Knicks

Is it time for the Knicks to bring Kemba Walker back from exile?

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kemba walker, knicks

The New York Knicks face an uphill battle after three consecutive losses, including a Sunday afternoon blowout against the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite rookie guard Quentin Grimes having the best game of his career, posting 27 points, New York simply couldn’t maintain pace with a Bucks team consisting of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton.

However, with inconsistencies and injuries plaguing the team at the moment, head coach Tom Thibodeau may think his strategy, especially within the starting five. They have lost six of their last seven games, and ever since relegating free-agent acquisition Kemba Walker to the bench, the entire team has been in disarray. Moving Alec Burks to a starting spot has disrupted the chemistry with the second team, a unit that had been floating the starters for the majority of the still-young season.

The Knicks were still inconsistent before Walker was benched after a 17-point performance against the Phoenix Suns on November 26, shooting 50% from three-point range. Despite his scoring efficiency, the Knicks had won three of their last six games and heading in a difficult direction. However, since New York decided to sit a player they are paying $8 million per season over two years for, they have won just two out of eight contests.

Some negative voices are beginning to creep in, as one NBA agent claimed the decision to bench Walker was a “catastrophe.”

“When you think about the hype, it’s a catastrophe,’’ one NBA agent said about the Knicks’ benching of Walker, according to the NY Post.

Walker had been averaging 11.7 points, 3.1 assists, and 43% shooting from the field over 24.5 minutes per game. It wasn’t necessarily his offensive production that found him on the bench, it was his inept defense, which severely limited the Knicks. Prior to Walker’s exile, the Knicks had the worst defensive rating in basketball when he was on the floor per 100 possessions, compared to a top-five unit when he was off.

While the analytics point toward Walker being a liability, the Knicks have only gotten worse in the meantime. It seems as if disrupting the second team and taking Burks out of rotation has done more harm than good, especially after an 0 for 7 performance against the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

The question is, is it time for Thibodeau to consider reinstating Kemba back to his normal role, or should he stay the course and skirt around embarrassment after a failed attempt at resurrecting his team?

It is clear they lack a true leader, as Julius Randle is more of an introvert, but is being paid to be an outspoken captain. Nonetheless, Walker could’ve been that guy if given the chance, but it may be too late for Thibodeau to turn the tables with the trade deadline coming up in a few months.

Do you think the Knicks should give Kemba Walker another chance? Comment here!

Bucks 112, Knicks 97: Quentin Grimes explodes with expanded role but not enough to stifle Bucks

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quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks never stood a chance against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon, with RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin missing the contest due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Both players were exposed to a positive case of Covid, leaving them inactive for the game, leaving New York shorthanded.

However, to make matters worse, starting point guard Alec Burks missed the contest due to personal reasons, forcing rookie Quentin Grimes into a more prominent role with the starting five.

Of course, there was no chance New York was going to extract a victory in this game, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton at the top of their games. Giannis posted 20 points and Middleton 24, combining for 18 rebounds and 15 assists.

Once again, the Knicks allowed every starter for the opposing team to hit double-digit points, and even two of their reserve players, Pat Connaughton and Rodney Hood, landed 10+ points in the game.

As for the Knicks, Julius Randle contributed just eight, recording a -17 +/- on the game, including seven turnovers. Randle has been a shell of his former self this season, failing to dominate offensively and presenting a liability on defense at times due to a lack of communication.

Veteran point guard Derrick Rose replaced Alec Burks in the lineup, recording 18 points and seven assists. However, it was rookie Quentin Grimes that stood out as the team’s scoring threat, keeping the game from getting out of hand.

Grimes posted a career-high 27 points, shooting 9 of 17 from the field and 7 of 13 from three-point range. His 40 minutes were his highest of the season and represented more combined than his previous three games.

This showcases Quentin’s shooting efficiency, and given his on-ball defense, head coach Tom Thibodeau may be more reliant on him in the future, especially against strong three-point shooting teams. Milwaukee only shot 34% from three-point range, meaning the Knicks played solid perimeter defense but unfortunately missed some of their more prominent defenders, putting them at a disadvantage.

The Knicks are now on a three-game losing streak and have lost six of their last seven games. They will look ahead to a dangerous Golden State Warriors team at MSG on Tuesday night.

