Hawks: 100
Knicks: 96
Once again, I watch a Knicks game in hopes I see good ball movement, crisp passes, guys cutting, finding the open man. Our offense has no desire to find the advantage. Instead, Knicks and Fizdale seem content on leaning back onto the bad habit of ISO-ball bailing us out.
The defense was actually not that bad this game.
Couple Notes
David Fizdale: Worst starting lineup we could have possibly did tonight. Portis, Randle and Morris as our starting front court should never see another minute again this season. Still questionable X's and O's coach. Another night giving RJ another 40 minute game in preseason. Much like Knox last year, expect him to run RJ into the ground by January.
Frank Ntilikina: 1-4 2 Points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists. You'd almost have to be a basketball purist to appreciate what he does defensively. He ate Trae Youngs lunch quite a few times, altering his shot with his length, forcing him to pass out of a few easy buckets he was hitting earlier, adding a couple nice blocks to his night. He is an average defender with the ability to show glimpses of above average defending. I think right now he's at his floor. Offensively, he's still a complete black hole if you're looking for points. He moves the ball nice and tries to set someone up with a shot. Unfortunately, he plays in an offense that doesn't suit his style. He's not ISO Frank. He should be the starting PG. IMO
Dennis Smith JR:First game back after sitting out previously with a lower back injury. First observation? He's rusty. Picked up two quick fouls in the opening minutest that sent him to the bench. Not a great shooting night for him either. 1-5 for 4 points.
Julius Randle: So far his best night as a Knick. Aside from two step back jumpers (Yes, two..wtf), he finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks. His defense is still not worth talking about.
RJ Barrett: 4-14, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a block. It's going to be an up and down year in regards with his game to game efficiency. If Fizdale can tap into his inner-coaching and somehow teach RJ to reign it in a bit on nights he isn't feeling it, then he could be special this year. He's a plus playmaker, can bully his way into the paint, and actually finish. He did miss quite a few easy layups though. I'm chalking that up to youth. The flashes are there. You can see it. Even had a nice game defensively.
Kevin Knox: He looks like he's ready to be the first of our young guys to make the big jump this year. He looks much more fluid and confident. He moves the ball well, and stretches the floor. His shot looks good. He should be getting more minutes per game this season.
Last thoughts: This team is a 25-30 win team. They aren't well coached, or even coached it seems. I don't think Fizdale is the guy who can tap into and get the best out of every player. This team better find a way to keep it close, because we don't have the shooting to come back from double digits night in and night out. Speaking of keeping it close, I don't think we have one guy on our roster who I would trust to take the final shot.
DNP Coaches Decision for Payton, Dotson and Trier tonight.
3s down 2. Most exciting preseason game EVER
You can tell rj likes the spotlight, he wants the ball..
Smith had some bad momemnts but he finished with 9, 9 boards and 6 assists 2 assists and was +6..still a little rusty..
Randle is going to carry this team offensively you can tell he was holding back in the preseason a little bit trying to get everyone involved..
Players are going to have to learn jow to move when he posts up..
I’m optimistic about Knox’s potential, but having Gilgeous-Alexander would’ve solved a lot of issues.
Quote:
clear they need to draft a PG next year. Give me Nico Mannion.
I’m optimistic about Knox’s potential, but having Gilgeous-Alexander would’ve solved a lot of issues.
I'd trade Knox, Frank, DSJ for SGA but we'd get laughed out of the room.
@TommyBeer
·
13m
There were only seven players who averaged at least 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game in the preseason:
James Harden, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns,
And two Knicks:
RJ Barrett and Julius Randle
@TommyBeer
·
13m
There were only seven players who averaged at least 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists per game in the preseason:
James Harden, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Pascal Siakam, Karl-Anthony Towns,
And two Knicks:
RJ Barrett and Julius Randle
Do you know who also led the preseason in minutes per game?
RJ Barrett and Julius Randle.
I think Barrett is already the best *all-around* player on the team, in that he's got a really good sense for all phases of the game IMO. Obviously his outside shooting needs to improve for him to be as effective as possible.
Some other thoughts -
I think Frank is our best PG. May not be saying much, but Smith looks bad to me (lingering injury effect?) and Payton looks OK but Frank's better all-around IMO.
Mitch is a beast on D, but if we don't defend the 3-point shot better than last night it won't matter much.
Portis has crazy eyes like - who was it, Kurt Thomas? But he's not bad as a second team player.