RJ Barrett

Knicks blow away 15-pt lead in humbling loss on NBA’s 75th anniversary

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knicks, julius randle

On November 1, 1946, the New York Knickerbockers fended off Toronto Huskies’ rally to win, 68-66, in the historic opener of the inaugural Basketball Association of America (BAA), the predecessor of the NBA.

The New York Knicks couldn’t hold on to their lead on Monday night like they did 75 years ago.

The surging Raptors, now representing Toronto, returned the favor and dealt the Knicks a humbling loss, 113-104, at the Madison Square Garden.

The Raptors beat the Knicks at their own game, outhustling and outshooting them in the final 29 minutes of the game.

Julius Randle had a strong start with 18 first-quarter points and three of the Knicks’ seven assists. With Randle in his element, the Knicks’ offense was humming. They connected on 8 of 13 three-pointers to start the game. Then the ball stopped moving, and the shots ceased falling.

Randle only had four points and two assists the rest of the way. The Knicks just made 13 assists and 8 of 25 from deep after that torrid start.

“We lost the lead, got back on our heels. They were the aggressors. That’s basically the story of the game,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau lamented.

Toronto charged back from a 15-point New York lead in the final 4:32 of the second quarter. A Raptors’ 18-7 closing run built around four three-pointers trimmed the Knicks’ lead to four at the half, 57-53.

“That’s where the game turned. We turned the ball over, we gave them fast breaks, and then we gave them hope. Then the third quarter we got drilled,” Thibodeau added.

In that pivotal third quarter, the defense that became Knicks’ ticket to the playoffs last season was non-existent. The Raptors outscored them, 38-22, and seized a 91-79 lead that ballooned to as many as 15. The Knicks got no closer than nine points.

It was an embarrassing second-half effort in front of some Knicks legends who were feted at halftime for making it to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team.

If Randle wants to join them soon, he certainly didn’t make a strong case on this forgettable loss.

OG Anunoby outshone him with a career-high 36 points to power the Raptors to their fourth straight win. He was also responsible for locking up Randle in the final three quarters.

Knicks’ third-year wing RJ Barrett stayed hot following his career-high 35-point performance in New Orleans. The Toronto native tried to rally New York with 27 points on 9 of 13 shooting against his hometown team. But it was simply not enough.

The loss ended the Knicks’ three-game win streak. It also marked their second home loss, which came at the hands of perceived lesser opponents.

“It’s the Garden. We try to protect the Garden at all costs, and we didn’t do that tonight,” Barrett said. “They played harder than us, and in the NBA, most of the time, the harder playing team’s gonna win.”

The undermanned Raptors entered the game as a plus-7 underdog. But they hammered out the win by outmuscling the Knicks, 48-41, in the glass.

They outhustled them too.

Toronto was plus-seven in offensive rebounds, which led to a 16-8 advantage in second-chance points.

Lazy passes led to turnovers. The Raptors picked the Knicks’ pocket a dozen times, resulting in 20-13 points off turnovers disparity. New York committed 16 turnovers against Toronto’s eight.

The Knicks entered Monday night 22nd in the league in fastbreak points allowed (14.2 per game). Their effort in getting back to transition defense only got worse in this game. The Raptors ran them to the ground, 21-3, in fastbreak points.

“Everyone’s capable of beating you. We have to play with an edge, and we have to play for 48 minutes,” Thibodeau said. “So, if we have a lead, we have to play tough with a lead. We didn’t do that, so they hurt us with second-chance points, they hurt us with steals, they hurt us with fastbreaks. So, those are things we have to correct.”

With Toronto missing key players Pascal Siakam (left shoulder injury) and rookie stud Scottie Barnes (right thumb sprain) ruled out just before the game, the Raptors played with an edge. They made the Knicks pay for their lackadaisical effort.

Gary Trent, Jr. added 22 points while Fred VanVleet played through small abrasion on the heel of his left hand to finish with 17 points and eight assists. Svi Mykhailiuk, who started for Barnes, stepped up with 15 points.

Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier fired 15 and 12 points, respectively, for the Knicks. But the Raptors scored three of the fourth three-pointers in that momentum-shifting run late in the second quarter against their token defense. Walker had a team-worst -15 plus-minus, Fournier was -11.