Knicks lose RJ Barrett due to COVID protocols, leaving team shorthanded Vs Bucks

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new york knicks, rj barrett

The New York Knicks were already gearing up to face a formidable competitor in the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday afternoon, but things aren’t getting any easier with RJ Barrett being placed in protocol for coming in contact with a positive Covid case.

The Knicks will be incredibly shorthanded on Sunday, with Barrett being ruled out at The Garden and second-year power forward Obi Toppin joining him on the COVID-19 health and safety protocols list. Starting guard Alec Burks was also ruled out due to personal reasons. That makes three impact players OUT for New York against arguably the best team in basketball.

Toppin has been earning significantly more minutes in recent days, posting a season-high 24 against the Toronto Raptors in the team’s most recent defeat. Toppin contributed 19 points and 10 rebounds, both career highs up to this point.

Losing both Barrett and Toppin will force head coach Tom Thibodeau to supplement their losses with reserve talent. Expect to see a smaller floor with additional guards like Immanuel Quickley and even Quentin Grimes.

Players that could see added minutes include Quickley, Kevin Knox, Miles McBride, and Grimes. Considering Barrett’s spot as a primary shooting guard in the starting five, replicating his 6’4″, 214-pound frame is rather difficult off the bench. Knox is the closest at 6’7″ and 215-pounds, but he is a poor shooter and features as a small forward.

Against Milwaukee, the Knicks don’t stand a chance, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo dominating this season, averaging 27.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Since the Knicks last played Milwaukee, they also gained back Khris Middleton, who is adding 18.2 points at 5.1 assists on average.

This is a Bucks team with all of their firepower and the Knicks losing two essential pieces, so if you’re a sports bettor, smashing the over on Milwaukee might be a strong move.

Things don’t get any easier for Knicks as they host red-hot Milwaukee Bucks team

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knicks, derrick rose

The New York Knicks are coming off consecutive losses, one a blow-out against the Indiana Pacers and a nail-biter Vs the Toronto Raptors. On Friday night, the Knicks were unable to stifle Toronto, despite a career-night from Obi Toppin, who finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Toppin’s transition game has become a catalyst for the Knicks’ offense, but his 19.6% 4-PT shooting this season has dragged his minutes down, despite Tom Thibodeau increasing his totals gradually in the month of December.

New York won’t have an easier time on Sunday afternoon against the Milwaukee Bucks, who currently stands 2nd in the Central Division and have one 11 of their last 13 games, including a victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday.

Milwaukee, of course, is led by perennial All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is averaging 27.6 points this year, including 11.8 rebounds, 53.4% shooting from the field, and about 30% shooting from three-point range. Giannis is not only a prolific scorer, but he is a monster in the paint and is averaging 5.7 assists per game, showcasing his facilitation.

For the Knicks, stopping Giannis is simply impossible, but if they can take away Milwaukee’s alternative playmakers, they can give themselves a chance at victory. However, that is easier said than done, as the Bucks have gained Khris Middleton back after a bout with COVID-19, who is averaging 18.2 points and 5.1 assist the season. In addition, role players Bobby Portis and Jrue Holliday have also displayed efficiency.

Portis is a solid 3-and-D role player, averaging 15.4 points this season with 40.6% shooting from deep and 9.0 rebounds per game. He fills their center spot, but as a modern-day big man, he’s also capable of shooting efficiently. The Knicks severely lack a scoring Center, which is why they have been connected to Pacers star big man Myles Turner in recent days.

For the Knicks to stifle Milwaukee, they will need impeccable defense from Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. Tom Thibodeau’s squad currently ranks 24th in defensive rating at 110.2. If they maintain that same success rate against the Bucks, they will have no chance of picking up their first win three games.

Stellar perimeter defense is a necessity for New York, but they will need more from point guard Alec Burks, who had an awful night against Toronto, finishing with one point on 0 for 7 shooting. Expect to see heavy doses of Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, who both played 24 minutes in the close loss to the Raptors.

A more productive game for Randle should be in store since he hasn’t reached 20 points in three consecutive games. After posting at 40% clip from three-point range last season, Randle has regressed to 33% but hasn’t leaned on his shooting lately, rather playing isolation ball. His one-man approach and turnover totals have severely hurt the efficiency and communication of the starting five.

Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau details how Obi Toppin can earn more playing time

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obi toppin, knicks

With just moments left in the contest against Toronto on Friday evening, New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau pulled Obi Toppin from the game.

The second-year forward had a career night up north, recording 19 points and 10 rebounds. He was undoubtedly the team’s best player during the game, justifying his presence in the final moments.

