Knicks

Knicks: Julius Randle and Tom Thibodeau have opposite views of defensive quality

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knicks, julius randle

One of the Knicks‘ biggest concerns this year has been defensive efficiency. They currently rank 23rd with a 111 defensive rating, far below their 4th place ranking during the 2020–21 season.

The dramatic falloff was a result of Reggie Bullock and Elfrid Payton leaving the team in free agency, a move that everybody assumed it would be positive after adding more offensive weapons. However, Kemba Walker has been a liability, providing nonexistent defense and spotty offensive production, and Evan Fournier has produced a similar result.

The Knicks needed their All-Star power forward, Julius Randle, to step up and have another elite season, but he has struggled on both ends of the ball, watching his three-point percentage plummet to 33.5% at his defensive rating elevate to 113.2 from 106.8 last year.

Randle believes he’s playing great defense, though, the opposite message Tom Thibodeau conveyed regarding everybody on the team.

“I feel like I’m playing pretty good,” Randle said regarding his defense, via the NY Post. “Being able to switch, guard perimeter players and post players. Versatility, being able to do that. So whatever coach asks me, whatever he needs me to do, I’m going to go out there and do it 100 percent. But yeah, I feel like I’m pretty good on that end.”

Thibodeau indicated that everybody needs to contribute more, not just a singular individual. Communication, energy, effort, and positioning have all been negative factors leading to a sub .500 team.

“We gotta get more from everyone,” Tom Thibodeau said regarding Randle’s efficiency. “It’s not an individual thing. It’s a team thing, so we gotta get everyone playing better.”

Randle currently hosts a -7.5 net rating, his lowest since the 2016–17 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. His offensive production has improved since then, but he has fallen away from his previous All-Star form. He connected on 40% of three-point shots last season, making him a more efficient scorer and adding a different element to his game.

At this point in the year, though, it is evident that the Knicks lack a star player to pair with a Randle. He, unfortunately, does not possess the quality to dominate at a level that puts his team in a position to win on a nightly basis. He’s not a Kevin Durant or James Harden level player, who the Brooklyn Nets have just a train ride away.

The players need to start taking responsibility for their performances, indicating in previous days that their energy hasn’t been completely present. It seems as if they may lack a motivating leader behind the scenes to help elevate the squad.

Knicks hopeful to gain back key piece before taking on league-worst Detroit

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obi toppin, knicks

The New York Knicks are gearing up to take on the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, but they are still without several key players due to COVID-19 protocols.

With Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, Miles McBride, and RJ Barrett all still on the Covid list, one player that is capable of returning is Obi Toppin. Suppose Toppin is not experiencing any symptoms from the virus after the 10-day required quarantine. In that case, he will be able to play against Detroit, a good opportunity for him to gain some momentum moving forward.

Toppin was just picking up steam before catching the virus against Toronto, posting 19 points and 10 rebounds in the loss on December 10. In fact, he had strung together two consecutive games of double-digit points, earning 12 combined rebounds.

While the second-year forward has struggled with his three-point shooting this year, hitting just 19.6% of his shots, he’s finally been activated as an electrifying transition player — needed energy off the bench. The effort he displays on both sides of the ball makes him a valuable asset, increasing the pace and forcing teams to make premature decisions, leading to mistakes.

Considering Detroit has won just five games this year, a league-worst record, the 23-year-old forward, could return with a bang, which is exactly what he needs as New York prepares to take on Washington on Thursday and the Atlanta Hawks on Christmas day.

Aside from Toppin, the Knicks are also anticipating the return of RJ Barrett, clearing the 10-day quarantine on Wednesday. They could have him for Thursday and Saturday’s game, giving them an important starter back. Barrett had suffered from a stomach bug before contracting the virus, so getting back into form is a necessity if the Knicks want to push for a playoff spot the season.

Currently, the Knicks are on a seven-game road skid, featuring a 13-17 record. In the Eastern Conference, they are 1.5 games back from a play-in spot for the postseason. The Toronto Raptors currently hold the last play-in seed, but the Knicks have plenty of time left to fight their way back into contention. New York’s schedule lightens just a bit in the coming days, with Detroit, Washington, who is about a .500 team, and the, Hawks who will likely be without Trae Young, having been placed on the Covid list as well.

Knicks have a situation boiling between Tom Thibodeau and Kemba Walker

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knicks, kemba walker

If not for the COVID-19 situation the New York Knicks are currently dealing with, it is likely that veteran point guard Kemba Walker wouldn’t have played for the rest of the season. Despite the Knicks losing the majority of games that Walker was benched for, Tom Thibodeau didn’t think twice about bringing him back.