Randle also had a crucial turnover during that stretch that led to an Anunoby fastbreak slam. He was 0 for 3 in the second quarter and had two turnovers after his sizzling 5 of 6 shooting in the opening quarter. He ended up with a -15 plus-minus.

“Both of our losses came here at home where games we feel we shouldn’t have lost,” Randle said. It’s always disappointing. You play every game to win, but you can’t sulk on it. You gotta learn from it, keep it moving and get ready for the two-game road trip.”

The Knicks aim to bounce back and maintain their perfect 3-0 record on the road when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.) and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks on Friday (7:30 p.m.).

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

RJ Barrett’s career night quiets doubters as Knicks improve to 5-1 start

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rj barrett, knicks

RJ Barrett is a man on a mission.

Barrett, New York Knicks third-year wing, took his game to another level two nights after a solid offensive performance and a game-winning defensive stop.

Miffed by the seemingly never-ending disrespect about his game and career trajectory, Barrett put on the type of performance that should silence his doubters.

Barrett scored 16 of his new career-high 35 points in the fourth quarter, including nine in the final 99 seconds, as the Knicks repelled the injury-plagued New Orleans Pelicans, 123-117, Saturday night at the Smoothie King Center for their third straight win.

The Knicks improved to 5-1, catching the Washington Wizards at the top of the Eastern Conference.

Barrett took over down the stretch with his college running mate and friend Zion Williamson, the no.1 pick in their draft class, reduced to being a spectator due to a foot injury.

After a 9-0 Pelicans run trimmed the Knicks’ lead down to two, 111-109, with 1:51 left, Barrett started his takeover. He used a double screen by Taj Gibson and Kemba Walker to drill a three-pointer from the top of the key.

A Devonte Graham three-point play proved to be New Orleans’ final stand. In the next play, Barrett set up Gibson for a wide-open dunk off a pick and roll. With the Pelicans forcing him to go right after repeatedly killing them with his left, he gladly welcomed the challenge. Barrett used Gibson’s pick and went to his right, and calmly drilled a three-pointer.

The Knicks’ cushion pushed to seven, 119-112, with 43.9 seconds to go. Barrett scored three more free throws to put the game away.

“He was terrific. He had an all-around game from start to finish. Clutch shots. Great hustle. Great effort. Rebounding the ball. He made plays. He got downhill, shot it well. That’s what RJ is and we needed it,” said Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau effusive in his praise of Barrett.

Indeed the Knicks needed Barrett’s offensive brilliance on the night when Randle was held down to a season-low 10 points. But Barrett, the 2019 third overall pick, returned the favor to Thibodeau for handing him the keys to the Knicks’ offense down the stretch.

“That was Thibs,” Barrett said. “Thibs was running plays for me at the end. It’s kind of reading the defense. I know I’m the type of player who can have nights like that and I’m just happy that I was able to show that today. But I’m just trying to win really and read what the defense was giving us.”

Barrett showed his complete offensive package tearing apart the Pelicans’ defense. His 12 makes from 18 attempts came from constantly putting the pressure on the rim, scoring off the bounce, drilling stepback 3s, and picking his spots on the floor. He was 6 for 8 from deep and added seven rebounds and a season-high six assists.

Pelicans guard Josh Hart got pinned down in the double screen that opened up Barrett for the three-pointer, which kickstarted the Knicks’ closing run. He was disappointed with their defensive execution.

“Everyone in the league knows RJ Barrett is going left. And in a game like that, it comes down to possessions, you can’t let that happen. You can’t allow him to go left constantly and he did. Obviously, he’s a good player but we have to make sure we’re going to execute our game plan a little bit better,” Hart said.

But even if they know Barrett was going left, it’s hard to stop him when he’s in rhythm, not now that he has learned to use his body and strength.

“[RJ] knows he’s good. He never questions himself. He’s playing an all-around game. When he goes downhill, I think people don’t realize how big and strong he is,” Thibodeau said. “He can take contact and so, he’s getting more comfortable with it. He works at it. You can’t say enough about him.”

His offseason work with his trainer Drew Hanlen, who focused on his off the bounce game after adding a catch and shoot 3 last season, is paying off.

Knicks associate head coach Johnnie Bryant is also helping Barrett. Bryant, who worked with Jazz rising star Donovan Mitchell in Utah, has been teaching Barrett how to use his strength and angles, changing his old, ineffective way of playing bully ball. Barrett admitted he used to drive to the basket with his head down.

