frank ntilikina

New York Knicks are getting exciting to watch again

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Under Mike Miller, the New York Knicks are worth watching again.  Well, for those die-hards, it’s always worth watching.  But under Miller, the team is looking exciting again.

Miller has the Knicks playing simple basketball.  He isn’t trying to do to much or have a complicated game plan.  Miller is simply having them “play”, take that how you may.  Whatever that means to you, it’s working.

The Knicks have a 3-win streak and have 6 wins under Miller.  Those 6 wins are more then the team had under former head coach David Fizdale this season.  Fizdale was out after going 4-18 to start the season and was 21-83 overall in a season and a half.  He had them switching like crazy which ultimately was the downfall of the defense.  It still isn’t polished under Miller but it’s substantially better.

The offense has picked up too.  The Knicks offensive efficiency greatly improved.  There’s more ball movement and actual offensive sets being run.  They also are utilizing the pick-and-roll more which opens up the floor for Mitchell Robinson to put on a show, like he did last game.

Their play has fans buzzing and, of course, overreacting.  However, overreacting isn’t a bad thing in this situation.  The overreaction is exciting because they Knicks are starting to show their potential.  It’s exciting to see the progression of Frank Ntilikina and Robinson.  RJ Barrett has been struggling, of recent, but there’s still glimpses of the excitement to the could bring to the franchise.

While they still aren’t a playoff caliber team, they are in striking distance, 5 games out.  We also aren’t sure if this is the beginning of a turn around, it’s too soon to call it that.  What we do know is it’s exciting to be able to be excited for Knicks games, even if it’s for a short period of time.

New York Knicks start this decade off with a great team win

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks are officially undefeated this decade.  The Knicks spoiled the return of one of the teams greatest players, Carmelo Anthony, with a 117-93 victory over the Portland Trailblazers.

Anthony had his fair share of historic nights in the Garden.  His amazing performance against the Boston Celtics on Christmas day.  Scoring the most points in single game in Knicks history, 62, against the then Charlotte Bobcats, the list goes on.  However, it was someone else’s turn to have the Garden lights all on them.  Mitchell Robinson went 11-11 from the floor, tying the franchise record without a miss.  He went off and shows why he is a major piece for the future.

This victory was a statement win for the Knicks coming into 2020.  They’ve had their struggles to begin the season with their play, front office, coaching etc.  But this win the Knicks give the fans hope that they can turn their season around.

Making the playoffs seems to still be out of reach despite only being 5 games from the 8th seed.  But the team has been playing well under interim coach Mike Miller, who has more wins, 6, then former coach David Fizdale to begin this season, 4.

There’s something to be said about how the players are responding to Miller and his coaching.  The team appears to be playing more like a team and utilizing the pick-and-roll, which is what they should be doing.  It was clear that it worked last night as it was the Mitchell Robinson show.

It seemed like every possession was a pick-and-roll leading to a monstrous alley-oop.  Not only was Robinson slamming it home but Frank Ntilikina had his moment too.  He had a dunk that got the crowded into the game even more and when he shows emotion,  you know things are going well.

It continues to go well for the Knicks and Julius Randle as he is finally starting to play up to his potential.  He recorded back-to-back double-doubles in this 3-game win streak.  Staying away from isolation basketball has bee the key to his recent progression.

The New York Knicks started off 2020 with a bang.  They defeated a team that is contending for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.  Why they make not make the playoffs, showing progression as a team for the future may be better than a playoff berth.

The New York Knicks prevail in battle of the league’s worst

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New York Knicks, Marcus Morris

The next stop on the New York Knicks West Coast trip was at Golden State.  Despite the Knicks coming off multiple embarrassing loses in a row, they ended their 10-game losing streak.

The Knicks took down the, now, worst team in the league in a overtime, 124-122.  The battle of the leagues worst had the Knicks on top and it was nice to finally get a win after that miserable stretch of losses.

Before the game ever started, Knicks fans on Twitter were debating if they should even watch the game.  The game being on the West Coast is tough to stay up for, especially the way the Knicks have been playing.  However, the die-hards stayed up to watch their team, as bad as they may be.

The only qualm fans will have with this victory is the Knicks blew a 21-point lead.  A victory feeling is finally something to be excited about even if it’s one game, but blowing a lead like that should never happen.

Anyway, the Knicks were carried by the brilliant shooting from Marcus Morris and RJ Barrett, both with double-doubles.  Barrett was the guy to lean on in the first half then it was Morris in the second half.  Morris ended up with 36 points on 10-18 from the field with 5-9 from downtown and 10 boards.  Barrett played 46 minutes and had 22 points on 8-16 shooting, 3-5 beyond the arc and 10 boards.  He finally came out of his shooting slump after struggling to find his rhythm.

