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 Upend Defending Champs at Milwaukee

From the desk: KICKIN' CAN DOWN 33rd STREET WIT' JIMMY

FRIDAY

Knicks   113

BUCKS    98

FINAL

After Woeful First Quarter, Coach Thibs Takes Knicks By The Antlers

Okay, the Buck were without Kris Middleton and Brook Lopez.  But that in no way should diminish what the Knicks accomplished Friday at Milwaukee against the NBA's defending champs.  

Without further adieu, I credit this particular victory to Coach Thibodeau.  After consecutive losses against Toronto and Indiana, the Knicks found themselves down 38-19 after the first quarter.  That's when Coach drew a line in the sand and assigned his three most trusted Knicks to protect it.

Despite missing the aforementioned players, Milwaukee still had four players score in double-digits, while the Knick had three.  But Milwaukee's quarter by quarter offensive depletion tells the story.  The Knicks held the Bucks to 25 points in the second quarter, thus cutting their deficit to seven.  Afterwhich, they held Milwaukee to 20 points in the third quarter, then a mere 15 points in the final session.  Even with 38 points in the first quarter, the Knicks still prevented the Bucks from exceeding 100 points for the game.  All the while executing a methodical comeback in handing the defending champs a decisive 113-98 margin of defeat at Milwaukee.

Rebounding was no doubt a key factor.  The Bockers outrebounded the Bucks by a glass breaking 59-37 margin.  Second chance opportunities likewise favored the Knicks, who secured 20 offensive rebounds, whereas the Bucks only grabbed seven.

Although the Knicks were a mere 10/40 from behind the arc, they made up for it with a plus-five from the free-throw line and converted eight more made field goals in 14 more attempts.

Julius Randle led the floor with 22 attempts and a game-high 32 points in 33 minutes and notched a double-double with 12 rebounds.  

RJ Barrett was the only other starter in double-digits.  He finished 8/21 from the field and 2/2 from the line for 20 points; it's his fifth consecutive game of 20 points or more.

Afterwhich, Coach Thibodeau turned to his old reliable, Derrick Rose, who was the only other Knick to receive 30 minutes, and in turn rewarded his coach with 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals off the bench.  Nerlens Noel was also a factor off the bench with six points and a game-high 13 rebounds in 24 minutes.

The rest was Coach Thibodeau mixing and matching and substituting bodies like chess pieces while Milwaukee head coach Mike Budenholzer was busy playing checkers.

Put this one in the affirmation column, like the victories against Chicago and Philly.

N.Y. Knicks: RJ Barrett Marches Through New Orleans

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

SATURDAY

Knicks        123

PELICANS  117

FINAL

RJ Barrett Scores Career-High 35 Points

Last season the Knicks ranked twelfth in conference scoring with 107 points per game.  With two key off-season acquisitions and newfound consistency from beyond the arc, they've not only alleviated some of the scoring burdens off the shoulders of Julius Randle, but they're presently averaging 117 points through the first six games of this still-young season.

• Defensively, the Knicks last season allowed 104.7 ppg; through six games, that number presently sits at 109.8 ppg.

RJ Barrett, drafted by the Knicks with the third overall pick of the 2019 draft, is slowly but surely becoming a star under Tom Thibodeau.  It's not absurd to imagine Thibodeau building a relationship with Barrett similar to the one he enjoyed in Chicago (and still enjoys) with Derrick Rose.

Entering his third season, the 21-year old led the Knicks at New Orleans with a career-high 35 points, including 6/8 from three, and a team-high eight rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.  Barrett scored 25 points in the second half, of which 16 came in the fourth quarter.  Saturday marked his second consecutive 20+ point game.

Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker finished with 19 points each.  With RJ Barrett, the three joined in shooting 15/23 (65.2%) from beyond the arc for 45 points.  As the only three with double-digit attempts, they collectively shot 24/43 (55.8%) from the field for 73 of the Knicks' 123 total points.

Julius Randle was 4/9 from the field for ten points with six rebounds and four assists in a game-high 38 minutes.  It's the first time he has attempted less than ten field goals this season and the fourth consecutive game of decreased shot attempts.  After 24 attempts against the Magic, he has since tried 18, 11, and nine shots, respectively.

The Knicks were minus-five in rebounds and minus-eight in assists.  But despite eleven more field goal attempts by the Pelicans, the Knicks finished 19/33 (57.6%) from three-point range to compensate for their 81 possessions.

Taj Gibson scored 13 points in 21 minutes, and Alec Burks added ten in 13 minutes off the bench.

With their fifth win in six games, the Knicks join a crowded mountain top with the Wizards, Bulls, and Heat.  They have already chalked up victories against Washington and Chicago but have yet to play Miami.