Despite his second straight big game, Barrett is still far from satisfied.

“It was definitely a good game offensively, but I was terrible defensively. That’s not good. But you know, we were able to get the win and that’s the most important thing,” Barrett said.

It almost felt like a trap game after New Orleans’ other go-to guy Brandon Ingram joined Williamson on the sidelines with a hip contusion. The Pelicans played on back-to-back nights following another tough loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday. They slid to a league-worst 1-6, tied with Orlando Magic and Indiana Pacers.

In a game that brought back haunting memories of their upset loss to the Magic last week, the Knicks led by as many as 16. But the Pelicans kept answering every time they tried to pull away.

Randle had a sub-par game by his standards. The All-Star forward shot just four of nine from the floor, pulled down six rebounds, and handed out four assists in a game-high 38 minutes.

But unlike last season, when the Knicks could only win three of the eight games in which Randle put up less than 15 points, they had enough firepower this time.

Aside from Barrett, new additions Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier combined for nine triples and scored 19 points apiece.

The Knicks continued their splendid outside shooting sinking 19 of 33 3s for a staggering 57.6 percent clip.

In the fourth quarter, Mitchell Robinson and Gibson held their ground against Jonas Valanciunas after the Pelicans big man torched them with 25 points three-fourth of the way. Their defense limited Valanciunas to two points on 1 of 3 shooting in the final quarter.

Gibson had a strong game off the bench, producing 13 points and seven boards, one assist, one steal, and one block as Nerlens Noel continues to be sidelined by a knee injury. Louisiana native Robinson delivered eight points and five rebounds in his hometown.

“We want to develop everyone,” Thibodeau said. “The thing that I like about both [RJ] and Mitch (Robinson) is their age and work ethic. RJ has great work capacity. He wants to be good. It’s important to him. He’s very coachable. He’s a great teammate. And when you see how he approaches things, he has toughness. He has basketball IQ and he has competitiveness. And when you have those three things to go along with your talent, you usually improve.

Barrett’s growth is a positive development for the Knicks, who are off to their best start since winning their first six games during their magical 54-win playoff push in 2013.

With the All-Rookie team and ESPN’s Top 25 under 25 list still on his mind, the 21-year old Barrett continues to play with those big chips on his shoulder.

Following his defensive leap that came to the fore in their win in Chicago the other night, Barrett was asked if he feels that he should be in the same conversation with his draft peers Ja Morant and Williamson.

“Everybody is different,” Barrett said. “Everybody’s journey is different. “It doesn’t matter what anybody says. I know who I am. This team believes in me so, that’s really all that matters.”

His supreme self-belief and the Knicks organization’s faith in him have fueled his surge. It became his mission to become a defensive stalwart in a Knicks team filled with certified bucket-getters. But when Thibodeau put the ball in his hands in the most crucial moments, he flashed his killer instincts and delivered like a superstar.

After one of his six three-pointers, Barrett brought his index finger to his lips to silence the Pelicans crowd and perhaps his doubters.

The usually timid Barrett showed rare emotions on the floor. Barrett has arrived.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Bing Bong! Inside the culture behind Knicks’ early success

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The New York Knicks are on top of the Eastern Conference.

It is expected to remain that way after Saturday’s night road game in Big Easy with no Zion Williamson as a roadblock.

“Whenever [Zion] is on the court, it makes it a lot tougher, for sure,” RJ Barrett, the hero in the Knicks’ road win in Chicago, said. “Nonetheless, they’re still a good team. They have a lot of weapons. We can’t overlook anybody.”

The Knicks have made that mistake against the Orlando Magic, and they paid dearly for it — the only blemish so far in an otherwise perfect record dating back to the preseason.

They have won in a myriad of ways and best quality teams. They have also lost to a bad team. But this team is built for overcoming adversities.

“It’s hard to win in this league,” Kemba Walker said following their tough win in Chicago where the Knicks almost blew a 13-point lead inside the final three minutes.

They have found ways to win even when their odds are stacked against them. They have risen above adversities early in the season because, as Tom Thibodeau would always say, “don’t fight pressure with pressure.”

Past Knicks teams would have folded up easily to pressure. But not this new, rejuvenated Knicks team of misfits and outcasts tied together in a string by a journeyman coach who’s been kicked out twice but found a way to get up and reinvent himself.

They all found a home in New York.