Julius Randle also had a double-double of 24 points on 7-16 shooting, 3-4 from downtown surprisingly and 13 boards.  He still won’t stop playing isolation basketball which is the most frustrating thing in the world.  But overall, he played well hitting a huge .

The New York Knicks desperately needed this game for the team and interim coach Mike Miller.  A win would bring new energy to a team looking for something positive and a new identity.

The New York Knicks looked like a different team.  They were upbeat and able to push the ball in transition better then they have in several games.  Mainly because of Barrett and Elfrid Payton pushing the pace.  There was also more communication then in games past which was lacking under David Fizdale.

The Knicks continue their West Coast in Sacramento on Friday.  A winnable game but every game for this team is a battle.  If they are to play, like a team, like they did last night there may be hope for this struggling team after all.

The New York Knicks can be patient with young players only

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The New York Knicks are completely dysfunctional.  The only positive thing that they have going for them is their young players.  The Knicks have a lot of pieces that could put them in the correct spot for the future.

A franchise can’t be good unless they are patient with their players.  The Knicks have been patient with players in recent memory.  For instance, Frank Ntilikina, Mitchell Robinson, Kevin Knox.  And when they had him, Kristaps Porzingis.

Young players need time to develop.  In time, those players show some competence then a team can have a chance at free agents.  The Knicks were unable to do that last off-season but were able to keep their young assets.

Fans were upset over the Kristaps Porzingis and Frank Ntilikina selections at the time.  Porzingis blossomed into a superstar and Ntilikina is finally becoming a vital role player for the Knicks, after 3 years.  Recently, the Knicks drafted RJ Barrett.  He’s only 19-years-old and already showing signs that he could be a star for the Knicks down-the-line.

Despite all the turmoil with the front office and coaching, the Knicks are trying to build something.  Robinson, Barrett and Ntilikina continue to grow, on their way to being above-average players.  Kevin Knox continues to need more time but displayed glimpses of his progression over his rookie year, especially in shooting.

The New York Knicks will most likely have another top-5 draft pick next summer.  They’ll have another top pick to develop along with their other projects.  The Knicks will have a lot of young players that could be good, in time.  Patience with player development is needed now.

Also, the Knicks have a lot of veteran players that could be on the trading block.  Marcus Morris, Taj Gibson even Julius Randle.  Trade those players for younger assets and/or picks.  Randle most likely won’t be on the block but if they could get something positive for him, it should be discussed.

After some of the veteran guys are gone, the Knicks must only play the young players.  Then, they’ll have more then enough time to time to develop and get the experience to become something.  This season is rough and most likely next year will be too.  But, it’s something they Knicks have to do.

The future of the Knicks should consist of Barrett, Robinson, Ntilikina, Knox and the upcoming top-5 selection.

How the New York Knicks roster is constructed this season

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have talent on their roster.  However, David Fizdale needs to find a way to properly use it on the court because it has yet to be seen.  Fans have seen that the talent is there but the execution is not.

Their roster was something to get excited about this off-season.  With 10 new players, there is a good balance between young and veteran players.  But, each player likes to stick to what’s comfortable for them and shy away from the team aspect.

Here’s how the Knicks roster is constructed this season.

The Knicks don’t have an offensive scheme.  It’s all isolation, despite what anyone says.  The main culprits are Julius Randle, Marcus Morris and Allonzo Trier.  These three players always try to take the game into their own hands and away from the team.  Randle and Morris, especially, ruin the flow of the game, most of the time, trying to take their man one-on-one.

Randle tried to take Giannis Antetokounmpo one-on-one early in their last game and that didn’t go well.  That bully isolation isn’t going to work, this isn’t pick up.  Giannis came back taking Randle one-on-one and bullying him.

When it comes to playmakers, there’s a few.  Frank Ntilikina is the one stand outs when it comes to that.  He is always looking to make something happen on both sides of the floor.  Ntilikina is sort of one as sometimes he goes missing on the floor.  Elfrid Payton was one until he got hurt.  He likes to push the pace in transition but there hasn’t been much since his injury.  In time, RJ Barrett will be an even better playmaker as he remains aggressive and attacks the rim.  He and Ntilikina are the lone bright spots in the first 21 games.

Some would say that Randle and Morris could be playmakers.  But they try to do that too much and hurt the team more as compared to helping them.

The one thing the New York Knicks do have is a rim protector in Mitchell Robinson.  The only thing is he needs to stay out of foul trouble.  When Robinson can be consistent, he’ll be a problem.  Taj Gibson had a good stretch at setting the defensive tempo since being inserted into the starting lineup but he’s older and not as quick as he was.

