frank ntilikina

A competitive loss for the New York Knicks was a positive

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The New York Knicks began their tough end of November schedule in Philadelphia.  To be honest, the Knicks were not suppose to be as competitive as they were last evening.  The Knicks fell to the Sixers 109-104 but they battled.

The Knicks kept it together aa team for the entire first half.  They were able to hold their own against one of the best overall teams in the Eastern Conference.  The Knicks did not back down from their opponent and took it to them, for the most part.

Usually, as all fans know, the Knicks have a big let down in the third quarter.  But not this night.  The Knicks came out on the second half like a team on fire.  There was energy on both sides of the ball and they were hitting all their shots.

A few weeks ago, it was the Bobby Portis game in the Garden.  Last night, it was the Taj Gibson and Frank Ntilikina game.  Ntilikina played by far the best game he’s ever played as a New York Knick.  He had 17 points on 6-8 shooting and had stellar defense throughout the game.  It was by far the best shooting performance of his young career and the confidence was oozing outta him.

Taj Gibson helped provide more great defense for the Knicks and was also everywhere on the court.  He also made Joel Embiid dance has he added 11 points on 5-6 shooting.  Gibson and Ntilikina’s defense also sparked the Knicks offense as they couldn’t miss in the 3rd, jumping out to a quick 17-point lead.  Despite the losses, Gibson is making the starting lineup more consistent.

However, as Knicks fans are always aware, a let down is constantly lingering.  Once coach David Fizdale subbed out Ntilikina late in the third, the Sixers went on their run.  The defense simply couldn’t keep up in transition and the Sixers were hitting every shot as compared to the Knicks, who weren’t.

The game was lost down the stretch, once again, by Julius Randle and Marcus Morris.  Those two are both good and bad for the Knicks.  They always want the ball in crunch time and take contested shots at the wrong time.  There were multiple occasions where Morris and Randle took bad shots when the ball needs to be moved for a better shot.

However, despite the loss, the New York Knicks needs to leave Philadelphia with their heads held high and remain positive.  That game was a positive step in the progression of this team.  The Knicks are still far from a playoff team but being competitive against a good, young Sixers team is good for the, also, young team.  If any loss was a good loss, this was it.  Knicks face the San Antonio Spurs this Saturday at 7:30 at the Garden.

New York Knicks fans enjoyed their most comfortable win of the season

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New York Knicks, Julius Randle

The New York Knicks aimed for revenge after getting blown out in the first meeting against the Cleveland Cavaliers.  The Knicks had their best shooting game of season, 44.9% from the field, stats didn’t reflect how well they shot.

Coming into the game, the Knicks had a leagues worst shooting percentage.  After the game, they’re now tied for the worst with 42.4%.  Baby steps.  The Knicks were still out shot in their 123-105 blowout win but a one shooting statistic put them over the edge.

The Knicks shot 77.1% from the free throw line as the Cavaliers shot 53.3%.  The Cavaliers made 11 less free throws than the Knicks.  Shooting 77.1% still isn’t the best but it helped carry the Knicks to victory.  Most came from Marcus Morris as he was 12-13 from the stripe.

Also the shooting from Julius Randle who ended with 30 points on 12-17 shooting, 3-5 from beyond the arc and 7 boards propelled the team.  This was his best shooting performance as a Knick.  Fans will usually cringe when Randle shoots but he was in the zone last night and you can last night was different.

The rest of the team followed Randle’s lead.  Even during the broadcast, Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier mentioned that the Knicks defense had some extra energy.  The Knicks had 8 steals, 10 blocks and only 7 turnovers.  Yes, you read that correctly, 7 turnovers.

The New York Knicks were hustling on both ends of the floor and their shooting was above-average all game despite what stats say.  Clyde, again, mentioned that the Knicks couldn’t stub their toe in the 3rd quarter, like they always do.  For once, they didn’t.

