal with Brook Lopez and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Nerlens Noel was called upon again to pick up the slack.  He scored six points, but more importantly, secured a game-high eleven rebounds (five offensive), with three blocks and two steals in 31 minutes.

Also playing minus all-star Julius Randle, the Knicks held Milwaukee under 100 points en route to a four-point road victory.  Alec Burks and RJ Barrett each scored 21 points apiece.  Burks led the team with a plus-13 in 41 minutes.  Barrett led with seven assists.  Immanuel Quickley scored 13 points in 26 minutes off the bench.

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.

Brooklyn Nets: The Hoops of Flatbush Defend Home Turf

From the desks: THE HOOPS OF FLATBUSH & KICKING CANS DOWN 33RD STREET WITH JIMMY

MONDAY

Knicks    112

Nets       117

FINAL

Top Spot in Conference Continues Eluding Flatbush

I - BKN 116; NYK 109

In a match-up pitting the NBA's 2nd most prolific offense versus the league's stingiest defense, Las Vegas set Brooklyn as 7.5 point favorites.  Forty-eight minutes later, the visiting Knicks proved better than the handicappers anticipated and damn near pulled off an upset.  

Knicks fans might argue they - Julius Randle, that is - got screwed by Kyrie Irving and the guys with whistles.  I didn't see it that way.  But a clearly upset Julius Randle would later storm off the court in a bit of a huff.  That's good; it will make the next encounter between teams that much more intriguing.  In any event, the Nets win by five, and if it's any consolation, the Knicks cover—an otherwise entertaining, tightly contested game to be enjoyed by all, sans the final score.

As if ...

Manhattan falls to 9-13 away from their island and sinks back to par with a 20-20 record.  They remain in the Conference mix at number seven.

The Nets are now winners of five in a row and 9-1 in their last ten games.  If you care to extend it further, they are winners of 13 of their last 14 games.  Brooklyn's problem is Philadelphia going 8-2 over their last ten.  The Nets remain hot on Philly's tail, but for some time now, they have been unable to break through that last half-game barrier.

Julius Randle finished the game with both a team-high 33 points and 12 rebounds in 41 minutes.  RJ Barrett contributed 23 points in 35 minutes, and Immanuel Quickley had 21 points in 34 minutes.

Brooklyn did a better job of ball distribution and well outscored the Knicks in the paint.  Kyrie Irving was an exceptional 13/18 from the field en route to a game-high 34 points.  James Harden went triple-double yet again, with 21 points, while leading the floor with 15 rebounds (all defensive) and 15 assists.  Jeff Green also had the Midas touch shooting 8/11 from the field, including 2/2 from behind the arc and 2/3 from the line for 20 points.

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: Look What the Bockers Did to the Pacers, Again

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

SATURDAY

Pacers  107

Knicks  110

FINAL

Bockers Outpace Indy; Climb To Fourth Spot in Eastern Conference Standings

Climb Back To Level Ground

17-17 (.500)

Almost all things in this game being equal, the Knicks grit and determination and Coach Thibs ultimately win out over the Pacers Saturday at the Garden.  

There's really no other way to explain it.  

The Pacers were plus-three in total possessions, plus-three in attempts from the line, a slim plus-one in assists, and plus-five in blocked shots.  They were also plus-ten points in the paint.  Meanwhile, the Knicks were a more proficient 49.4% from the field, including 50% from behind the arc, plus-six on fast-break points, a plus-three in rebounds, and plus-seven in steals.

Indiana starts the game on an 8-0 run, brought to a stop when Derrick Rose buries a pair of free throws to finally get the Knicks on the board.  Roughly 20 minutes later, Rose launches a three-attempt from 8th Avenue and hits to give the Knicks a one-point lead at the half to the great delight of the socially distanced crowd.

With a three-point lead, Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin open the fourth quarter together.  Toppin, however, would only see six minutes all game.  Quickley hits a three-pointer-and-one at 11:04, giving the Knicks a nine-point lead.  After relinquishing the lead, RJ Barrett's short-range jumper ties the game at 98-98, and his follow-up free throw puts the Knicks up by one with 3:32 left.  Julius Randle's three at 2:55 puts the Knicks up by four.  After a Nerlens Noel steal in the defensive end, Julius Randle draws a foul and sinks two free throws to the chants of MVP! MVP!, giving the Knicks a five-point lead.  At this point, Coach Thibs subs out Julius Randle for Frank Ntilikina, and the move pays off.  With a two-point lead, RJ Barrett misses a pair of free throws with just 0:14 seconds left.  On Indiana's ensuing possession Frank Ntilikina steals the ball and is fouled.  Frank then converts both attempts, and the Knicks hold on for a three-point margin of victory.

