New York Knicks

Knicks may have something special in rookie point guard

by
miles mcbride, knicks

The New York Knicks may be on a four-game losing streak, but they have plenty of things to be optimistic about. Whether it be the 27-point performance from Quentin Grimes against the Toronto Raptors or Miles McBride bleeding confidence on the floor against Golden State, the Knicks have a few spark plugs.

Grimes was projected to take a more prominent role before being ruled out due to Covid health and safety protocols. The Houston product showcased aggressive defense with superb shooting from range, setting a Knicks rookie record with seven three-point shots made.

However, in McBride‘s first legitimate action of the season, he proved he could stand on his own 2 feet without much support. An electrifying step-back jumper from three-point range in the first half stood out as his highlight of the evening, contributing eight points and four rebounds. He hit 50% of his shots from deep and connected on 37.5% from the field.

McBride has been working diligently off the court to prepare for this moment, dominating in G-League performances to prove his value.

“We see it in practice, when he’s had opportunities in the G-League, he’s played really well there as well,’’ Thibodeau stated after the loss to Golden State. “He played well in the summer league. It’s good for him to have an opportunity like that. All the things that he’s working on every day and then to get into a game situation and to see it unfold, it’s good, it’s positive. Our young guys are really hard playing and they’re coming along.’’

Even veteran point guard Derrick Rose spoke to the confidence of McBride and how great he looked against Golden State, stating, “hopefully Thibs gives him the time.”

During G-League play, McBride is averaging 26.8 points per game on 40.5% shooting from three and 48.2% from the field. His 57.1% effective field goal percentage is fantastic, and he’s  73.2% of his attempts unassisted, indicating play-making ability.

The West Virginia standout primarily focuses on shots from less than 5 feet (22 of 85 attempts) in accordance to the rim and between the 25–29 foot range (28 of 85 attempts). While he doesn’t have much of a pull-up jumper game or mid-range, he’s highly efficient from beyond the arc and close to the basket.

Against legitimate NBA talent, those numbers will undoubtedly level out, but seeing his sustainable success in the G-League is motivating for his future. In addition to his scoring proficiency, McBride is also a stellar defender with a sleight of hand attribute. He is incredibly quick to intercept passes, notably having the biggest hands of any guard in the most recent draft class.

Given the team continues to deal with Covid related absences, McBride is deserving of another opportunity to showcase his skill set. Against a struggling Houston Rockets team, Thibodeau should provide him with added minutes.

Knicks’ Mitchell Robinson posts vaguely targeted Instagram story after tough loss to Golden State

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mitchell robinson, knicks

One of the Knicks‘ biggest problems this year is the lack of a scoring big man, going with a traditional strategy at the five, including Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel.

Both of their primary centers are known for their rebounding and defending, but the Knicks had big hopes for Robinson coming off a season struck with injury, including a fractured foot and hand. Unfortunately, the 23-year-old center has failed to take a significant jump in production on both sides of the ball.

In fact, Robinson has seen a decrease in the number of statistics, including points, blocks, and even rebounds, compared to his 2020–21 season, showcased by a similar sample size at this point the season.

After adding a significant amount of muscle to provide more physicality inside, Robinson has dealt with stamina and fatigue issues. His inability to remain potent and aggressive on the court has become a liability at times, something he has mentioned in recent days.

However, after the Knicks’ resilient loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening, Robinson posted a vaguely targeted Instagram story. Some believe it is aimed at free-agent acquisition Evan Fournier, who has provided little to nothing defensively and has been incredibly consistent with his shooting.

Robinson specifically mentioned running for cardio and playing help defense, which could be a statement from head coach Tom Thibodeau and what the team needs to improve on, or specifically what the coaches are telling him.

With the team losing seven of their last eight games and four consecutive, it is possible Robinson could be on his way out via trade at the deadline in a few months. The front office has been connected to a variety of players, including Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.