N.Y. Knicks: Charged Up Garden Revels in Opening Night O.T. Victory Over Celtics

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

WEDNESDAY

CELTICS   134

KNICKS    138

FINAL/OT

Knicks Hustle "Four" Love of the Game

The new-look Knicks won their home opener before an uproarious Wednesday night crowd at Madison Square Garden.  This wasn't the Larry Bird Celtics, but the intensity in the building was no less palpable.

Boston's Jaylen Brown dropped a game-high 46 points, and Jayson Tatum scored another 20 points.  However, Julius Randle poured in a team-high 36 points, and newcomer Evan Fournier finished with 32 points, edge Knicks.

After being limited to 31 games last season, Mitchell Robinson tipped the scales with eleven points and a game-high 17 rebounds.  R.J. Barrett was third in with 19 points, and rounding out the starting lineup, fellow newcomer Kemba Walker scored ten points with three assists and eight rebounds in 36 minutes.

Coach Thibodeau's bench outscored Boston's by a 31-22 margin, with Obi Toppin leading the charge with 14 points and five rebounds in 28 minutes.

The Knicks trailed by four at the half, then seized an 86-82 lead after three.  But Boston wiped that out with 34 points in the fourth quarter.  The Bockers then edged out the Celtics 22-18 in overtime to complete an ongoing 138-134 four-point shuffle.

N.Y. Knicks: Game Three Exposed Coach Thibodeau's Dilemma at the Point

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

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

PLAYOFFS: ROUND ONE

GAME FOUR
Knicks

vs.

Celtics

A Rose By Any Other Role Is Still Not a Rose

And herein, we see Coach Thibodeau's dilemma...

If you start Derrick Rose, the bench has no real sustenance.  With Rose in the starting role, the bench contributed 40 points (or 42.5% of the Knicks scoring).  Nerlens Noel led a four-man effort with twelve points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes.  Alec Burks led with 23 minutes.  Otherwise, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickly contributed four points each in 13 and 15 minutes, respectively.

Derrick Rose led the floor with a game-high 30 points and five assists and tied for game-high with 39 minutes.  That's not optimal utilization of Derrick Rose.  He led all players with a minus-16, which is contrary to when he plays off the bench and usually leads the team in plus/minus.  This being said, Elfrid Payton did not play.  Coach Thibodeau would love it if Elfrid Payton of Dec-Feb can find his way back onto the floor.  Game Three proved beyond a doubt the Knicks need this.

In his first post-season, Julius Randle continues to struggle.  After averaging 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and a league-high 37.6 minutes during the regular season, Julius averaged just 14.6 points in 35.6 minutes through three games against the Hawks.

The Knicks lost by eleven and were held under 100 points for the first time since their May 11th overtime loss against the Lakers.  RJ Barrett is averaging just 13.6 points per game, and in Game Three was limited to just seven points.  In May, Barrett eclipsed twenty points in a game four times while averaging 17.1 points over the final nine regular-season games.

Scoring just 13 points and getting outscored by 16 points in the second quarter proved devastating.  The difference in the final score speaks for itself.  Atlanta also penetrated and exposed the Knicks' interior, outscoring New York 44-30 in the paint.

There's an argument that the Knicks could and should be up 2-1 in this series.  Game Four will go a long way towards supporting that theory or not.

N.Y. Knicks: Another Strong Second Half Effort This Time Secures Victory in Game Two

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

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

PLAYOFFS: ROUND ONE

Game Two

Hawks    92

KNICKS  101

FINAL

Second Half Defense Grounds Hawks

We saw this before: the Knicks get off to another slow start.  Although, I was in the car at the time listening to the radio.  

In the first quarter of game one, they were outscored by eight; Wednesday, they get outscored in the first, this time by seven.  But whereas the Knicks trailed by two at the half of game one, this time they walk off to the locker room down by a concerning 13 points.  

I'm sure Tom Thibodeau had a few choice words for his squad.  Because in the second half, the Knicks held Atlanta to 18 points in the third quarter and just 17 points in the fourth, or said another way, just 35 points in the second half.  Meanwhile, the Knicks score 32 points in a big third quarter and followed up with 25 points in the final session en route to a 57-35 second-half advantage and a much-needed nine-point margin of victory. 

Nerlens Noel was back on the floor and helped the Knicks outrebound the Hawks by a handsome 54-41 difference.  The Knicks also outscored Atlanta 42-28 in the paint.

Trae Young again leads the floor with 30 points in 35 minutes.  Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic, the two you would expect, led all shooters with 20 and 21 attempts, respectively.

