Knicks

3 keys for the New York Knicks to take down red-hot Phoenix Suns

November 26, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks are preparing to take on the red hot Phoenix Suns on Friday evening, who have won 14 games straight, with recent wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs. While Phoenix has enjoyed somewhat of a light schedule up to this point, the Knicks have an opportunity to end their impressive streak.

However, it is going to take every player at the top of their game to dismantle the Suns, who’ve been lethal offensively this season.

Three keys for the Knicks to take down Suns:

1.) Limit Chris Paul

Limiting Chris Paul is easier said than done, as he’s averaging 14.1 points, 10.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He is still an elite point guard and is incredibly intelligent with a ball in his hands. When he’s not scoring, he’s facilitating, so finding ways to keep him at bay is a priority for New York.

“It’s just incredible,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said this week when asked about Paul. “I think he’s always been a great player. His career speaks for itself. He went through a stretch where he had injuries, but the way he’s taking care of his body and he’s sort of just navigated that and he’s been healthy, I think you see what his leadership has done for that team. He’s brought the best out of them.”

I would love to see Immanuel Quickley have a chance to guard Paul with his aggressive press style, they should put more full-court pressure on the star PG.

2.) Devin Booker can’t be given space to shoot

Phoenix’s top scorer this season is Devin Booker, who is averaging 23.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Booker has once again elevated his play, facilitating efficiently but also scoring at an incredibly high clip. He’s connecting on nearly 40% of his three-point attempts and 45.1% from the field.

The Knicks have had trouble guarding the perimeter this season at times, and if they give Booker too much space and open looks at the basket, he will make them pay. Having aggressive perimeter defense is essential to limiting Devin coming off a 35-point performance against Cleveland.

3.) Knicks’ starters need to step up

The Knicks’ starting unit can’t have another deficient game, not against Phoenix. The Suns currently have the third-best defensive rating in basketball, as the Knicks sit at 16th, a big increase from just a week ago.

If the starters are unable to contribute significantly, they will have to once again rely on their second team, who don’t have the capacity to match the offensive production of Phoenix. Luckily for New York, Julius Randle is coming off two consecutive games, posting 20+ points, and he’s finally finding his groove.

The team needs more from starting point guard Kemba Walker, who has scored single-digit points in his last four contests with a minimum of 18 minutes. For New York to be a competitor in this matchup, they need Walker to be an offensive threat, knocking down his 3-PT attempts consistently.

Knicks: Has Evan Fournier lived up to his contract expectations early in the season?

November 26, 2021 by Olivier Dumont

Following their first playoff berth in eight seasons, the New York Knicks decided to build on their foundational groundwork this summer by investing in key players on their roster and tacking on more talent over free agency.

After they resigned point guard Derrick Rose to a three-year, $43 million-dollar deal and granted Julius Randle a contract extension of $117 million over the next four years, the Knicks also acquired point guard Kemba Walker to a two-year deal worth $17.9 million.

However, the biggest and most volatile acquisition the Knicks pulled off over the summer, was the sign-and-trade deal they made with the Boston Celtics for shooting guard Evan Fournier. Coming off an impressive Olympic performance with the French national team over the summer, the Knicks decided to pay Fournier the big bucks, signing him to a four-year deal worth $78 million dollars.

Until Randle’s contract extension kicks in next season, Fournier is currently the highest paid Knick on the roster, a reality that hasn’t been matched just yet by the performance level he’s managed to produce this season.

In 18 games, Fournier is averaging 12.8 points per game on 41.7% shooting from the field to go along with 2.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Mind you, he’s also averaging 28.9 minutes per game and is shooting just 37.9% from 3-PT range, tying his career average. Considering Fournier’s strengths are more offensively oriented, particularly with his ability to score from the perimeter and penetrate inside, his slow start is not a good sign for the Knicks and has become a growing concern.