That is made clear because Walker stated that he and Thibs didn’t have any contact during the nine-game stretch in which he sat on the bench rooting for his teammates.

Reporters asked Kemba Walker if he had spoken to Thibodeau during the nine-game stretch after the benching:

“No sir.”

When a player and coach are clearly at odds, you can sense a bit of hostility in the air.

Walker’s refute to being exiled came across as a bit hostile but with a positive twist. It’s clear the veteran point guard is there to support his teammates, but it was evident that he lost some respect for Thibs during the process:

“Was I confused?” Walker said. “No. I’m not starting, I ain’t playing,” Walker said. “So I’m here for my team, I’m here for my teammates. I can’t say it enough. Whatever’s asked of me that’s what I’m here for.”

Due to the massive number of Covid cases within the team, Walker was asked to play against his former team, the Boston Celtics. Walker had something to prove, and he had arguably his best game of the season, scoring 29 points and recording three assists and six rebounds. He shot 45.5% from 3-PT range.

This is the Kemba that we saw earlier in the season, though, a monster performance offensively and then a disappearance the night after. He would go from double-digit scoring to earning just two points in the blink of an eye, something the Knicks saw as unsustainable.

On the season, Walker is averaging 12.6 points, 41.7% shooting from three-point range and 42.6% from the field. The major reason Thibodeau elected to bench him was because of his defense.

Walker hosts a 115.9 defensive rating, the highest in his entire career. His -11.9 net rating is also the lowest of his career, indicating either a massive shift in a strategy that does not conform to Walker’s strengths or a big drop off in quality. In addition, his assist numbers are down a few percentage points.

The Knicks had a justifiable reason to move away from Walker and begin relying on some of the younger pieces, notably Immanuel Quickley and Quentin Grimes. However, with Walker clearly frustrated about his lack of playing time, the Knicks should try to move him at the deadline.

Reports have indicated that nobody is interested in acquiring Walker, so he might have to be considered an add-on just to relieve his contractual duties for the future. The front office struck out big time in this acquisition, and Evan Fournier also seems to be a liability.

With animosity growing, the Knicks are going to have to make a few big decisions at the deadline in a few weeks, hopefully pairing Julius Randle with a top player.

Charles Barkley challenges Knicks’ RJ Barrett after inconsistent start to season

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new york knicks, rj barrett

Heading into the 2021–22 season, the expectation was that RJ Barrett would take a step forward with the New York Knicks.

After enjoying significant progress during the 2020–21 season, Barrett had all the tools available to become an All-Star, if not get close to the achievement. Averaging 15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and shooting 40% from the field this year at 21-years-old, his season hasn’t exactly gone the way he anticipated.

Barrett has seen decreases in three-point percentage, sitting at 35%, down 5% from last year, and a reduction in overall points and field goal rate.

After the Knicks’ front office failed to bring in another superstar to aid in Julius Randle, they were heavily relying on RJ to take a big jump, but the unfortunate reality of his season has put them between a rock and a hard place.

Some are challenging Barrett to step up and take ownership of his role on the team, and after being placed on the Covid list last week, he hasn’t been able to mount any momentum.

Via Sirius XM radio, Charles Barkley challenges RJ Barrett to be a better player:

You can only win so many games on hard work. The Kemba thing clearly has not worked. So you really cannot say that they got better than last year. They just play hard, but they don’t have great talent.

I mean Randle’s a heck of a player, but who’s the second-best player on that team. I did not know Kemba didn’t have a lot left in the tank… To me he (RJ Barrett) has to be the guy to step up, and he hasn’t done that… But if they’re going to be any good, it’s going to have to be Barrett, he’s gonna have to become close to being an All-Star.

The Knicks need RJ Barrett to remain a consistent factor:

Barrett has the talent to become an All-Star in the NBA, but he needs to be more consistent as a shooter and defender. He has experienced a massive decrease in defensive efficiency, hosting a 112.7 defensive rating compared to 107.2 last year. He currently has a -5.7 net rating, seeing a decrease in assists/turnover ratio and a reduction of 1.2 in Player Impact Estimate compared to last year.

Offensively, Barrett hasn’t been the same as a playmaker, with 39.6% of his shots made coming unassisted, while he recorded 58.2% in 2020. RJ is best when driving to the basket with his left hand. Using his right hand has become a liability.