Meanwhile, Tom Thibodeau once again throws some crumbs Elfrid Payton's way; five minutes.  While that's still worth pondering, Derrick Rose clocks in with a team-high 39 minutes off the bench, in which he leads the Knicks with both 21 shot attempts and 26 points.  This is also to say Julius Randle did not lead the Knicks in attempts as is his custom.  Lest we forget, one has playoffs experience, and the other does not.  Overall, the bench contributes 55 points thus accounting for 54.4% of the Knicks scoring.  Obi Toppin was both effective and opportunistic, with eight points in twelve minutes.

Julius Randle was an improved performer over game one.  His game numbers betray him.  Let's call him clutch, then.  Randle finishes with 15 points and twelve rebounds in 35 minutes.  His drive the lane floater with 1:13 left in the fourth put the Knicks safely ahead by a 100-91 margin.  

Reggie Bullock added 14 points, and RJ Barrett chipped in with 13 points in 26 minutes.  Alec Burks' scoring line also betrays him, eleven points in 30 minutes, but unlike the Hawks, he provided an extra measure of scoring depth off the bench.

Despite another precarious start, the Knicks finish strong again.  The challenge now is to get the first quarter under control because they've demonstrated in two consecutive games against the Hawks they come on strong in the second half.

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: Nine is Just Fine

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

Saturday Afternoon Live!

Knicks defeat Raptors; 2-1

I - TOR 100; NYK 83

II - NYK 102; TOR 96

Raptors 103

Knicks  120

FINAL

OLD SCHOOL IS IN THE HOUSE!

It goes without saying the Knicks are far exceeding pre-season expectations.  In fact, outside of Tom Thibodeau's arrival, there were no expectations, making what they're accomplishing a pure delight.

Only eight teams presently have more victories than the Knicks, who are now seven games above .500 and winners of nine in a row.  If that isn't enough, only five teams have more home wins than the Knicks. 

While the excitement level is being compared to eight years ago and winning the Atlantic Division title, this season brings me back to 1983-1984 when coach Hubie Brown demanded defensive effort from Bernard King and a similarly populated roster.  That team finished the season at 47-35 (.573), but after 61 games, they owned a 36-25 record, just two games ahead of the Knicks' present pace.  

At 27-years of age, Bernard King led the Knicks with 26.3 points per game, and Bill Cartwright was number two with 17.0 points per game.  Today, 26-year old Julius Randle leads the Knicks with 24.0 points per game, followed by RJ Barrett averaging 17.6 points per game.

That Knicks team upset the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons in the first round of playoffs, then pushed Larry Bird and Team Green to a game seven in round two.

What this team is capable of accomplishing remains to be seen.

While Julius Randle continues flourishing in the limelight, Derrick Rose remains the underlying force quietly fueling these Knicks.  The former league MVP on Saturday led the floor with a plus-26 in 33 minutes off the bench.  He was an efficient 7/10 from the field and 5/6 from the line for 19 points and a team-high seven assists and two steals.

Nine 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.  Last Wednesday, he calmly helped gear up his mates for yet another extra session victory over Atlanta finishing with 20 points and a plus-14 in 30 minutes off the bench.  Over his last four games, Derrick is averaging 19.7 points and five assists in 30.7 minutes.

Julius Randle led all scorers with 31 points in 39 minutes.  With ten defensive rebounds, he notched his 36th double-double.  In fact, Julius is one of only 14 NBA players averaging a double-double for the season.  He is averaging 24.0 points for the season but is averaging 27.3 points in April and 30.1 points during this nine-game win streak.

RJ Barrett was plus-23 in 38 minutes.  He was an efficient 8/16 from the field and 6/7 from the line for 25 points.  It marks the sixth time in 13 games this month that he's topped 20 points.  Barrett also secured a season-high twelve rebounds for his first double-double since Mar. 25 against Washington.  It's his fifth double-double of the season and the sixth time he's secured double-digit rebounds.

Together, Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson are not the equals of Bill Cartwright, but they nonetheless joined for ten points and ten rebounds at the center.

For the moment, the NBA stingiest defensive team owns the fourth place in the Eastern Conference all to themselves.  It's just such a shame packed houses at the church of DEE-FENSE aren't being allowed to witness and enjoy this.

• Next up: Phoenix Suns on Monday.

N.Y. Knicks: Striving and Driving to Fifth Straight Win

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

FRIDAY

Knicks        117

Mavericks  109

FINAL

Thibodeau's Time Bandits Corral Dallas Mavericks

Don't look now, but the Knicks are winners of a season-high five in a row.  In fact, it's their longest such streak in seven years.  The Knicks have also climbed three games above .500 for the first time this season and finish the night sixth in the Eastern Conference, a mere half-game behind Boston and 1.5 games ahead of the Miami Heat.