They have been winning on the court and stealing the hearts of fans in a demanding city that requires toughness and recognizes real hard work.

“I think the way we play together, you know our connection, our togetherness, it’s unreal,” said Walker who has never felt great and looked healthier than this in the last two seasons.

That cohesiveness made them survive against Boston and Chicago and made them reign over Orlando and Philadelphia.

Walker is starting to find his groove and spot in the team after early struggles to start the season. The Bronx native has racked up back-to-back 20-point games, and his backcourt partnership with Evan Fournier has juiced up the Knicks offense.

Walker and Fournier have combined for 36 three-pointers through the first five games. The Knicks are winning even when the teams are loading up on their All-Star leader Julius Randle.

“I love the way every game they get better and better. So, they’re building chemistry,” Thibodeau said of his reloaded starting unit.

“We’re gelling so well. We care for each other,” Walker added. “Nobody cares who scores the basketball or who makes the play. We just want to win. That’s what this game is about, man. It’s all about guys playing to win. And that’s going to make us special. That’s going to take us a long way.”

The selflessness had been infectious.

Derrick Rose quickly put to bed any issue between them and Walker right on the first day of training camp. The former MVP has ceded the starting role to Walker. When Rose closed out the first three games, Walker didn’t have qualms about it. Eventually, Walker’s rising play earned him minutes to close out the last two wins.

Their mutual admiration and respect have made them seamlessly fit in Thibodeau’s egalitarian system.

The Knicks have carefully constructed a balanced roster that is two-deep in each position. That keeps players on edge and makes each scrimmage competitive.

Iron sharpens iron.

Not every team can boast of that.

One example is the team they have recently beaten. Ahead of the Knicks-Bulls game, Chicago coach Billy Donovan admitted that they didn’t have anyone resembling Mitchell Robinson in practice. Donovan has staggered his starters with his bench throughout the game to compensate for their lack of depth.

On the other hand, the Knicks have one of the best second units in the league. Their bench currently ranks fifth in the league in scoring with 39.2 points per game and third in plus differential with 4.6 plus/minus.

“When we sub, there’s not a drop-off. And so whoever is going good, some nights one guy will play a little more and the other guy a little less,” Thibodeau said. “But I love the fact that everyone is sacrificing for the team and putting the team first. And that’s how you win big in this league.”

Selflessness is fueling their togetherness.

Culture is a buzzword that is thrown around often these days. That word seemed to have remained foreign to the Knicks until Leon Rose shifted from representing stars in the league to accepting the challenge of cleaning the mess in New York. When Rose handpicked Thibodeau, a few eyebrows were raised. Thibodeau, critics argued, is coaching rethread, who has quickly worn out his welcomes in his past two stops.

Rose’s first offseason quietly came and went. But Thibodeau, like in Chicago and Minnesota, made some noise right away. The challenge for him is how to sustain it longer than his past two stops.

Nobody saw this New York thing coming. Nobody thought the rebuilding would be this quick. From ping pong (balls) to bing bong, the Knicks are making the headlines now for all the right reasons.

For Thibodeau, culture isn’t just about the Knicks’ defense or how they are blitzing a pick and roll.

“Culture is what you do every day. It’s not one particular thing. It’s how you approach everything from draft, free agency, trades, player development, practice, travel, summer program,” Thibodeau explained during the training camp.

That starts by showing up in the training camp in good shape. In a nutshell, that is Thibodeau’s way or highway. The Knicks treated preseason like regular-season games. They went 4-0 with the starters playing deep in the fourth quarter.

Thibodeau defended that as his way of setting the tone for the season and keeping his players extra sharp ahead of the league.

“You have to be in shape to play for Thibs. It’s non-negotiable,” said Barrett, who dropped a season-high 20 points in Chicago on an array of drives and transition points. “That’s what we do. That’s what we practice.”

What happens when you’re not in top shape?

“You’re not going to play,” Randle said. “It’s the standard. We have a standard and a culture. That’s a part of it. It’s not just Thibs standard. It’s our standard that marks us as a team. We hold each other accountable. Everybody comes in the right shape. That’s the first thing.”

Randle earned Thibodeau’s respect when he showed up in great shape ahead of last year’s training camp. It set the tone for his breakthrough season that carried the Knicks to a surprising playoff run. That golden standard is what is driving them again to early success this season.

“How are you going to win games if you’re not in shape?,” Randle asked.