Their largest lead of the night was 27 points towards the end of the game and even Knicks twitter was comfortable saying the game was over.  This was the first game all season that fans and actually sit back and enjoy the game without having to worry about an impending collapse.  You know it’s enjoyable when you look at the stats for the starting 5 for the Knicks and all had a positive +/-.

The one Knicks player that has been playing very well for the team has been Taj Gibson.  His has been bringing veteran leadership to the starting lineup while providing solid defense.  Gibson has also been a beast on the offensive glass.  He quietly had 6 offensive rebounds and can hit the necessary mid-range when it comes to him.

Finally, RJ Barrett had 15 points on 5-13 shooting in only 24 minutes.  He had a slow start to the game but you can be sure that he’ll be able to contribute regardless.  Barrett remained aggressive and didn’t give up.  That’s how you know he can be special.

The Knicks now start a brutal stretch to end the month of November.  They began with their rival Sixers Wednesday night.  The team should be riding high after a comfortable win, lets hope they’re not poised for a huge let down game.

New York Knicks need a win tonight before brutal stretch

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New York Knicks, David Fizdale, Julius Randle

The New York Knicks desperately need a win tonight as they host the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Garden.  Their schedule for the rest of November is not in their favor.

The Knicks have 2 games against the Sixers then ones versus Spurs, Nets and Raptors.  They would be lucky if they were to get a victory in any of those games.  The Cavaliers game tonight could be the only other win they have in the month of November.

However, last time the Knicks hosted the Cavaliers, they had their doors blown off on their home court.  That game was coming off their 2nd victory against the Dallas Mavericks.  The Knicks are always good for a stinker of a game after a victory, that’s just who they are.

The Knicks should’ve had a victory Saturday against the Hornets but it appears that smaller guards are their kryptonite.  First it was Trae Young then De’Aaron Fox, Terry Rozier, Kemba Walker, Coby White, now Collin Sexton and Darius Garland again.

Sexton torched the Knicks for 31 points in their first meeting leaving the Garden no choice but to boo.  After that, the press conference happened where head coach David Fizdale was officially put on the hot seat.  He’s possibly one blowout lose away from looking for a new job.

Even if they were to get a win tonight, their schedule upcoming is so brutal a blowout lose is inevitable.

If Fizdale was able to get the team up for a game like he did for the Dallas Mavericks, the Knicks could be 4-9, trying to get their 5th win tonight.  However, the play of Julius Randle in Hornets game hurt the Knicks from doing that.

Fizdale needs to stick to ball movement and not so much isolation because that is how they got 2 victories against the Mavericks.  Their defense was above-average in those games then go away when they play a lesser opponent.

The defense needs to have a chip on their shoulder after the embarrassing performance last time the Cavaliers were in town.  Keying on their guards will be the main focal point for the Knicks are to get a win.  Adjustments need to be made quickly for Fizdale to remain employed.

New York Knicks: Ntilikina’s Confidence Blossoms Game by Game

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

New York Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina is looking like a version of himself we’ve never seen before. This version of Ntilikina is definitely the best version so far. The Drench natives handles are tighter and he’s confidently orchestrating the offense.

The defense is the calling card for Ntilikina and the defensive rating of the Knicks does improve whenever he’s on the basketball court giving the opposing point-guard fits. Whether it’s a chase-down block, pestering defense, or a steal, Frank Ntilikina definitely improves the Knicks on the defensive side.

According to an article by Greg Joyce of the New York Post, Frank Ntilikina told Fizdale the following,

“Coach, I’ve been through a lot in my two years and I feel like I finally understand what the NBA is about. I know I haven’t shown it yet, but I’m a dog, too.”

There are times when Ntilikina’s shot is off. However, the 21-year-old’s mindset is to aggressively yet smartly bring other facets of his game in order to positively help his team. RJ Barrett has that same mindset, however, Kevin Knox still hasn’t shown that kind of growth. Once Knox stop letting an off jumper affect the rest of his game, he’ll become a force to reckon with

Overall, Ntilikina receiving big minutes bodes well for his future with the New York Knicks and his belief level. He now knows he belongs in this league. Many looked and even second-year players let some doubt settle in. However, perseverance is crucial and Frank Ntilikina shows it. Foreign country, foreign league, yet Ntilikina has stuck with it, believed, now he’s starting for Fizdale and the Knicks.