Some might say it was unreasonable that Toppin wasn’t involved in the final play, which ended up being a three-point shot from RJ Barrett that careened off the rim.

After the game, Thibodeau details how Toppin could enjoy more playing time in the future, after spending 24 minutes on the floor against the Raptors, a high this season, excluding the double-overtime win against the Boston Celtics to open the year.

“If he plays well, he plays more, it’s that simple. You have to earn what you get.”

Clearly, Toppin is earning more action on the floor, posting back-to-back double-digit point games with 12 combined rebounds and just two turnovers.

The Dayton product has become electrifying in transition, especially with fellow draft mate Immanuel Quickley leading the offense down the court. His abilities to find open lanes and drive the baseline have become a focal point for the Knicks on offense, but his shooting still remains a liability, connecting on just 19.6% from three-point range this season.

However, that’s not for lack of practice, as Obi has been extremely proactive with his work off the court.

“I see that work every day, I see how he approaches it. He’s a great worker, great kid. I’m not surprised that he’s improving,” Thibs said.
The reality for Toppin is simple, his 15.6 minutes per night on average are a result of Julius Randle hosting the top power forward slot. Thibodeau has been trying to get Randle and Toppin on the floor at the same time to maximize their skill sets, which are vastly different, especially in transition and isolation.
While Thibodeau clearly didn’t roll with Toppin in the final moments, the second-year player responded positively, indicating that his head coach knows all.

“Coach Thibs is a great coach. He’s been doing this for a very long time. He knows what he’s doing. He’s a lot more experienced and he knows a lot more,” Toppin shared.

Nonetheless, coming off what are the best games of his career, Thibs has no choice but to feature him in a more prominent role moving forward, especially if the Knicks want to be a more fast pace team relying on energy and effort rather than Randle posting up in isolation and trying to carry the load.

Have the Knicks finally cracked the code with Obi Toppin?

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new york knicks, immanuel quickley, obi toppin

Despite an unfortunate loss to the Toronto Raptors on Friday evening, the New York Knicks enjoyed a career night from second-year forward Obi Toppin.

Toppin, who has been relishing more minutes as of late, posted 19 points and 10 rebounds in the defeat over 24 minutes, his highest total in the month of December. In fact, 24 minutes was the most he played since opening night against the Boston Celtics in the Knicks’ double-overtime win.

It is clear that head coach Tom Thibodeau is factoring in Toppin more frequently due to his incredible athleticism and fantastic stamina. Toppin exerts maximum energy and effort whenever he’s on the floor, chasing down loose balls and being proactive with his runs to the basket. Against Toronto, he shot 43% from the field but once again struggled from deep, hitting on just 20% of his shots.

This season, Toppin is shooting 54% from the field and just 19.5% from three-point range, a disappointing number that needs to improve moving forward. However, New York has finally cracked the code on his usage and production, focusing on transition basketball.

Luckily, the Knicks’ two best players in transition are Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, who work splendidly off one another. Quickley has become a fantastic facilitator for Toppin and his electrifying dunks.

Quickley has also enjoyed significant minutes with the second team, earning 20+ in every game this month, including a 38-minute outing against the Chicago Bulls on December 2. Whenever Quickley is on the floor, the Knicks have more energy, but Thibodeau has also looked to pair Toppin with fellow power forward Julius Randle.

As the team continues to build confidence with one another and develop chemistry, it’s clear they are experiencing deficiencies with communication and positioning. They simply lack the fundamental flow on offense and find themselves crashing to the basket or falling back without any attempt at an offensive rebound. Toppin showcased his utility in the paint, with his eight defensive and two offensive rebounds against Toronto.

Not only was Obi’s 19 points a season-high, but his 10 rebounds as well, hopefully turning a new chapter on his dominant transition play. Nonetheless, until he can improve his shooting abilities and efficiency from beyond the arc, he will remain a one-tool player that makes up for a lack of defensive efficiency with a high work rate. In the meantime, the Knicks may have cracked the code on curating an impact, but he still has a lot of developing left to do.

Raptors 90, Knicks 87: Obi Toppin’s career night not enough to stifle Toronto

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obi toppin, knicks

The New York Knicks dropped their second consecutive game on Friday evening, despite a phenomenal effort by second-year forward Obi Toppin. The Knicks were recently blown out by the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night, but a stellar defensive effort wasn’t enough to stifle the Toronto Raptors, who entered the game with a 4–9 record at home.