Over the course of November, Fournier is only averaging 10.5 points per game on 40.7% shooting from the field with a low 32.3% average from behind the arc. Although it’s still early in the season along with the fact that he’s on a well-balanced scoring team, Fournier has fallen well below his contract expectations and has struggled to find his groove with the Knicks. Despite putting together a great performance against the Lakers this past Tuesday where he dropped 26 points, this was only the second time Fournier put up 20 points or more this season.

Outside of his shortcomings and inconsistencies offensively, Fournier’s defensive woes haven’t helped his case. At the forefront of this issue, is the reality that Fournier is a flat-footed defender. Because he doesn’t stay on the balls of his feet, Fournier’s movement is clumsy, slow, and lacks agility, all too often resulting in his opponents taking easy advantage of isolation matchups against him.

In addition, Fournier has also struggled playing around screens, frequently getting stuck going over the top rather than working underneath in order to allow himself to get a hand up against his opponents. As a result, he’s become a defensive liability and has been a significant contributor towards the perimeter woes the Knicks have struggled with.

Aside from the drop in his game throughout the month of November, the greatest factor that magnifies the extremity of this issue is the company of players Fournier is a part of in terms of contractual value.

If you look at the current list of the NBA’s highest paid players, Fournier currently makes the same if not more money than Bulls shooting guard Zach Lavine, Pacers power forward Domantas Sabonis, and Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal, all of which were All Stars last year. From numbers to career credentials, Fournier doesn’t nearly match the talent level of any of these three players, and as a matter of fact, has never been selected to an All Star game (yet somehow, he’s making roughly the same amount as they are).

Despite the semi-hot start to his season in October, Fournier has really come up short with the expectations of his new contract. Although it’s his first season with the Knicks and we’re less than 20 games in, this is certainly not what the Knicks paid for and his continuous shortcomings have become a large thorn in the side of their starting lineup.

In short, Fournier has failed to live up to his role so far since arriving in New York and has proven to be a costly investment the Knicks might regret. And if he doesn’t turn around his slump soon, it would come to no surprise if the Knicks removed him from the starting rotation indefinitely.

Knicks: Just how much better is Immanuel Quickley playing this season?

November 25, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks have relied heavily on their second unit to supplement the starting team in recent days, but without the stellar play of second-year guard Immanuel Quickley, the Knicks might be in a state of peril.

Coming off an impressive victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, Quickley posted 14 points, the most off the bench and only fewer than Julius Randle and Evan Fournier. Quickley hit 50% of his three-point shots, attempting eight in the contest, picking up three assists and three rebounds in the process.

With veteran point guard Derrick Rose missing the game, Quickley was utilized more, earning 22 minutes of action. This season, Quickley is averaging 8.9 points, 2.2 assists, and is shooting 39.4% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. However, his last few games showcase a player taking massive developmental steps forward.

The Kentucky product has produced double-digit points in four of his last five games, connecting on 50% or more from three-point range in four of them. In the month of November, Quickley is hitting 43.5% from the field and 43.1% from three-point range, picking up double-digit points in seven of 12 total games.

As the month has progressed, his minutes have also increased, showing Tom Thibodeau’s confidence and faith in the young guard. However, it’s not only his offense that has taken a step forward, it is his defense as well.

Quickley has portrayed fantastic press and full-court defense, making life far more difficult for teams looking to dominate the perimeter. His high-energy game and quickness give him a unique skill set that has translated to both sides of the ball this year. That was a major negative about his game during his rookie season, a lack of defensive positioning and understanding. Experience has done the young player well, and he is producing at a level that justifies starting minutes in the future.

Taking a look at his advanced metrics, Quickley has experiences increases in multiple categories. His percentage of points made through the three-point shot has risen from 48.4% to 55.9% the season. His points in transition have increased from 6.8% to 14.3%, and his two-point field goals have largely been off assists, running at a 50% rate compared to 19.8% last season.

Interestingly, Quickley has relied more on his teammates to feed him the ball inside the arc, but beyond, he’s seen a sizable uptick in unassisted three-point shots at 46.7% compared to 39% in his rookie season.