The issue with Barrett seems to be confidence-related, as he’s enjoyed several streaks of elite shooting, notably at the beginning of the year when he strung together five consecutive games with 20+ points.

Hopefully, Barrett hears the criticism and rises to the occasion to provide his team with a spark offensively and a bit more efficiency on defense. Increasing his energy levels and aggressiveness would be a good start.

Do the Knicks have a Julius Randle problem? | What do the stats say?

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knicks, julius randle

The New York Knicks have completely adapted to the analytics age, making decisions based on probabilities and expectations due to numerical values. However, their statistics have led them down an interesting path, one that has backfired tremendously after signing Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier this past off-season to contribute more offensive production.

At this point in the season, Walker has already been benched due to lack of defense, and Fournier is wildly inconsistent on both sides of the floor. However, they likely didn’t anticipate Julius Randle taking such a massive step backward in his progression.

During Randle’s All-Star campaign in 2020–21, he posted incredible defensive and offensive metrics. Over 37.6 minutes per game, he recorded a 106.8 defensive rating paired with a 109.8 offensive. It was the first time he recorded a positive net rating in his career, logging career highs in assist/turnover ratio and the lowest turnover ratio in his career.

Via his advanced statistics, he had the highest Player Impact Estimate (PIE measures a player’s overall statistical contribution against the total statistics in games they play in) over his first six seasons in the league at 15.8. Altogether, he was contributing elite play on both ends of the floor, which justified the Knicks extending him on a four-year, $117 million deal.

Randle was capable of dominating by himself last season, thanks to incredible defense and effort. This season, though, everything has fallen apart as the communication with the starting five has degraded, and the trust of his teammates has also been reduced to a minimum.

A bit of natural regression was expected after posting incredible stats last season, shooting 45.6% from the field and 41% from three-point range, averaging 24.1 points per game. This season, his average points have fallen to 19.6 per game and is shooting just 33.5% from three-point range, a massive difference despite maintaining his 5.5 attempts.

In fact, Randle is connecting on just 25.5% of wide-open 3-PT shots this season, when he was hitting 40% last year. That’s purely a confidence metric.

A drop-off of nearly 8% in three-point hit rate is astronomical, showing that Julius simply isn’t converting shots at the same pace he did during his All-Star season. He is still managing to score at an adequate rate despite his fall in shooting efficiency. It is his defense that stands out as a primary liability, something that analysts aren’t talking enough about.

It seems a lack of focus and energy has been a culprit for Randle’s struggles, or maybe even the team’s free-agent moves. He’s allowing 10.7 opponent fast-break points per game, the highest number since 2017 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s also giving up a career-high 9.5 points on opponent second chances. In other words, his defensive rebounding has taken a step back, which wasn’t expected.

One statistic that stands out is a career-high 34.1% percentage of teams turnovers. He is turning the ball over at such a significant rate that he represents more than a quarter of the team’s entire number in the category.

Whether it be a lack of focus or just natural regression, it is clear that Randle isn’t capable of leading a team as a No.1  player. The Knicks desperately need to find him a partner in crime to help elevate his game, something everyone acknowledged during the off-season, and the front office failed to do. The pressure seems too much for a leader that seems to be exerting more energy yelling at the referees than motivating his team.

Marc Berman of the NY Post backed up that claim, with a source saying the locker room may be getting murky:

One source believes locker-room leadership has started to become an issue. Randle is not a born leader, self-admittedly the quiet type, as is Derrick Rose.

Randle is not known for his leadership qualities, so maybe the Knicks are dealing with a mentality and identity crisis without a vocal leader behind the scenes and on the floor.

Do these numbers indicate a Randle is a bad player? Absolutely not.

In fact, Julius is still an incredible scorer that has simply witnessed a dramatic drop-off in defensive quality. The reason behind his 3-PT drop-off seems more based on shot selection and confidence. These are mostly effort and positioning-based variables, so clearly, the change in starters with Kemba and Fournier impacted him in some way. The presence of Reggie Bullock and Elfrid Payton were mostly defensive boosters, and it’s clearly having some strange impact on Randle’s performance.

What do you think of Randle’s season so far? Why do you think he’s experienced such a massive drop-off in quality? Comment here!

The Knicks have a tough question to answer with Kemba Walker after dominant outing Vs Boston

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knicks, kemba walker

When the New York Knicks initially signed veteran point guard Kemba Walker to a two-year contract, fans and analysts alike gushed about the addition. The supposed injection of elite scoring potential projected to be a major catalyst for the Knicks’ success heading into the season, but Walker’s lackluster defense and spotty shooting forced head coach Tom Thibodeau to make a change in late November.