The Knicks scored just 87 points in the game, finding themselves down by double digits in the second quarter after recording just 14 points in the first while Toronto posted 31.

By all accounts, this game was well beyond reach in just the first half, but the Knicks held Toronto to just 19 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Their resilience still wasn’t enough to record a victory, shooting an awful 26.5% from three-point range and 35.8% from the field.

Overall, this was another inconsistent offensive performance for New York, gaining just one point from Alec Burks over 37 minutes, as the starting guard shot 0 for 7 from the field and 0 for 3 from three-point range.

In fact, only two starters recorded double-digit points, including Julius Randle with 13 and RJ Barrett with 19. The entire Toronto starting five scored double-digit points, including 24 from Gary Trent Jr. and 17 from Fred VanVleet. VanVleet posted 11 assists in the game, acting as a primary facilitator, while Scottie Barnes and Pablo Siakam combined for 27 rebounds.

The Knicks, on the other end, relied on Julius Randle and Obi Toppin as their primary rebounders, combining for 24. Toppin enjoyed a career night, posting 19 points over 24 minutes. The transition game with Toppin was lucrative, especially with his draft buddy, Immanuel Quickley taking the ball down and giving Obi opportunities for electrifying dunks.

The New York Knicks can’t find their shooting from down-town:

However, it was their three-point shooting that doomed them from the beginning, as Evan Fournier posted the best numbers, hitting 3 of 7 shots from deep. Ultimately, the absolute dud from Alec Burks proved to be the difference, representing an anomaly over his past few games.

Burks has scored double-digit points in six consecutive games before Friday night’s loss to Toronto. He’s still shooting 42.5% from three-point range this season, so he should bounce back in the short term.

Nonetheless, this was a winnable game for New York against Toronto, especially holding their opponents to just 90 points. Tom Thibodeau will be disappointed about this loss, as the Knicks have now dropped five of their last six games. They have a tough matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks coming up on Sunday afternoon, who are currently on an impressive winning streak.

Pacers’ Myles Turner says he’s ‘not valued’, opening up door for Knicks deadline trade

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myles turner, knicks

The New York Knicks have to make a few big decisions down the stretch to determine what direction the team is going to head down. Ultimately, Tom Thibodeau’s squad misses a scoring big man, rolling with Nerlens Noel and Mitchell Robinson this season, despite a lack of production in the scoring department. While the pair offers solid rebounding and defensive capabilities, it puts a ton of pressure on Julius Randle and the starters to pick up the slack.

Finding a scoring center who can also dominate the boards is ideal, which is why Indiana Pacers’ big man Myles Turner has been connected to the Knicks in the past. Knicks’ president Leon Rose was intrigued by the prospect of trading for Turner this past off-season, but they have another opportunity to execute a trade this season at the deadline for the starting center.

Luckily for New York, Turner has already indicated that he’s unhappy with his role in Indiana, stating he wants more responsibility and the chance to be a star.

“It’s clear that I’m not valued as anything more than a glorified role player here, and I want something more, more opportunity,” Turner told The Athletic.

Turner has the capabilities to be an elite scorer, but his defensive attributes also stand out as a primary strength.

“I’m trying really hard to make the role that I’m given here work and find a way to maximize it. I’ve been trying to the past two, three seasons,” Turner said. “But it’s clear to me that, just numbers-wise, I’m not valued as more than a rotational role player, and I hold myself in a higher regard than that.”

Myles is averaging 12.9 points per game but is shooting nearly 40% from 3-PT range this season and tallying 2.8 blocks per game. A player of his stature shooting 40% from range and posting a career-high 7.3 rebounds per game this year is deserving of an opportunity to be an even bigger part.

While the offense has been a liability for the Knicks this season, their defense has been even more spotty. Turner could help significantly on both ends, which could solve a primary issue with the starters.

However, Turner won’t come cheap. The front office would have to offer up multiple draft picks and off-load a few players. With the Pacers in rebuild mode, getting rid of Turner’s contract may be a focal point, so valuing him could be difficult.

3 players who need to step up for the Knicks in Eastern showdown Vs Toronto

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knicks, julius randle

The New York Knicks are coming off a blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday evening, courtesy of the Pacers’ entire starting team that all posted double-digit points. Scoring big man Myles Turner presented yet another reason for the Knicks to gauge his price at the trade deadline this year, posting 23 points and showcasing dominance at multiple levels.