Quickley has gotten smarter with a ball in his hands, passing more efficiently and finding better spots on the floor to produce. His development has been a catalyst on offense for New York, but he has matched it with his energy on defense.

Knicks’ Julius Randle drops words of encouragement in win over Lakers: ‘That sh*t takes time’

November 24, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks gained a bit of momentum on Tuesday evening when they overcame the Los Angeles Lakers 106–100. The Knicks lead for the majority of the game, displaying a bit of dominance, stifling off a late comeback attempt by Russell Westbrook and Co.

Finally, the Knicks’ starters stepped up and had adequate performances, as Julius Randle posted 20 points and 16 rebounds. Evan Fournier pieced together a 26 point game, adding four rebounds, shooting 57.1% from the field and 66.7% from three-point range. In two of his last three games, Fournier has hit 50% or more from deep, indicating an upward trajectory with his shooting.

The starters needed time to gel, despite starting off the season strong and showcasing some of their newfound scoring prowess. However, Randle stated after the game that it takes time and poor play never broke their confidence.

“18 games in? This s**t takes time. The thing about us is we’ve stayed encouraged, we stayed positive, we’ve had highs, we’ve had lows but once it starts clicking we’re going to be a really really good team.”

Inconsistencies are natural in the NBA, but when the second team is picking up the slack, it casts a dark shadow on the starters, who have stepped up lately knowing the team needs more production from their biggest names.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau mirrored a similar message, stating:

“The ball always finds energy. If we’re doing the right things when we’re pushing the ball and we’re attacking the rim, oftentimes those are the best shots you can get.”

The Knicks did everything right against the Lakers, holding them to just 37.4% from the field and 30.6% from three-point range. They limited Anthony Davis to just 20 points, a sufficient number for a player who regularly averages 25+. While Russell Westbrook posted 31, 10 assists, and 13 rebounds, his stellar outing wasn’t enough to propel Los Angeles to a win.

New York has an incredibly difficult schedule ahead, taking on the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, and Chicago Bulls consecutively. They will need the starters to be on the top of their game if they want to emerge victorious against competitive teams.

The Knicks are watching two young pieces grow up and it’s beautiful

November 24, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

new york knicks, immanuel quickley, obi toppin

The New York Knicks powered past the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, but without two of their young productive pieces, the cards might have fallen a different way. While the starters stepped up in this contest, with Julius Randle producing 20 points and Evan Fournier contributing 26, the bench scored a combined 38 points.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau utilizes more bench pieces than not, but only three players earned action in the win: Obi Toppin, Alec Burks, and Immanuel Quickley. Burks contributed a healthy 12 points, three assists, and six rebounds, but the team’s two draft picks from 2020 stepped up in a big way.

Toppin has been a far different version of himself this season, showcasing better rebounding, physicality, positioning, and scoring production. He added 12 points and four rebounds in the win over 22 minutes. So far this season, Toppin is averaging 7.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and is shooting 55.6% from the field over 15 minutes per game.

Toppin’s transition scoring abilities have increased his value to the team, contributing electrifying moments that bring energy. His chemistry with fellow sophomore Immanuel Quickley has proved to be beneficial.

Quickley, on the other hand, scored 14 points and picked up three assists in the win. However, the sharpshooter out of Kentucky has been on a tear lately, posting double-digit points in four of his last five games. He is averaging 8.6 points, 2.1 assists, and is shooting 39% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range this season over 18.2 minutes per game.

In fact, Immanuel is shooting 52.52% from deep during that span of games, posting a high of 16 points (he hit every 3-PT attempt against the Pacers last Monday).

Some might say there is a case to be made that Quickley should be earning starting point guard minutes after utilizing the Summer League and off-season to refine specific parts of his game. His decisiveness and shot development have stood out in the month of November. His agility as a ball-handler and ability to hit shots from different angles and balances has elevated him under Thibodeau.

