Marcus Morris

Changing Randle can help make the New York Knicks less miserable

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New York Knicks, David Fizdale, Julius Randle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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New York Knicks

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

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

Is it time to root for a tank?

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

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

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

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

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 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.

Coby White’s rookie 3-point record hands New York Knicks 9th loss

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New York Knicks, David Fizdale

The New York Knicks season is starting to become a comedy show.  The Knicks got their ninth defeat of the season by the hands of the Chicago Bulls, 120-102.  The games are laughable and that’s really all fans can do at this point.

Knicks head coach David Fizdale is on hot seat from GM Steve Mills and President Steve Mills.  Fans would think that Fizdale would have the team fired up for this game.  For the initial beginning of the game, the Knicks were more energetic then previous contests.

The defense was playing up to a decent standard.  The offense was getting to the rim easily and utilizing the pick-and-roll nicely.  However, when they got to the rim, getting the ball in the hoop was a challenge.  But it was good to see them attacking.  RJ Barrett was man leading the Knicks charge to the rim.

However, as all Knicks fans should know, a blowout is always coming.  It was just a matter of time before the Knicks let their guard down and the Bulls go on a run.  The Bulls went on a 20-2 run in the first half and, of course, the Knicks had to scratch and claw there was back.

Unfortunately, this time was not like the previous meeting, where the Knicks came back for the win.

The Knicks had a lot of issues in this game that were infuriating.  It begins with Julius Randle and Marcus Morris.  Both players are gunners.  They can’t be on the floor at the time same.

Morris couldn’t hit water from a boat last night but he continued to chuck them.  He was 6-17 from the field with 22 points.  Similarly, Randle can’t shoot from beyond the arc, 1-5 on the night, but he doesn’t shy away from bombing them.

Those two ruin the flow of the game for the Knicks and only want to play one-on-one basketball.  That is not going to win you games.  However, besides Barrett, no one else is scoring so they have to take more shots?  The offense continue to have no real scheme.  Utilizing the pick-and-roll is what makes the team look competent, why go away from that?

The game was tied up at 89 in the 4th then Coby White took over.  He set the Bulls rookie record for 3’s in a quarter with 7.  After White shot the lights out of the gym, the Knicks were so down on themselves there was no coming back.  The New York Knicks fall to 2-9 on the season and look like winning over 10 games will be a struggle.

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.

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.