Walker, who was well received by New York fans, has been benched since his last performance against the Phoenix Suns on November 26. In that contest, Walker posted 17 points over 23 minutes.

Walker’s return to the spotlight against Boston was the last resort, though, representing a cry of desperation for Thibodeau, who lost six players this past week to Covid health protocols. The team entered Saturday night against the Boston Celtics, Kemba’s former team, without Kevin Knox, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Miles McBride.

McBride woke up on Saturday expecting an opportunity of a lifetime to string together a third impressive performance after dominating in his first two major assignments with the Knicks. Nonetheless, it was Walker that ended up taking the spotlight, posting 29 points on 45.5% shooting from three-point range, six rebounds, and three assists.

Despite the Knicks dropping five of their previous six games, Walker’s performance offered a  glimmer of hope into his value, even after being exiled.

“I want to play,” Walker said. “I don’t know. So it is what it is.”

He added: “I don’t know what the future holds, you know? I do feel like I have a lot to give still. I don’t know. That’s up to these guys.”

The future is undoubtedly murky for the former All-Star, who represents a professional scorer that simply disappears on defense, leaving his team vulnerable. After all, that was the primary reason Thibodeau elected to bench him in the first place. When Kemba was on the court, the Knicks ranked dead last in defensive efficiency per 100 possessions.

“I know I should be playing, so no question. It feels great,” he said. “But whatever situation I’m in, I’m gonna stay locked in, stay prepared. Whatever the team needs from me, I’ll be there for them.”

With multiple players still on the Covid list, Walker has a solid opportunity to justify his worth for the remainder of the season. Reports have indicated that teams aren’t interested in acquiring him via trade, so the Knicks may have no choice but to either dump his salary or continue to utilize him in specific scenarios.

Ideally, his only value doesn’t come as a last resort due to Covid overload.

Celtics 114, Knicks 107: Kemba Walker returns with a vengeance in loss

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knicks, kemba walker

Despite a resilient effort missing several key players, the New York Knicks fell to the Boston Celtics on Saturday evening 107-114.

The Knicks were missing Kevin Knox, Quentin Grimes, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Miles McBride in the contest, utilizing a depth trio of Wayne Selden, Taj Gibson, and Mitchell Robinson off the bench.

The loss of McBride came in the early portions of Saturday, despite the Knicks planning to rely on him as their primary point guard to open the game. However, they were forced to recall Kemba Walker from the bench, who had an illustrious performance after being benched on November 26.

Over 37 minutes, Walker scored 29 points, including three assists, six rebounds, and shooting 5 of 11 from three-point range. The last time Walker performed was on November 26 against the Phoenix Suns, recording 17 points on 50% shooting from three-point range.

While his impressive outing against Boston, his former team, won’t convince head coach Tom Thibodeau he’s worthy of more playing time, it was undoubtedly an inspiring performance that will confuse Knick fans moving forward.

As a team, New York shot 36.1% from three-point range and 43.8% from the field, tallying 42 rebounds and 18 assists. Boston posted a 37.8% three-point percentage, recording 45 rebounds and 23 assists.

Boston’s starting unit performed adequately, as Jayson Tatum logged 25 and Jaylen Brown recorded 23. However, it was reserve piece Josh Richardson that showed up with 27 points and five rebounds, hitting 5 of 7 shots from deep.

Unfortunately, the Knicks were unable to escape with a victory in this contest, despite a resilient effort from the starters. Evan Fournier also had a fantastic offensive game, recording 32 points, five rebounds, and shooting 40% from three-point range over 43 minutes.

Alec Burks contributed 19 points and Julius Randle 20 points, but their defense wasn’t strong enough to hold up in the contest. Losing so many depth pieces was simply unsustainable for Thibodeau’s squad, but they will look ahead to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night as a rebound.

Knicks lose 6th players to Covid measures, this time it’s Miles McBride

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miles mcbride, knicks

New York Knicks rookie point guard Miles McBride woke up with the opportunity of a lifetime on Saturday morning, but it took just a few hours before he entered Covid health protocols as well with five other teammates.

McBride has been on a tear in the last two games, providing stellar offensive production and adequate defensive efficiency. In his first legitimate assignment against the Golden State Warriors, McBride posted eight points, hitting 2 of 4 shots from deep and recording four rebounds.