Finally, the Knicks don’t have a go-to shooter.  Daymean Dotson and Kevin Know try to be shooters but you can’t rely on them.  Both are inconsistent, especially Knox, and Dotson needs more minutes.  Again, Randle and Morris try to be shooter but they do too much and turn into gunners when they think ‘they’re feeling it’.

The main thing is that there’s too much isolation.  The Knicks aren’t that good of a team to continuously try one-on-ones.  There needs to be more pick-n-rolls and ball movement because it has worked when they utilized it this season.  It all comes down to being consistent and finding their rhythm, which has yet to be found.

The New York Knicks problem is this man, not the ‘head huncho’

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The New York Knicks have a lot of problems surrounding the franchise.  Some will say it’s the coaching, the front office, personnel or owner.  It all depends on your view of the team.

A lot of fans will think that the Knicks owner is the problem.  Their argument is very valid.  Players won’t come because of him and how the organization is being run, not wrong.

However, when the New York Knicks parted ways from Phil Jackson in 2017, they forgot someone.  The Knicks should’ve ‘mutually parted’ ways with Steve Mills as well.

‘Cleaning house’ means everyone’s was getting the axe.  Not leave a few executives around just because they may be good friends with the owner.

Mills was suppose to be this ‘talent evaluator’ but that has yet to be seen.  Yes, he got lucky this summer by getting a hopeful future all-star in RJ Barrett.  The year before was Kevin Knox but he has been on the decline after a positive start to this season.  Truthfully, those picks may have been Scott Perry but Mills has the final say.

Since he returned to the Knicks in 2013, the Knicks have had 6 consecutive losing seasons and are on their way for their seventh.

Mills was the one that gave Tim Hardaway Jr. that horrendous contract, 4-year, 71 million to return to New York, after they got rid of him once.  And after he was another gunner for the Knicks, he was dealt in the Kristaps Porzingis trade.  Great singing.

He has had plenty of opportunities to prove himself that he is capable of turning a franchise around even before Jackson.  Mills has failed on that front.  The Knicks haven’t gotten better, in any aspect, they continue to get worse.  There are some pieces for their future like RJ Barrett, Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson.  Besides that, everyone is expendable.

Mills making basketball decisions hasn’t panned out since he returned.  He may be good on the business side but when it comes to making on-court decisions, he shouldn’t make the calls.  The Knicks owner fails to see that he is incapable of turning a team around.

The Knicks needs an entirely new front office if they want to turn this around in the next decade.  They really need to clean house and get rid of all the executives, and coach.  Anyone with ties to the team in the last 6, soon to be 7, seasons of losing needs to go, minus Perry.

Thanks to @knickantor for the inspiration. 

Didn’t think this New York Knicks season would be worse than the last

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The New York Knicks season is going like no fan thought it would.  The Knicks are 4-16 and have the second worst record in the entire league.

Coming into this season the Knicks were suppose to be a lot better than expected.  They have a good mix of youth and veteran players to make something happen in the East.  However, this season has been more painful than the last.

Last season the Knicks won 17 games.  This season they might even struggle to do that.

There’s so much wrong with this seasons team it’s a shame.  They do have a lot more talent this season but it’s a struggle to find their stride.  10 new players on the roster and the offensive scheme is none existent.  The Knicks don’t have one despite what David Fizdale and the players say.

However, there are times, mainly against good teams, where the Knicks look like a contending team.  They’ll go up double digits and make fans feel good.  But the real one’s know that the collapse is always lurking and you can’t get too excited.

The New York Knicks give fans hope that maybe this could be the turn around when they’re up 17 on the 76ers or 8 on the Celtics.  The Knicks then let their guard down or have a lineup change that ultimately ruins the flow of the game and the game is lost.

Tonight’s game won’t be any different.  Knicks twitter have optimism about the game against the Buck in Milwaukee.  The line is Bucks -17 and the Knicks are without their best defender Frank Ntilikina.  Not a good start to this contest.

The Knicks will do what they always do and get our hopes up then collapse.  Or maybe, they won’t give us hope and it’ll be a Bucks route from the tip.  That’s Knicks basketball the past two seasons.

Changing Randle can help make the New York Knicks less miserable

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New York Knicks, David Fizdale, Julius Randle

The New York Knicks made it obvious that head coach David Fizdale is on the hot seat.  Something has to change quickly if he wants to retain his job despite having 2 and a half years left on his contract.

For starters, Fizdale needs to figure out how to utilize Julius Randle the proper way.  Steve Mills and Scott Perry are not going to trade Randle so this is all on Fizdale.  If he can’t find out how to get the best out of him then Fizdale is gone.

However, firing the coach isn’t going to solve the problem.  It abut execution as well.