One way or another, Robinson has put himself in a place to be traded, especially after his failure to take a step forward this season. The Knicks need another scoring threat inside who can also shoot from range, suggesting Robinson is a liability on offense. New York doesn’t necessarily need him as a transition player, given Obi Toppin’s rise and incredible athleticism on dunks.

Unless Mitchell can elevate his game to a level we haven’t seen before, the front office will likely include him in a trade if they manage to execute one at the deadline this year.

The Knicks are facing a challenge that will make or break them

by
new york knicks, julius randle

The Knicks currently host a four-game losing streak, losing seven of their last eight competitions. At this point in the season, they face a challenge that will either make or break them with the season still young. Tom Thibodeau and his squad have plenty of time to turn a corner and get back into winning form, but it’s going to take every ounce of effort and a lot of hard work to get there.

The players have been vocal about the time required to build chemistry, especially after signing Evan Fournier to a four-year contract in free agency. Kemba Walker has already been factored out of the equation after being bench due to defensive ineptitude. However, Fournier remains a liability on both sides of the ball, recording just two points in the 105–96 lost to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening.

All-star power forward Julius Randle had encouraging words after the game, indicating his team will get it done, regarding a turnaround:

“We’ll see what happens. Not we’ll see what happens, we’re going to get it done. We’re going to figure it out.”

Randle scored 31 points in the defeat over 37 minutes. He shot 10 of 21 from the field and 5 of 8 from three-point range, including seven rebounds and three assists. With New York shorthanded, playing without RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes due to COVID-19 health protocols, they were forced to rely on reserve players like Miles McBride and Kevin Knox.

Covid issues and injury have hurt the team in recent days, but they were struggling well before these problems presented themselves.

In fact, the Knicks have been dealing with identity issues all season long after featuring one of the top defenses in the NBA last season in a miraculous turnaround. While Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock undoubtedly took the brunt of the blame for a lack of scoring proficiency, it is clear they offered essential defensive positioning and spacing to keep the team competitive.

This season, Thibodeau‘s squad lacks communication and effort at times, allowing Golden State to post 49 rebounds on them compared to just 35 of their own. New York is witnessing a dramatic drop-off in statistical production, dropping to 13th in rebounds per game and 22nd in points.

It is entirely possible the front office makes a few moves at the trade deadline, as they’ve been connected to a myriad of players, including Ben Simmons and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.

Whether they actually strike a deal or not is yet to be seen, but their issues aren’t going to be solved by the injection of talent. The Knicks need to be more physical and play disciplined basketball first and foremost — two solvable problems they simply haven’t managed to decode.

At some point, the players need to back up their words, providing plenty of motivational quotes and statements but failing to replicate it via action. It reminds me plenty of New York Giants head coach Joe Judge and his empty promised coach speak.

Nonetheless, if the Knicks can fight their way out of this current funk and string together a few victories, it will be for the best. Good teams find ways to solve their problems mid-season without needing additional support via trade. There is no question they have all the talent in the world, but playing cohesive basketball with a strategy has been problematic. They can redefine themselves in the coming weeks, and it starts with piecing together a few winds to brew confidence.

Curry reminds Knicks of what they missed but McBride offers hope

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Knicks Curry McBride

The special night belonged to Stephen Curry.

He broke Ray Allen’s record for the most three-pointers in NBA history, and his Golden State Warriors came away with a 105-96 win over the New York Knicks Tuesday night at the Garden.

But the Knicks could take solace on squeezing another solid performance from one of their recent draft picks.

Miles McBride, the 36th pick of the draft, seized the opportunity to show he belongs and deserves to share the court with Curry. With the Knicks missing three players (RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes) due to health and safety protocols, McBride was Tom Thibodeau’s ninth man in the rotation.

After checking in for Evan Fournier in the final six seconds of the opening quarter, McBride quickly made his presence felt. He opened the second quarter with his first stepback three-pointer.