The development of both Toppin and Quickley is a beautiful sight, as they have become legitimate role players on a team that has relied on the second unit heavily this season. When the starters are failing to contribute, they have stepped up in a big way, leading the team and showcasing they are capable of matching opposing team’s scoring production.

Knicks 106, Lakers 100: Fournier, Randle power past Lebron-less Lakers

November 23, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks were looking for a bit of positive momentum, and they acquired that against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday evening. After falling to the Chicago Bulls and Orlando Magic in two of their last three games, the Lakers presented a formidable challenge, despite playing without LeBron James after he was suspended due to a fight against the Detroit Pistons.

The Knicks overcame Los Angeles 106–100, leading for the majority of the game and posting a double-digit advantage in the first half. New York held LA to just 20 points in the first quarter, scoring 36 of their own. Los Angeles tied the game late in the third quarter, but New York managed to stifle them, showcasing resilience and offensive production.

On the evening, the starting team performed far better, aside from Kemba Walker, who contributed just six points over 23 minutes. He played more of a facilitator role, picking up five assists. Julius Randle posted 20 points, five assists, and a game-high 16 rebounds, 15 of which were defensive.

Randle has stepped away from taking three-point shots as his primary factor, relying on his physicality down low, finishing around the rim, and hitting mid-range shots. He finished 7-of-17 on the game, converting 5-of-8 free-throw attempts.

The primary catalyst for the Knicks was shooting guard Evan Fournier, who played a team-high 42 minutes, posting 26 points, two assists, and four rebounds. Fournier hit 6-of-9 three-point attempts and eight total shots from the field. After weeks of struggling, Fournier finally provided a consistent game, quieting the haters for a night. Nonetheless, the big free-agent acquisition needs to be more reliable on a game-by-game basis. His disappearing act has hurt the team scoring efficiency in recent days.

Off the bench, Obi Toppin contributed 12, Alec Burks 12, and Immanuel Quickley 14. Quickly hit 50% of his three-point shots, connecting on four, adding three assists and three rebounds in the process. The impact of Toppin has been significant, as he also posted four rebounds, a block, and a steal to pair with his scoring production.

Without Derrick Rose in the lineup, the Knicks still managed to shoot 44.13% from deep and 45.1% from the field, far above the Lakers’ 30.6% and 37.4%.

Overall, this was a solid performance from New York, leading for most of the game and matching LA’s resilient attempt at a comeback. The win should provide them with a bit of momentum as they prepare for a tough portion of the schedule, taking on the Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, and Brooklyn Nets consecutively.

Knicks welcome back Carmelo Anthony, who shows eternal love for his former team

November 23, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks are looking to snap a streak of poor play against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, who will be without LeBron James after getting into a scuffle with Isaiah Stewart of the Detroit Pistons over the weekend. James was suspended for one game, so he will miss the anticipated matchup against the Knicks, with both holding similar records. The Lakers are .500 on the season, and the Knicks are just one game above an even record.

However, the team is looking forward to welcoming back Carmelo Anthony, who joined LA this offseason at 37-years-old. Anthony is contributing 15.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and shooting 46% from deep over 6.4 attempts per game, the highest mark of his career. Carmelo is actually experiencing somewhat of a resurgence in the shooting category, contributing heavily to the Lakers despite their deficiencies on defense. The Lakers have only kept one team this season below 100 points, so the Knicks have a great opportunity to right their offense, especially within the starting team.

“I always look forward to playing at the Garden, playing in front of the fans,” Anthony said, via the New York Post. “With the Knicks or against the Knicks. That love is different. That fan base is different for me. It goes deeper than basketball. They embrace me. I embrace them.”

Anthony spent seven seasons in New York, becoming the face of the franchise despite management’s inept to build a proper team around him. Carmelo expressed his love for the city and the unbreakable bond he’s created.

“I don’t think the bond between myself and New York City will ever go anywhere,” Anthony said. “That’s why I embrace it the way I do. I’m looking forward to [Tuesday]. The crowd — the Knicks are playing great basketball. They have good energy up there. We know how [Tom Thibodeau] teams are. They’re a very tough team. We know we have to come in and put our hard hat on [Tuesday] night. It will be great to get a win at the Garden. I’ll tell you that.”