New York Knicks sweep Mavs season series; should play them more often

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina

The former New York Knicks superstar Kristaps Porzingis made his anticipated return to the Garden last night.  The fans welcomed Porzingis back with a lot of trash talk, chants and boos all game.

Porzingis said that he “understands” why Knicks fans would be upset with him but that’s besides the fact anymore.  Moving on.  The Knicks won the final game of the 2 game series against the Dallas Mavericks and you would have thought it was a playoff game, 106-103.

The New York Knicks came out with a lot of fire but the crowd even more on one.  The defense was fiery and the Knicks were hitting the shots.  The tone was set by Frank Ntilikina.  Porzingis drove down Broadway and tried to dunk but Ntilikina was not letting that happen.  It was a blocking foul on Ntilikina but it was a clean block.

After the Mavs timeout, the Knicks were up 8-2 and you’d think they were on the verge of winning the NBA title.

The Knicks defense were energetic and all over-the-place throughout the entire game.  There was a few times were boxing out was a major issue but the Knicks out-rebounded the Mavs 62-48.  The Knicks also switched into a zone defense that, at times, was not that bad.  The Mavs found the holes but it could have been a lot worse.

The offense was cooking especially from beyond the arc.  The Knicks were 13-30, 44.7%.  They weren’t shying away and why not.  It there were hitting them then have at it.  Whenever the Knicks needed a big three it was always Marcus Morris, Bobby Portis or Dennis Smith Jr.

Yes, Smith Jr.  He had his best performance of the season in his second back back.  Smith was able to create for the Knicks and even make shots.  He defense wasn’t too shabby either.

The Mavs stayed in game thanks for Porzingis and Luka Doncic, who had a triple-double, but it wasn’t enough them.  The Knicks hit big shots and didn’t fold.  Fans could see the collapse coming but not this time.

It was partially thanks for the defense provided by Ntilikina in crunch time in the fourth.  His defense at the end of the game is exactly why he needs to play because when they need there was Ntilikina.  Also, the big shot hit by Morris sealed the game for the Knicks and the Garden erupted.

This was the best Knicks team performance of the season.  Not going to say that this could be the start of a turn around but the Knicks played like the team we all thought they could be this season.  Can it continue as they have two winnable games coming up against the Hornets and Cavaliers?  We shall see but this win was very enjoyable.

New York Knicks: Point-Guard plat will be essential moving forward

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New York Knicks, Frank Ntilikina, Julius Randle

New York Knicks starting point-guard Frank Ntilikina has found his confidence. Ntilikina put two straight significant, and solid performances together. The Knick guard scored 11-points on 5-7 shooting along with 4-assists and 3-blocks during the loss against the Detroit Pistons.

The following game against the Dallas Mavericks Ntilikina scored 14-points on 5-12 shooting along with 4-steals, 3-blocks, and 4-assists. Ntilikina also connected on 4-5 three-pointers. The young guard is bringing it on both ends, and he’s being rewarded with big minutes. Frank is solidifying himself.

Growing pains is normal for a newly constructed team. The New York Knicks are learning each other, and there seems to be an identity-forming with the young group. The defense will be critical for the Knicks moving forward, and Ntilikina is becoming the anchor.

Knick fans have been either hot or ice-cold on Frank Ntilikina. Many nonsupporters say there isn’t anything there in terms of talent. However, many pro-Ntilikina Knicks fans believe the complete opposite. Ntilikina has been proving the naysayers wrong, and the supportive fans are loving every second of it.

Overall, the Knicks seem to have found their long-sought for point guard moving forward. FIBA Frank will look to continue his two-way onslaught.