With some razzle-dazzle dribbling, the 6-foot-1 McBride shook off Damian Lee, then used Mitchell Robinson’s screen to lose his bigger defender. After creating the space, he stepped back to the right corner and avoided Nemanja Bjelica’s closeout.

Six minutes later, he did it again against the Warriors’ defensive stalwart Juan Toscano-Anderson from the right elbow.

Mcbride’s two beautiful stepback three-pointers helped the Knicks build a 46-38 lead before the Warriors stormed back and cut the deficit at the half to a solitary point, 48-47.

Buoyed by his stellar first half, McBride got a longer leash in the final two quarters. The rookie out of West Virginia ended up playing a season-high 20 minutes. He responded with eight points on 3 of 8 shooting and went 2 for 4 from downtown. He added four rebounds and one assist with no turnover, showing nerves of steel for a rookie.

“We see it in practice. When he’s had opportunities in the G-League, he’s played really well there as well. He played well in the summer league. It’s good for him to have an opportunity like that,” Thibodeau said of McBride. “All the things that he’s working on every day and then to get into a game situation and to see it unfold, it’s good, it’s positive. Our young guys are really playing hard, and they’re coming along.”

McBride’s confidence was oozing all night. Even the shots that he missed, he took them with conviction. There was no sign of hesitation.

Four impressive games in the G League prepared McBride for his moment. He dominated the G League competition with monster numbers — 26.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 9.5 assists, and 1.3 steals — and shot 40.5 percent from the three-point territory on 9.3 attempts.

“Deuce is a good player, man,” Derrick Rose said. His confidence is very high. His defense is top-tier. He just needs the time. Hopefully, Thibs gives him the time. But we know how good he is. And we know how good the rookies are. So it’s all about opportunity in this league.”

Thibodeau constantly harped about “confidence comes from preparation.”

McBride is another proof of that Thibodeau’s tenet.

When preparation met opportunity, he grabbed it, and he never let it go. McBride was the only Knicks player who finished with a positive (+4) plus-minus.

Barring any trade that would bring in a solid Kemba Walker replacement in the coming days, McBride figures to play more minutes moving forward as they continue to miss their COVID-19 stricken teammates.

McBride leapfrogging Walker in the rotation could be the final sign that the former four-time All-Star point guard is on his way out of New York. Walker and Fournier, who had a season-low two points on 1 of 5 shooting, will be trade-eligible beginning Wednesday.

Thibodeau remained steadfast with his decision to sit out Walker despite the Knicks sliding to their seventh loss in the last eight games — their record since he yanked the New York-bred point guard out of the rotation.

“You just want to put your team in a position to win. If you look at the games and you go through the games, there’s some really good stuff, and there’s some stuff that, obviously, has to be better,” Thibodeau reasoned out.

While Golden State coach Steve Kerr has it all figured out with the Warriors thanks to the continuity of their championship core led by Curry, Thibodeau is still learning more about his team.

“I think we’re finding some stuff out about some [of our] young guys. I love our young guys. When Jericho [Sims] stepped in, he played well (in Atlanta). When Quentin (Grimes) stepped in, he played well. I thought Deuce (Miles McBride) played well tonight. So, you know, we need everyone.”

What is becoming more apparent is that the Knicks’ offseason acquisitions — Walker and Fournier — have been a major flop. Their rookies’ promising showing somehow provides the silver lining amid a disastrous start.

Curry capped his 22-point (5 of 14 3s) performance with the dagger three-pointer in the final 2:41.

Curry’s historic night was a painful reminder of what the Knicks missed in the 2009 NBA Draft. They came one pick away from perhaps their greatest selection since Patrick Ewing.

The Warriors scuttled their plan.

To the victor belongs the spoils. To the loser belongs the lessons.