Melo went on to offer some words of encouragement for the Knicks, indicating his appreciation for signing Kemba walker this off-season.

“I love the signing with Kemba,” Anthony said. “I don’t know what took Leon so long to get that done. It was like perfect timing. He had an opportunity to get out of [Oklahoma City] and Leon jumped right on it and brought Kemba in. New York native, home, had a lot of success in the Garden in college. He’s from The Bronx. This is home. I know the feeling that he’s playing with. I know what he’s dealing with being from here and putting on the uniform. I’m glad Kemba is home.”

Despite Walker struggling up to this point, the hope is that he will end up being a productive and electric scorer as the team continues to build chemistry and gel. Considering the Lakers’ poor defense, this would be a great opportunity to take advantage and get right before Thanksgiving.

3 keys for the Knicks to take down overhyped Lakers team

November 23, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks a preparing to take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday evening, and while their opposition has struggled this season, they contain three of the most dominant players in basketball featuring in the starting five.

With the Knicks coming off a disappointing defeat to the Chicago Bulls, in which Julius Randle was the only starter to earn double-digit points, they will have arguably a taller task against the Lakers, who’re capable of scoring an exorbitant amount despite a lack of defensive efficiency at times.

The Lakers have allowed over 100 points in nearly every single game this season, featuring one of the worst defenses in basketball, and without LeBron James having been suspended against the Detroit Pistons, the Knicks might have an easier chance to emerge victorious.

Three keys for the Knicks against the Lakers on Tuesday night:

1.) The Knicks need MORE from Kemba and Fournier

The Knicks simply need more from Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, who combined for 10 points against Chicago over 41 total minutes. Fournier is shooting 35.5% from deep and averaging 12.1 points per game, but his assist numbers are down significantly compared to last season.

When Fournier and Walker are struggling offensively, they are virtually useless on the floor, given their vulnerabilities on defense. Unless they can take a step forward and hit their shots efficiently, the Knicks will once again be relying on the second team to pick up the slack, which isn’t a sustainable strategy moving forward.

2.) Elite defense

The Knicks played well in the first three quarters against Chicago on Sunday but allowed 37 points in the fourth, giving the game away when it mattered most. They held them to 21 points in the third quarter, showcasing solid perimeter defense and interior physicality.

However, the Lakers feature Anthony Davis, the team’s leading scorer with 24.6 points on average per game. They also have Russell Westbrook, averaging 19.3 points. Both are capable of dominating in the paint and showcasing elite athleticism, so Tom Thibodeau will need his big man ready to play.

Los Angeles is currently the 12th ranked three-point shooting team, but they don’t take many attempts from deep given their dominance inside. The Knicks need to maintain their perimeter defense and collapse appropriately, using their more powerful players to help clog the paint.

3.) Starters need to SCORE

As stated above, if Fournier and Walker fail to contribute, the Knicks will be in for another long night. Julius Randle is coming off a 34 point performance, providing a bit of hope he can build some momentum. The team also needs more from third-year guard RJ Barrett, who has been horrific from three-point range lately, failing to hit a single shot from deep in two of his last three games. His percentage has plummeted to 30.5, despite averaging 14.9 points.

Sooner or later, the starters will come around. This would be a great game to pick up a much-needed win against a tough Lakers team.

Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau says ‘everyone has to understand what their job is’ after loss to Bulls

November 22, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks are facing an uphill battle, sitting just one win above .500 on the season. Having lost four of their last six games, New York needs to find a catalyst for success. While they currently rank 2nd in the Atlantic Standings, poor play from their starters has dragged the team down significantly in recent days.

Against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday evening, the Knicks fell by six points, and without a notable performance by Julius Randle, earning 34 points and 10 rebounds over 39 minutes, this game would’ve been far out of reach.