It’s becoming clear New York is in desperate need of a center that can contribute in more ways than just rebounding. Mitchell Robinson had a fantastic 13-rebound performance against San Antonio coming off the bench, but he recorded just two against Indiana, displaying more inconsistencies.

At this point, Tom Thibodeau and the front office need to make a few changes, whether they be with the lineup or adding more talent at the deadline. At this rate, the Knicks will miss the post-season just one year after establishing themselves as a defensive powerhouse. A lack of 3-and-D players isn’t exactly what Thibodeau was looking for when the team allowed Reggie Bullock to walk in free agency in favor of Evan Fournier, who has been a liability on defense all season.

However, the Knicks are preparing to take on the Toronto Raptors, who are three games below .500 at 11-14. In fact, Toronto is 4-9 at home this season, giving the Knicks a slight advantage, despite ESPN’s power index giving the Raptors a 57.1% chance of victory.

Let’s take a look at three players the Knicks need to step up:

1.) RJ Barrett

Barrett has been inconsistent this season, to say the least, but is bouncing back nicely after a bout with the stomach bug and the change in basketball. Barrett has recorded games of 32 points and 19 points in consecutive games, showcasing some of his offensive prowess. However, Barrett’s defense has regressed compared to last season, primarily due to a lack of chemistry and communication with his teammates.

Against Toronto, Barrett needs to step up defensively and have enough productive game from the field, otherwise, the team will have to rely on the second team, which is always risky.

2.) Mitchell Robinson

Robinson has been dealing with stamina issues as of late, stating he gets tired after 7-8 minutes on the floor. When he’s not rebounding, Robinson is a total liability as an offensive threat. His defense is solid when his energy levels are high, but the second he runs out of gas, teams begin dominating in transition.

Thibs has tried to supplement Robinson’s exhaustion by starting him on the bench, but they need him to be at peak performance, especially with more than 20 games already under his belt this season. Toronto is a smaller team, so Robinson should dominate on the boards, giving the Knicks second chances.

3.) Evan Fournier

The Knicks may be regretting the massive $72 million deal they offered Fournier this past offseason, simply based on his non-existent defense. When Fournier isn’t knocking down shots, he’s a complete liability, which has hurt the Knicks’ defensive efficiency. Against Toronto, they need Fournier to create opportunities for himself and knock them down, all the while interrupting passing lanes. His primary use on defense is racking up steals, as his slow feet and poor communication have hurt his team.

Fournier has posted 14 combined points over the past two games, shooting no higher than 33% from 3-PT range.

Knicks: One interesting excuse for RJ Barrett’s inconsistencies this season

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rj barrett, knicks

After shooting 40% from 3-PT range last season, Knicks‘ 3rd-year guard RJ Barrett has taken a step in the wrong direction with his efficiency. Barrett is contributing 15 points per game, 2.6 less than his 2020-21 averages, indicating a downturn in production, which could be for a variety of reasons.

Barrett has been dealing with a stomach bug as of late, finally feeling his best against the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week when he posted 32 points on 7 of 8 shooting from deep. He added 19 points on 60% shooting from 3-PT range against Indiana in the Knicks’ blowout loss on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, Barrett has experienced inconsistencies, primarily linked to his shooting efficiency and defensive effort. However, he may have one legitimate excuse to fall back on, the change in basketball, which has impacted a number of players around the league.

Sports Illustrated‘s Chris Mannix noted on the Crossover Podcast that Barrett is “one of those guys that right now is having a little bit of trouble adjusting to the new ball.”

The new Wilson-brand ball has a different composition, which has throws off some players.

Mannix explained some of the issues plaguing players thus far:

“There’s a lot of those guys out there that are having some issues with the grip on that new basketball. What I was told by one coach was that because the ball hits the rim differently and bounces differently, guys are adding a little bit more arc to their shots. They’re literally changing their shots because of the composition of the basketball and that’s been screwing around with some guys.”

Changing from Spalding to Wilson has had an impact, and the Players Association stated that some players may have a tough time with the transition. After seeing a massive uptick in 3-PT efficiency last year, a natural regression was expected for RJ, but he recorded just a 29.2% hit rate in the month of November.

Nonetheless, Barrett’s success is integral to the Knicks winning games. When he’s struggling, the entire team falters on both sides of the ball. Hopefully, he continues to adapt to the new ball and begins seeing an uptick in production.