The hardest working man in Manhattan, Julius Randle, wins his one-on-one confrontation with Domantas Sabonis, who led the Pacers with 15 points, nine assists, and a team-high seven rebounds in 36 minutes.  The Knicks all-star answered with a game-high 28 points, with six assists and a game-high ten rebounds for his 22nd double-double through 34 games.  RJ Barrett was second in with 24 points on 8/17 from the field, including 4/6 from behind the arc.  Getting another start, Derrick Rose, who caused a decisive turnover in the closing moments of the game, contributed 17 points with a team-high eleven assists.

Immanuel Quickley was 3/4 from behind the arc and 1/1 from the line for ten points in just 13 minutes off the bench.  Alec Burks played 21 minutes off the bench with five points, two assists, and a steal.  

The Knicks improved to 2-1 against the Indiana Pacers, but more importantly, finally, reestablish par with a 17-17 record.  Moreover, they move into a tie with the Florida Raptors for fourth place in the Eastern Conference with just over a half-season left to play.

N.Y. Knicks: Offensive Surge Upends Sacramento Kings

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

This is Alec Burk's City, We're Just Living In It

THURSDAY

Kings  121

Knicks 140

FINAL

Bench Leads Revolt Over Kings

No need to get your vision checked.  You saw that right ...

The Knickerbockers score a season-high 140 points en route to a 19 point victory over the Sacramento Kings.  In possession once again of the Midas touch, the Knicks shot 58.6% from the field, including 52.8% from beyond the arc.  The Knicks also outrebounded the Kings by a margin of plus-nine.

Rookie Immanuel Quickley leads the Knicks with 25 points in just 20 minutes off the bench, shooting 5/10 from the floor and a perfect 12/12 from the line.  Also, off the bench, Alec Burk was next in with 24 points and 5/8 from three range in 25 minutes but exploded for 19 of those points in the fourth quarter.  Meanwhile, Frank Ntilikina returned to action for the first time since just before New Year's Day.  Frank scored seven points in only his fifth game of the season with two assists in 23 minutes.

Derrick Rose made his first start since rejoining the Knicks.  He scored 18 points and distributed a team-high seven assists.  Julius Randle, recently named to the all-star game, notches yet another double-double, with 21 points and a game-high 14 rebounds; it's his 21st double-double of the season.

The Knicks improved to 9-7 at home and once again close to within one game of achieving a .500 record.

N.Y. Knicks: Julius Randle Proving He's All-Star Caliber

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

President's Day

Hawks    112

Knicks    123

FINAL

The Knicks win their third game in a row and the fifth in their last seven.  Julius Randle leads the way with a season-high 44 points - his highest output since joining the team.  He and the Knicks benefited from the Midas touch.  Randle was 14/22 from the floor including 7/13 from behind the arc.  He also led the Knicks with nine rebounds and five assists.  Meanwhile, the Knicks were 50.6% from the field and exactly 50% from three.  RJ Barrett added 21 points in 33 minutes.  Off the bench, Immanuel Quickley was 4/8 from three and a perfect 4/4 from the line for 16 points.  Monday's win gives the Knicks a 7-6 record at home and a 14-15 record overall.

At 26-years old, Julius Randle is having his best season ever.  Through 29 games, his 23.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 36.7 minutes per game are all career highs.  He is shooting an amazing 40.6% from behind the arc and 50.1% from the field.  Monday's game marked the third time this season he exceeded thirty points in a game.

He is well-deserving of an All-Star selection.  The teams will be announced next week.

N.Y. Knicks: Surging Fourth

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

KNICKS   113

HAWKS   108

FINAL

Coach Thibodeau and the Time Bandits were at it again ...

Picking up where I left off, Monday's starting five averaged 34 minutes, but only because Julius Randall clocked in at 43 minutes and R.J. Barrett punched in at game-high 44 minutes.  Employing a tight eight-man rotation, Austin Rivers played 33 minutes off the bench.

Despite shooting 0 for 5 from the arc, Julius Randall led the Knicks with a team-high 28 points and a game-high 17 rebounds and nine assists in a five-point margin of victory over the Hawks at Atlanta.  Through seven games this season, Randall has scored 25 or more on four occasions.  The other big "timer" joined Randall in posting double-doubles.  Shooting a similar 1 for 5 from long range, RJ Barrett scored 26 points and secured eleven rebounds.  Immanuel Quickley was 4/7 from the field and 6/6 from the line for sixteen points in nineteen minutes off the bench.  

Kevin Knox II finished with six points but perhaps none more important than his three from the left corner at the third-quarter buzzer to cut the Knicks deficit to four.  