After several draft misses, finally, the Knicks appear to have had hit their recent picks.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Warriors 105, Knicks 96: Curry takes 3-Pt crown, overcoming resilient Knicks in the process

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knicks, julius randle, steph curry

The New York Knicks dropped their fourth consecutive game on Tuesday night, courtesy of Steph Curry and his elite three-point shooting. The Knicks have now lost seven of their last eight games, with their most recent victory coming against the San Antonio Spurs last week.

Curry, who needed just two three-point shots to break Ray Allen’s all-time record, sniped the go-ahead basket early in the first quarter, securing the 2,974th three-point shot in his career. Of course, Madison Square Garden was a perfect place for him to break the record, on the biggest stage in basketball where they honored him with a full stoppage of play and several minutes of celebration.

Only during a Knicks home game would you see such a fantastic display for a player on the opposing team, but it was worthwhile given Curry’s illustrious career.

However, New York has once again found themselves between a rock and a hard place, attempting to break free from the chains of lackluster communication and defense efficiency. For the second straight game, the Knicks have allowed 105 points or more.

Over the past eight games, the Knicks have only held one opponent below 100 points, the Toronto Raptors, who scored 90. Unfortunately, when the Knicks’ defense is playing well, their offense flounders.

In the defeat to Golden State, the Knicks shot well from three-point range, hitting 38.1%, but connected on just 36% from the field in total, an abysmal number. Overall, they were outrebounded 49–35 and had 10 fewer assists than Golden State, who posted 28.

Unfortunately, the Knicks were without RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and Quentin Grimes, which held them back significantly. If not for COVID-19 health and safety protocols affecting their lineup, the Knicks may have escaped with a win against one of the hottest teams in basketball. Instead, they will look ahead to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night to get back in the win column.

Knicks’ Quentin Grimes ruled ‘out’ due to COVID protocols after career performance

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quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks are preparing to face off against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night, but they had already ruled out RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin from the contest due to COVID-19 health protocols. After coming in contact with a positive case against Toronto, the Knicks were forced to play against the Milwaukee Bucks shorthanded, but rookie guard Quentin Grimes stepped up and had a career night.

Grimes posted 27 points on 53.8%, shooting from three-point range and 53% shooting from the field. He hit seven 3-PT shots, a rookie record for New York.

However, Grimes was ruled out early on Tuesday against Golden State, representing another player to be stifled by Covid.

The players are required to have two negative tests within a 24-hour span to return before the 10 day maximum, meaning the earliest Grimes can make a return is on Christmas Day, given he tests negative twice by Wednesday morning.

After his breakout performance, head coach Tom Thibodeau was likely looking to utilize Grimes in a more prominent role, especially with Barrett and Toppin still out. Unfortunately, that will have to wait. The Knicks have a tough stretch of games coming up against Golden State, Houston, and the Boston Celtics.

The Knicks should put more trust in their rookie guard against Golden State

by
quentin grimes, knicks

The New York Knicks were most recently embarrassed by the Milwaukee Bucks at home for their third consecutive loss, but they did walk away with one silver lining, the performance of rookie guard Quentin Grimes.

The Knicks allowed every Milwaukee starter to post double-digit points, but Grimes shined for the Knicks, recording 27 points, three steals, three assists, and three rebounds. His defense wasn’t altogether impressive, but a lack of communication and bully-ball by Milwaukee hurt New York’s efficiency, which has dropped to 25th in the league on the defensive side.

Life doesn’t get any easier this week as Tom Thibodeau and his squad prepare to face off against the Golden State Warriors. The Knicks will likely be without RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin once again, who’ve both entered COVID-19 protocols after coming in contact with a positive case against the Raptors.

The Warriors have bounced back from a tough season last year to once again being a dominant team, hosting a 21–5 record. While they have been a bit inconsistent as of late, coming off a 93 point dud against the Philadelphia 76ers, they represent a far more formidable team compared to New York.

Similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo, stopping Steph Curry is simply impossible. Limiting him is your best bet, especially since he’s shooting 40% from three-point range and attempting 13.4 per game, a career-high. Based on those numbers, he’s simply playing at an ungodly level, and he’s only a few three-point shots away from breaking Ray Allen’s all-time record.