Against the Houston Rockets, McBride posted 15 points and nine assists, displaying not only productive offensive playmaking but also facilitation for his teammates. He helped snap a four-game losing streak that had been haunting New York.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau was excited to continue utilizing McBride in a more prominent role, but after testing positive/coming in contact with someone who did with Covid, he will be placed on the 10-day list retro-active on December 28 at the very minimum.

McBride will join Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, who were also placed on Covid reserve due to health protocols. With a thin team gearing up to take on the Boston Celtics on Saturday night, they are at a massive disadvantage. Boston has lost four of their last five games but given their depth compared to New York, things are getting a bit murky for the Knicks’ outlook.

The loss of McBride is a big one, especially after posting back-to-back stellar performances on both sides of the ball. The Knicks needed a leader at point guard with some energy, and his loss will be felt with the only other capable point guard being Alec Burks on the roster. Veteran PG Derrick Rose is day-to-day with a sore right ankle, so there’s no guarantee he will be available for the game either, leaving the team extremely shorthanded.

Knicks’ Miles McBride is being gifted the opportunity of a lifetime

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knicks, miles mcbride

Energy, effort, intensity. Those are three factors that rookie point guard Miles McBride brought to the New York Knicks on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets. After spending the majority of the season working with the G-League team in Westchester, McBride was suddenly elevated to a prominent role with Covid ravaging the Knicks’ lineup.

Losing RJ Barrett, Kevin Knox, Quentin Grimes, and Obi Toppin this past week, McBride found himself suddenly playing 20+ minutes in back-to-back games, showcasing fantastic scoring capabilities and defensive energy.

One thing the Knicks have lacked severely this season is effort, as the starting team has echoed one another with an emphasis on being out-hustled and outpaced.

However, Tom Thibodeau found his team running the floor effectively and with unmatched energy after the installation of McBride and the presence of Immanuel Quickley. Quickley has since been placed on the Covid list for the next 10 days at least, despite his best efforts to evade the virus.

McBride has been ready to take on a bigger role this entire season, averaging over 25 points with Westchester. He simply wants to have an impact, and he did just that with 15 points and nine assists against Houston.

“Every time I step on the court I just want to impact winning,’’ McBride said before Thursday’s win over Houston. “That means on the defensive end I’m always going to bring it. Offensively I’m just going to read what the game gives me.”

Watching McBride play, you can see his poise and comfort on the floor. He doesn’t overthink, and he rarely makes mistakes, providing efficiency beyond what the Knicks have experienced this season at the point guard position.

“He played a great game,’’ Knicks veteran Taj Gibson said. “He was real patient, he does everything he needs to do early in the mornings, the early group, he’s a student of the game.’’

With Kemba Walker still riding the bench after being exiled from the team due to defensive deficiencies, McBride seems to be in line for a massive increase in playing time. If he continues to dominate, Thibodeau will have no choice but to continue relying on him as a primary player.

“You look at his development and he’s a strong two-way player,’’ Thibodeau said. “He plays with great energy on both sides of the ball. He plays multiple positions. He’s unselfish. He sprays it out. If you sag off him, he’s going to shoot. He can make it and can finish. And he’s a great worker.’’

Knicks lose 5th player to Covid protocols, Quickley ruled out Vs Celtics

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immanuel quickley, knicks

The New York Knicks are coming off their first win in five games against the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. They’re gearing up to take on the Boston Celtics on Saturday evening, looking to string together another victory.

With the team already ruling Kevin Knox, Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, and RJ Barrett out due to Covid health protocols, the team was already considered extremely thin.

However, the Knicks have ruled out another young player, Immanuel Quickley.

Quickley has been a fantastic player for New York this season, averaging 10.2 points, 2.6 assists, and 21.8 minutes per game. He’s shooting 39% from the field and 34.6% from three-point range, but his recent numbers have been far more impressive.

Over the past three games, Quickley has posted double-digit points in each, including a 24-point performance against Houston, where he tallied four assists and four rebounds, hitting 70% of his shots from deep (7 of 10).

Head coach Tom Thibodeau rolled with Quickley and Miles McBride as the primary depth guards on Thursday, and they produced a combined 39 points and 13 assists, powering the Knicks victory.

Against Boston, they will continue to depend on McBride, who posted 15 points against the Rockets in the win. With so many players going down, Thibodeau may have no choice but to activate Kemba Walker off the bench, a move he’s been avoiding the past few days.