Defensively, Ntilikina can hang with the best of them. If he isn’t shutting the opposing guard down, he’s making them uncomfortable due to his ability to use his wingspan and quick hands. Steals, chase-down blocks, and taking charges embodies the defensive style of Ntilikina for a full 48 minutes of NBA action.

How the New York Knicks need to change their lineup

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New York Knicks, Boston Celtic, Kevin Knox, Marcus Morris

Head coach David Fizdale has explored numerous lineups for the New York Knicks.  There hasn’t been anything substantial since he took over. He continues to try and find what players work best with each other, and it’s been difficult.

There has been a lot of incomplete lineups whose weaknesses ruin the flow of certain lineups and even games.  The most significant flow stopper was, still, in the Orlando Magic game.  Fizdale subbed in Morris for Knox, who had the hot hand, and it changes the whole rhythm for the Knicks, ultimately taking another loss.

With that being said, one lineup change that fans should hope for is starting Kevin Knox over Marcus Morris.  The Knicks need to be more focused on developing Knox.  He has shown signs of progression through this style of play and shooting thus far.  Knox shot the ball well in Detroit, 5-7 from the field with 2-3 beyond the arc.  His shot looks confident and should get him more minutes.  Knox is currently shooting 43.9% from the floor for this season.

The area of concern for taking Morris out of the starting lineup would be his attitude.  Morris is a fiery player that will command to play more, especially with his contract, 15 million for one season.  Fizdale could start him for 4-5 minutes then sub in Knox to get him more minutes since Morris isn’t in the Knicks future plans.

By switching out Knox for Morris, the Knicks can also tackle another team issue.  Ball hogging between Julius Randle and Morris.  The two can’t play with each other.  They both are ball-dominant players that command one-on-one situations.  That hurts the Knicks more as they aren’t used to playing with each other at this time.

Randle should play more at the center position.  That would help with the floor spacing and create more plays for the offense to run as compared to one-on-one.  Fizdale should find the happy medium with rotating Randle, Mitchell Robinson, and Bobby Portis at center.

Fizdale knows how tough it is to figure out the starting lineup or lineups in general.  Finding what players work best with each other is the hardest part of his job, and with eight new players, it can’t be easy.  The Knicks and Fizdale need to figure out the lineup situation quick before the already restless fans get even more worried.

Second team defensive struggles; New York Knicks lose 4th straight

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New York Knicks, David Fizdale

The New York Knicks starting lineup last night might be the one.  The lineup consisted of Frank Ntilikina, RJ Barrett, Marcus Morris, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson.

That first squad played well together and gave fans hope it could be the lineup moving forward.  The Knicks were in the game and their defense was on-point.  They were aggressive with active hands and hitting the glass.

The Knicks were led defensively by Ntilikina who had an outstanding game on both sides of the floor.  Coming out party?  Ntilikina was excellent on defense, locking down Luke Kennard, who’s been hot for Detroit.  He had active hands, making steals, blocks and staying in front of his man like an elite defender.

Ntilikina was, finally, making shots on the offensive side as well.  His shot look confident and he was knocking them down.  Even Alan Hahn was complimenting Ntilikina’s play, as fans saw the Ntilikina from the FIBA World Cup.

However, the Knicks did make Tony Snell look like a max player, who didn’t miss a shot all game.  Snell was the Pistons entire offense while the starting lineup kept the Knicks in the game.  Then David Fizdale subbed in the second-team and the game went down the tubes.

The defense from the second unit of Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson, Kevin Knox, Wayne Ellington and Barrett/Ntilikina was atrocious.  The Knicks got blasted in transition as the Pistons got numerous easy buckets from a leaking defender.  The paint was open the entire game when this lineup was in and the Knicks had no answer.

Their answer of Robinson went out in the first quarter when he got an inadvertent elbow to the face.  The first unit would come back into the game, scratch and claw their way back in due to the poor defense from the second team.

Besides Ntilikina’s overall play, Randle’s offensive performance, Knox’s shooting and Barrett’s aggressiveness were the only other highlights.