Several starters have been inconsistent as of late, including Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier, who combine for 10 points in the loss. Fournier has shot above 33% from deep just once this season against the Houston Rockets this past Saturday. After offering him a four-year, $73 million deal, the team expected more out of him in terms of shooting efficiency and scoring production.

Walker, on the other hand, has also been a liability at times, scoring double-digit points just three times in November. He’s shooting a measly 28% from three-point range this month, which is far different than his career 36% shooting from deep.

After the loss to Chicago, head coach Tom Thibodeau brushed off any excuses, indicating injuries aren’t a justification for poor play. The Knicks have been dealing with injuries to Nerlens Noel, Mitchell Robinson, and Taj Gibson.

“Well, we’ve had guys out all year, so just figure it out,” Thibodeau said. “Everyone’s here for a reason, everyone’s capable. Everyone has to understand what their job is and go in and do your job, that’s the bottom line.”

With Robinson and Gibson out, the Knicks relied on Noel despite a sore right knee. They tried to exercise Jericho Sims for a few minutes and use Obi Toppin in the paint. RJ Barrett stepped up in the rebounding category, collecting 15 on the evening.

However, if the Knicks want to start winning games and playing at a higher level, Thibodeau knows what needs to be done.

“We got to build consistency,” Thibodeau said. “And so understand what went wrong, what we have to fix, what we did well and get ready for the next game. That’s the challenge of the season, so not to change. The games keep coming, sometimes the schedule is in your favor, sometimes it’s not. So you have to handle it the same way, just get ready for the game.”

One player who’s helping drag the Knicks’ offense down

November 22, 2021 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks lost a competitive game against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday evening, despite a dominant performance from Julius Randle, scoring 34 points over 39 minutes. However, the starting unit as a whole has been wildly inconsistent as of late, dragging the team down and forcing the second unit to pick up the slack, which isn’t sustainable over the course of an entire season against quality opponents.

One of the Knicks’ most significant liabilities early in the year has been free agent acquisition Evan Fournier, who signed a four-year, $73 million deal to feature as the team’s shiny new shooting guard. Fournier was expected to bring elite shooting with creation abilities, replacing Reggie Bullock and his spot-up style. However, his entire game is changing based on the advanced analytics, showcasing a player who isn’t scoring enough on his own and missing easy opportunities to produce, putting more pressure on the defense.

“Very inconsistent, obviously,” Fournier said at Knicks practice Friday. “Kind of like what we’ve been doing as a team, to be honest.

“We’ve had really good games. We’ve had bad games. … In [15] games, you’ve seen my best and worst already.”

Fournier tried to chalk it up as a team issue, but he simply isn’t playing at the top of his game, posting just three points on 1-of-7 shooting from the field in the loss to Chicago. In fact, over the last five games, he has only breached seven points once, against a league-worst Huston Rockets team, where he posted 19 on 53.8% shooting.

Oddly, the Knicks’ new piece started the year with efficient scoring production, posting double-digit outings in four of his first five contests. Since then, he’s landed in the five points per game range on average, watching his shooting percentage plummet and his minutes decrease because of it. If you ignore his one positive performance, which seems to be an anomaly among a sample size of negative outings, he hasn’t shot above 33% from deep once this entire season.

Looking into his statistics further, his percent of three-point field goals made unassisted has dropped significantly this year to just 2.6% after posting 17+ percent over the past two seasons. In addition, his percent of points off turnovers has plummeted to 6.4% after recording above 10% in every season since entering the NBA. His free-throw points have dropped astronomically and most of his points are coming off assisted shots, showing a lack of creation and efficiency.

Ultimately, Fournier simply isn’t producing at a level he’s used to, which is likely a direct result of fewer minutes and a team not necessarily needing him to take the reins on an everyday basis. He clearly lacks confidence and doesn’t have great defensive attributes or metrics to justify him staying on the court if he’s not offensively productive.

Tom Thibodeau is going to have to make some tough decisions in the coming days, and it is going to start with reducing Fournier’s minutes to a complementary role until he can improve his shooting.