The Knicks then went on to outpace the Hawks 29-20 in the fourth quarter.  For the game, they outrebounded the Hawks by a margin of five, blocked six shots, and instigated nine steals.  

Ever since the season opener when they yielded 121 points against Indiana, the Knicks have since held opponents to 110 points or less in each of their last six games.  In fact, if you omit the opening game against the Pacers, the Knicks have yielded an average of just 102.5 points per game over their last six.

The Knicks are now 3-2 on the road and off to a 4-3 start in this young season.

• NEXT: Jazz at MSG on Wednesday

N.Y. Knicks: Outpaced at Indiana

From the desk: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

KNICKS OPENING NIGHT AT INDIANAPOLIS

Knicks   107

Pacers   121

FINAL

Installing Effective Leadership Is a Solid First Step Forward; On The Court, Not So Much

Outpaced, yes, but outplayed, not so much.  We won't see much of that under Thibs.  The Knicks took a 66-61 lead into halftime.  

Just let me begin the 2020-2021 regular season by saying you can't be disappointed with what you don't expect.  

That should be easy for Knicks fans, no?

Leon Rose has my respect.  As new President, he effectively wiped clean the mess left behind by Phil Jackson and Steve Mills.  I like it when executives act with conviction, and he did just that.  With one fell swoop, he cleared $40 million in salary-cap space much, in the same manner, Donnie Walsh once upon a time miraculously restored salary cap flexibility and order to the Knicks.  However, in each instance, the NBA's premium free agents demonstrated that playing for the New York Knicks is not a desired destination of choice. 

We all know who is to blame, so why go there.  The Knicks have money to spend.  But so do other teams.  Therefore, what matters most is reestablishing a positive and inviting atmosphere that the NBA's elite will find appealing and ultimately creating a new winning culture.  Lest we forget, this is not about playing in New York City; this is about playing for the Knicks.  So let us not make any mistake about it; the Knicks are starting anew, again.  Yes, the twenty-year-long rebuild continues.

However, things are looking up for a change.  If nothing else, the Knicks now have a legitimately competent chain of command.  General manager Scott Perry is finely qualified for the job and very well-spoken of around the league.  If Joe Dumars liked him, then he must be okay.  Otherwise, he has been associated with winning and procuring winning talent during his twenty-year career as an NBA executive.

Under Rose and Perry, the Knicks are perhaps in the best hands since Donnie Walsh was the general manager.  Enter Tom Thibodeau, who is no stranger to New York or the Knicks.  I believe there is actually no more perfect person for the job in the team's present state.  He is charged with a largely young, inexperienced, but moldable squad, albeit with the obligatory veterans on board to help guide the way.  Thibodeau, we know, emphasizes strong defense.  But where other coaches talk a good game, Coach Thibs actually wields enough sway to extract such effort from his players - or they just won't play; it's their choice.  No job is safe on this team, but they have the right coach in place if they want to learn and develop.  Thus, the Knicks with Perry and Rose, together with Thibodeau, seemingly have assembled what may prove to be their strongest triumvirate in quite some time.  

And so, I'm not interested in the off-season that was.  With this new hierarchy in place, what they accomplish together moving forward is what now matters most.  They have a few years of drafting ahead.  Expect another 25 to 30 win season.  But it's still rather refreshing commenting on this team under these circumstances instead of constantly hammering James Dolan about running this once-proud organization into the ground - so there, I just did it again.

🏀     🏀     🏀     🏀     🏀

RJ Barrett was a very efficient 11/15 from the field and 3/3 from the arc (1/2 from the line) for a team-high 26 points and five assists in 34 minutes.  Julius Randle scored 17 points in a team-high 35 minutes with a likewise team-best nine rebounds.  Alec Burke was second on the team with 22 points in 32 minutes off the bench.

The Knicks were outrebounded by the Pacers by a 50-40 margin.  Domantas Sabonis posted a game-leading double-double with 32 points and 13 rebounds.

Rookies Obie Toppin and Immanuel Quickley made their respective Knicks debut.  Toppin was 3/12 from the field, all from the arc, with three boards in 24 minutes.  Quickley, who left the game with a hip injury and did not return, was 1/3 from the field but 3/3 from the line for five points in 12 minutes.  

After averaging at least 20 minutes through his first three seasons, Frank Ntilikina was limited to just five minutes against the Pacers.  However, he did endure an Achillies issue in the pre-season.  In any event, he and the team are unlikely to reach an extension agreement, Coach Thib's lineup and strong scuttlebutt suggest he is likely to be traded. 

Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers this Saturday.