Randle showed fans the player that they hoped for when they signed him.  He was actually hitting 3-pointers too.  Randle still had turnover issues but what else do you expect.  Barrett was driving to the rim with a purpose and getting several and-one’s.  Knox had a confident stroke and his shot continues to look more polished.  Another reason why Knox should get more minutes and how he’s a cornerstone to the Knicks going forward.

Due to the lackadaisical, careless transition defense and inability to clog up the middle the Knicks fell for a fourth straight time to the Detroit Pistons, 122-102.  If there’s any positive to come out of last night’s game, it would be that they may have found a serviceable starting lineup, finally.  The second unit still needs a lot of work to find the right fit.

New York Knicks: The “Fire Fizdale Rants” don’t make any sense

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New York Knicks, David Fizdale

The New York Knicks don’t need any more rants, just wins:

Many New York Knick fans are becoming impatient with the losing efforts. Fingers are beginning to point at head coach David Fizdale. Fizdale admits to having difficulty finding the right group of guys to mesh.

Knicks are closing in on ten games into the regular season and fans seem to have plenty of anger stored up for the Knicks head coach after a painful 1-6 start. Three of the six losses were each by a margin of fewer than ten points. If plays down the stretch of these games were executed, there’s a possibility the record could be 4-3.

However, unfamiliar personnel mixed with injuries to Elfrid Payton and floor spacer Reggie Bullock doesn’t make things easier. Damyean Dotson is still slowly but surely working his way back into basketball-shape fresh off of his shoulder rehab. Knick point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is on a leave of absence mourning the loss of his stepmother.

Dennis Smith Jr. is a very important part of the roster because he was actually the projected starter coming out of training camp until he strained his lower back before the season even started.

Frank Ntilikina is the only healthy point-guard available and RJ Barrett is leading all rookies in minutes played. Fans aren’t even grasping the fact the Knicks aren’t 100% at the moment. Not only are injuries and personal situations players like Dennis Smith Jr. and Reggie Bullock are going through taking its toll on the depth, but certain styles Fizdale wants to try are also restricted until all personnel is available at one time.

Fans must give this season some time as the Knicks figure out which personnel play well together. Fans must give the players time to practice together and digest bad basketball in the Knicks film room for improvement on the court.

The New York Knicks need last year’s Fizdale back

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New York Knicks, David Fizdale

The New York Knicks are not the same team from last year.  The Knicks finished with an NBA worst 17-65 record in 2018-19.  Despite the worst record, there is lot more hope and optimism in this year’s team.

The Knicks added several new players that would be the ‘right’ fit for this year’s team.  Those players were thought to thrive under the tutelage of the well-respected ‘players coach’ David Fizdale.

When the Knicks won their 17th game last season at Garden faithful saw Fizdale being the teams biggest cheerleader.  He was jumping up-and-down, running up the sidelines as if it was a playoff game.

This year, however, is a completely different story.  The Knicks don’t have that fiery coach on the side this season.  Some fans already expressed frustration with his coaching this season.  However, sources around the team have confirmed that it’s too early for a coaching change.

The coach sets the tone for the team.  Despite the league’s worst record last season, the fire from Fizdale was still present.  He was showing that he was a player’s coach.  Fizdale just didn’t have the talent last season to perform.  This season is different.

There’s 10 new players and higher expectations, especially with the future of their franchise, RJ Barrett.  Since there’s new expectations, Fizdale has appeared to change his coaching demeanor.  There’s little fire like we saw last year and he’s trying to be more professional, sometimes over-coaching.

Marcus Morris defended his coach saying that Fizdale ‘puts them in the best position to win’.  He continued, “He’s been nothing but a great coach for us.”  While that may be the case for the players, the Knicks are still 1-6.  This coaching style may not be working currently for the New York Knicks.

The Knicks get down on themselves when the shots aren’t falling.  It’s the coaches responsibility to pick the team back up.  This team of ‘dogs’, currently poodles, could respond well to that fire from their leader.