Julius Randle matched his season-high with 44 points; he previously scored 44 points back in mid-February against the Atlanta Hawks.  This marks the eighth time this season he's scored 30 points or more, three of which have come consecutively over the last three games.  The Knicks own a 6-3 record through nine games in April, with Julius Randle averaging 26 points per game.  Against the Mavs, Julius attempted a game-high 29 shots, converting 16 times, including 6/11 from behind the arc and 6/9 from the stripe, along with ten rebounds and seven assists in 41 minutes.  It was his 32nd double-double in 56 games played this season.

RJ Barrett was the second of three Knicks starters to exceed 40 minutes on the floor.  Reggie Bullock was the third.  Barrett scored 24 points with eight rebounds in a game-high 46 minutes, while Bullock struggled to score eleven points in 41 minutes.

Derrick Rose was the main component off the bench, adding 15 points in 25 minutes.  Taj Gibson was the only other bench player to receive significant minutes.

Playing against their former team, Kristaps Porzingis led the Mavericks with 23 points in 38 minutes, and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 16 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

The Knicks have 15 games remaining on their schedule.  They return home to host New Orleans on Sunday, which kicks off a six-game homestand.  After which, they go on the road for five games before wrapping up their final three regular-season games at Madison Square Garden.

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: 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: No Assistance Needed For The Stingy

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

MLK DAY at MSG

Magic     84

Knicks    91

FINAL

The New York Thibs remain among the top two stingiest teams in the league.  To date, they have yielded an average of 102.7 points through fifteen games.  Monday afternoon against the Orlando Magic marks the fifth time this season the Knicks held an opponent to 100 points or less.  On back-to-back nights they held the Celtics to just 75 points at Boston and then limited the Magic to 84 points on MLK Day at the Garden. 

Speaking of a back-to-back, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett both register double-doubles in each game.  Against the Celtics, Barrett goes for 19 points and 11 rebounds in a curtailed 29 minutes, then on Monday against Orlando scores 22 points with ten rebounds in 38 minutes.  It was Barrett's third double-double of the season.  Randle scored 20 points and secured 12 defensive rebounds against the Celtics then scored 21 with 17 rebounds against the Magic.

However, the worst scoring team in the NBA still is numb to the touch.  The Knicks were just 31/87 (35.6%) from the floor including 5/27 (18.5%) from afar and missed ten free throws (24/34) to boot.  The Knicks also registered a season-low 15 assists.

Rookie Obi Toppin saw nine minutes against Orlando, going 1/3 from the floor and 0/2 from the arc.  In 17 minutes against the Celtics, Toppin scored 12 points with five defensive rebounds.

 

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

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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

N.Y. Knicks: Julius Randle Rocks a Triple-Double at Cleveland

From the desk: DUTCH PANTS CAN'T JUMP

DEUCES WILD

Knicks      95

Cavaliers  85

FINAL

KNICKERBOCKERS EVEN RECORD (2-2) WITH SECOND STRAIGHT WIN

Don't look now, but Coach Thibodeau has the Knickerbockers at .500 with a 2-2 record.  After a disjointed start to the season against the Pacers and Sixers, the Knicks stormed back with a highly spirited 130-110 victory over the Eastern Conference power Milwaukee Bucks.  On Tuesday night, the Knicks kept their guard up against a step down in competition with a tight 95-85 defensively intensive win over Cleveland.

Julius Randle continues his stellar start, leading the floor with a game-high 28 points while leading all players with 44 minutes.  He was 9/16 (56%) from the field, a perfect 4/4 from the arc, and 6/10 from the line.  Randle secured a team-high dozen rebounds and distributed a game-high eleven assists.  This comes on the heels of his game-high 29 point and 14 rebound effort against the Greek Freak and the Milwaukee Bucks.  Through four games he is averaging 24.7 points in 37.7 minutes. 

Reggie Bullock led the Knicks with five buckets from the arc and finished with seventeen points overall.  R.J. Barrett was a quiet 4/15 from the field and 4/4 from the line for 12 points.  Mitch Robinson fell one point short of a double-double with ten rebounds.

All five Knicks starters exceeded at least 32 minutes each.  Coach Thobideau went with an eight-man rotation, handing Kevin Knox II, Frank Ntilikina, and Nerlens Noel sixteen minutes each off the bench.  The three were collectively 5/11 from the field, 3/5 from the arc, and 2/3 from the line for fifteen points with eleven rebounds.

Collin Sexton led the Cavs with twenty points, and Andre Drummond went double-double with seventeen and a game-high seventeen rebounds.

• NEXT: on to Tampa, Florida, to play the relocated Toronto Raptors on New Year's Eve.

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.