Randle is an above average starter.  He thrives in the pick and roll, not isolation.  He may think that iso is the way to go but it hasn’t been working thus far since the Knicks are nine games under .500.  Randle mentioned something about working more with the offense prior to the second Mavericks game.  Whatever that talk was, it lasted for one game.

Besides pick and rolls, Fizdale needs to have Randle attacking the basket off of cuts.  He’s big and quick enough to take his man then.  Backing on his opponent and going one-on-one isn’t working so it’s time for a change.  It’s up to Fizdale to get Randle and the Knicks going.

The New York Knicks roster is a lot better then what the team looked like last season.  The talent is there it’s on Fizdale to get the best out of his players and it begins with Randle.  If he is able to get Randle in check, others will follow.

Look at what Marcus Morris has done with Frank Ntilikina.  That new ‘fk it’ attitude Ntilikina has developed has raised his game, especially defensively.  Maybe the entire team should take on this ‘fk it’ attitude to make this losing season less miserable.

Is it almost time to root for a New York Knicks tank?

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New York Knicks

New York Knicks fans might be getting to their breaking point, if they haven’t already.  The Knicks are 4-13 and currently dead last in the Eastern Conference.

Any regular basketball team wouldn’t even begin to think about next year’s draft or tanking 17 games into the season, but the Knicks are.  After all the talk players did this off-season, their play hasn’t backed it up.  All the optimism the players and fans had for this season has quickly vanished.

Is it time to root for a tank?

Last season, the Knicks did their best to tank to Zion Williamson without saying they were actually tanking.  Look how that turned out.  However, RJ Barrett has been a great consolation prize and shows that he could be someone special.

Knicks players will say that they’re going to continue to battle and there will be no talk about a tank.  Coach David Fizdale addressed the tanking last season and should be ready for those questions again as the season is getting to that point already.

Wayne Ellington and Taj Gibson also spoke on trying to turn the season around.  Players will say all the necessary stuff to please the media but let’s be realistic.  This team seems like they get down on themselves too much.  The idea of ‘tanking’ will be in the back of some players mind.  It will definitely be in the minds of Knicks fans.

Yes, it’s way-too-early to talk about tanking.  But with the New York Knicks, it’s constantly brought up each season.  This feels like it was brought up extremely early as compared to last season.  The Knicks aren’t a team that can turn around despite what the players say.  They’re a team that will give fans a few exciting victories in front of the Garden faithful to appease them and that’s about it.  The way it’s looking currently, the Knicks might lose 60+ games again.

This is the Frank Ntilikina the New York Knicks have waited for

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks have waited since the 2017 draft to see this young man progress.  Frank Ntilikina has finally begun to take the leap to becoming an important part of the Knicks future.

Over the past few games, Ntilikina has begun to play differently.  Maybe it’s because of this new ‘f**k it’ attitude that he has?  That is what coach David Fizdale says is different about him.

Ntilikina isn’t looking or reading to much into what others might be saying about his game and just playing.  He has a ‘clear head’ which can be seen in his new approach to the game.  The Knicks have seen a progression in Ntilikina that can very well put him into the plans for the future.

The Knicks saw what could be during the FIBA World Cup with Ntilikina contributing valuable minutes.  He was excellent in defending and his offensive game took a tiny step forward.

Now, Ntilikina has taken that even further with his play.

It all began when the Knicks got their third win of the season against the Dallas Mavericks.  Ntilikina only played 18 minutes but they were crucial.  In the fourth quarter, Ntilikina keyed in on Luka Doncic defensively and had the Garden rocking.  He was driving on the floor and making timely steals in crunch time.

Since that huge defensive performance, Ntilikina has been playing substantially well for the Knicks.  His defense could be in the discussion to be called ‘elite’ and his offensive game is coming.

Ntilikina had, by far, his best shooting performance for the New York Knicks this last game.  He had 17 points on 6-8 from the field against the Sixers.  You can see a progression in his offensive game and his confidence.  But you can especially see it in this play here.  There was a different feeling to that play where you can tell that Ntilikina’s offensive game is greatly improving.

Despite only being 2-2 in the their last four games, the Knicks have greatly benefited from Ntilikina’s defense.  He is not in conversation, or even remotely close, for defensive player of the year but his name should be brought up for the third team, at least.  That could be a major stretch but he deserves some type of recognition.  Ntilikina set the tone for the Knicks defensively and they have responded.  Along with some help from Taj Gibson.

Hopefully, Ntilikina can continue to blossom with this new ‘f**k it’ attitude.  It seems to be working and it was what Knicks fans have been waiting for.  Ntilikina’s playing himself into a role with the Knicks for the foreseeable future.