Averaging 27.1 points per game, Curry constantly needs to be pressured with an on-ball defender, which is where Grimes may come into play. The expectation is that Alec Burks will return as the team starting point guard, but Grimes should earn significant minutes against Golden State, especially after setting a Knicks record with seven 3-PT point shots made, hitting on 53.8% from deep.

Ultimately, they need to continue building off that confidence and not stifle his progression. Given Quentin’s high-energy style of play and aggressive on-ball defending, he could be the perfect matchup on Curry. At this point, it’s worth a shot. We could see a healthy rotation of Immanuel Quickley and Grimes on Curry throughout, keeping both fresh and a defender in his face all game.

Knicks showcase Kevin Knox as trade interests pick up steam

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New York Knicks, Kevin Knox

The writing is on the wall.

Kevin Knox’s failure to crack Tom Thibodeau’s regular rotation speaks volumes of his bleak future with the New York Knicks.

Following Knox’s best game of the season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported on Monday that the seldom-used Knicks forward is garnering interests from rival executives. Knox is eligible to become a restricted free agent in 2022.

“Sources said teams are inquiring about Knicks forward Kevin Knox, who has played in just seven games this season and has rival executives wondering the plan for the 22-year-old in New York,” Charania wrote.

Knox got his rare chance to play meaningful minutes on Sunday with RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin (health and safety protocols) and Alec Burks (personal reasons) skipping Sunday’s 112-97 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

The former lottery pick did his best to showcase his potential to future Knicks’ trade partners.

Knox knocked down five three-pointers on his way to 18 points in 29 minutes. He grabbed five rebounds and added one assist and a steal off the bench which drew praise from Thibodeau.

“[Kevin] comes in every day. He’s early. He’s part of the early group. A lot of those guys aren’t in the rotation but [their job] is to stay ready so, when you’re called upon that you can perform well. We know he’s got the skill level to shoot and it’s the other things that we need him to do are defense and rebounding also. But I was pleased with his readiness and his ability to shoot the ball,” Thibodeau said.

When the Knicks are at full strength, Knox’s only floor time is during garbage minutes. Sunday’s game was only Knox’s seventh game of the season. He has fallen off since showing promise in his rookie year. The 2018 9th overall pick averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 75 games, including a career-high 57 starts, as a rookie.

The knock on Knox is his lack of motor and defensive skills.

In a one-on-one trade, it is unclear what the Knicks could get in return for Knox. During last season’s trade deadline, the Knicks swapped Dennis Smith, Jr., another former Knick who fell out of favor, for Derrick Rose. But currently, the Knicks rotation is complete. So there’s not a spot for a veteran player to come in unless they also unload a key rotation player.

A future pick is a more likely return for Knox to add to the Knicks’ draft capital for a potential deal for a star down the road.

Knox could also serve as a throw-in in a larger package deal before the trade deadline. The Knicks have been linked to Philadelphia’s disgruntled star Ben Simmons.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

What a Ben Simmons trade could look like for Knicks

by
knicks, julius randle

The New York Knicks have emerged as one of the several teams interested in trading for disgruntled Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons.

Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the latest intel on Simmons on Monday.

The Knicks are struggling to perform to expectations following their first playoff appearance in eight years. Their offseason acquisitions — Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier — have not panned out well. They will be eligible to be traded starting Wednesday along with several players the Knicks re-signed last summer.

The 25-year old Simmons would fit Tom Thibodeau’s defensive style. But his character, especially his mental toughness, is questionable in the aftermath of his falling out with the Sixers organization. Add to that a shaky perimeter shot that hasn’t improved since his rookie season. But a fresh start in a new environment could reinvigorate Simmons.

However, the big question for the Knicks is if Simmons could not stand Philadelphia’s tough love, how much more in New York where pressure has driven executives, coaches, and players out of the city in the past?

Can Simmons thrive under Thibodeau’s culture of accountability?

The next question is, how can they meet 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey’s stiff asking price?

Morey is reportedly still eyeing an All-Star caliber player and/or multiple first-round draft picks for Simmons.

The Knicks have plenty of draft capital to move in a potential Simmons deal. They own all their future first-round picks plus future first-round picks from Charlotte (top-18 protected in 2022, top-16 protected in 2023, top-14 protected in 2024), and Dallas (top-10 protected in 2023).

But the Knicks have only Julius Randle as their All-Star. But he is not eligible to be traded until February 3 next year. Walker is two years removed from his last All-Star. But his current benching isn’t helping his value.

The Sixers, though, would be an ideal landing spot for Walker. His veteran leadership and still potent jump shot could spur a better dynamic with Joel Embiid than Simmons. That is if Walker’s balky knees cooperate. Walker has missed two games in a pair of back-to-back sets before his demotion.

Simmons landing in New York is a long shot unless the Knicks find a third team or the 76ers are amenable to getting Walker, one of the Knicks’ young players, and a combination of salary fillers plus future first-round pick/s.

The Knicks have stiff competition from the Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers, and Cleveland Cavaliers, per Charania’s report.

Most of their rivals have a surplus of All-Star caliber players in their current roster. But the Knicks have the advantage of having a deeper draft capital.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

 

2 factors dragging the New York Knicks into the abyss

by
knicks, julius randle

The New York Knicks are currently on a three-game losing streak and have dropped six of their last seven games. Despite benching Kemba Walker on November 26, they still host the 25th ranked defense with a 110.5 defensive rating.

The Knicks have also experienced a significant drop off with their shooting, currently ranking 10th in three-point percentage at 36% after starting the year strong in the category. In addition, they’ve also dropped to 22nd in total points per game at 105.8. Their field goal percentage is 24th in the NBA, landing at 43.8%, and their rebounding has fallen out of the top 10.

Altogether, the team has struggled on both sides of the ball, and head coach Tom Thibodeau is floundering to find a player combination that can pick up the slack. However, he lacks a few key pieces to his team, which have held him back from sustaining his team’s defensive identity. The players have also noted a lack of energy and effort during games, which is an unacceptable justification for poor performances.

Two factors the Knicks are severely lacking:

A true leader on and off the court:

When the Knicks signed Julius Randle to a massive four-year, $117 million extension, they expected him to be a leader on and off the court. Randle has spent more time jarring at the referees than actually leading his team with effort and by example. Randle has seen natural regression take hold of his game, averaging just 19.1 points, and shooting 42% from the field and 32.6% from three point range.

Thibodeau has continued to rely on Randle to be their clutch player at the end of games, but has failed to come through, turning the ball over seven times against the Milwaukee Bucks in the team’s most recent defeat and failing to hit a big shot against the Toronto Raptors to tie the game with seconds left on the clock last Friday.

Randle isn’t known for his outgoing personality, and his constant complaining during games for missed calls has done nothing but harm to his team. The Knicks lack a true leader to help will them out of funks, and after the exile of Walker, one of their more extroverted players, they put themselves between a rock and a hard place.

A scoring big man who can shoot:

The Knicks have relied on traditional big men like Nerlens Noel and Mitchell Robinson for the past few seasons, but it may be time to change up their strategy.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner has been connected to the Knicks as of late, indicating he doesn’t feel valued in his role with Indiana, making a potential trade all the more likely. If the front office is able to acquire a player like Turner, they would find themselves in a far better position, given his elite scoring abilities at the 5.

With Noel averaging 3.8 points and Robinson contributing 6.9 points this season per game, the team is primarily depending on them to be rebounders and defensive players. Considering the Knicks rank in the bottom-5 in defensive efficiency, it may be time to shake things up, and trading for Turner would be a big step in the right direction.