The minutes’ police keenly monitored Thibodeau’s first season with the Knicks. But Randle, who led the league in minutes, proved to be durable. He played all but one of the 72 regular-season games.

Even Walker, who did not play back-to-back games last season, has only missed one so far in a nine-game stretch dating back to the preseason. Walker revealed after the Knicks win in Chicago that taking care of his balky knees is a whole day routine, not just when he’s in the practice facility.

“I think guys know when they’re coming here to the Knicks, they’re coming here to play for Thibs. That’s what it is,” Randle said. “When you sign up to play here, you expect that of yourself. You expect that other guys to come in [with the same mindset].”

Thibodeau loves being around this team because they have embraced the culture of hard work, accountability, and togetherness.

It’s becoming a norm to see Knicks players working on their game outside their schedule in their practice facility. Randle’s road game routine of having extra work in the gym rather than checking out bars — something that he’s learned from the late Kobe Bryant — has caught on with the whole team.

But all work and no fun is no fun at all.

Thibodeau has learned that the hard way from his previous stops. There is still his gruffness and toughness on the court. But off the court, he’s now socializing and opening himself up a little bit.

The report coming out in Chicago is another reminder of that. The Knicks reportedly have stayed the night after their grueling win. Usually, they fly out to their next destination after games. Instead, they went out for dinner as a whole team.

“I don’t think I’ve seen that all my years in the NBA,” NBA analyst Brian Scalabrine, who played for Thibodeau in Chicago and Boston, said on SiriusXM’s NBA Radio.

Thibodeau still yells and yanks his players out of the game when he sees them repeatedly committing mistakes. But you will never hear Thibodeau throwing any of his players under the bus in postgame pressers, unlike other coaches around the league.

He still runs brutal practices. But he also throws around occasional jokes and cut short scrimmages when he feels his team needs a break.

“[Culture] is how you do everything and approach each day. If you have an organization putting everything they have and teaching every day, good things come out of that,” Thibodeau said.

From top to bottom, the Knicks have a synergy never before seen in James Dolan’s era. And to Dolan’s credit, he has given everything the team asked for — from robust analytics department to installing the league’s most comprehensive Noah Basketball system at their practice facility, from keeping out of any PR mess to letting Rose and the Thibodeau run the organization and the team.

“You couldn’t ask anything more [from Dolan]. Leon (Rose), Wes (Wiliam Wesley), and Scott (Perry) have been terrific,” Thibodeau said.

“Our players have been very committed. It’s a hardworking group but we don’t have it all figured out and there’s a long way to go. And it doesn’t go away. You have to do it every day. You can’t let up. There’s no shortcut to this. So everyone has to be willing to pay that price.”

Not everyone is built to play in New York. In the same way, not everyone is fit to play for Thibodeau. You have to be mentally tough and always ready for the grind — the price of sustainable success.

The Knicks are not the same old Knicks. Even with a large salary cap space in the offseason, they did not go after the flashy names. Instead, they signed role players to team-friendly contracts. They are keen to continue developing their own young players into stars with flexibility to trade for one who fits their culture.

Even if devoid of superstars, the Knicks are winning. They are thriving because of their culture.

“It’s still early, but we just want to continue to fight for each other and play the right way,” Walker said.

The Knicks are on top. And they don’t have any plan to come down.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

RJ Barrett’s defensive gem fuels Knicks’ surge to the top of the East

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Work hard until your idols become your rivals.

New York Knicks defensive stalwart RJ Barrett was only 12 years old when DeMar DeRozan hit his first game-winning shot in the NBA in 2013.

Eight years later, Barrett leaned on his memory bank to thwart DeRozan’s potential game-winner as the Knicks survived Chicago Bulls’ late push and gave them their first loss of the season, 104-103, Thursday night on the road.

With 4.8 seconds remaining and the Knicks hanging on to a single thread of what was once a comfortable 13-point lead, DeRozan took the inbound pass then faked a hand-off to Zach Lavine. The misdirection forced DeRozan’s defender Evan Fournier to switch with Barrett, who momentarily lost his defensive ground. But when Barrett saw the new Bulls gunner turn to the corner, he already knew what was about come next.

“I’ve watched [DeMar] so much growing up in Toronto. He’s always been one of my favorite players — the pride and joy of Toronto. So, I’ve seen that shot fake a lot,” Barret said after the gut-wrenching win. “He’s a great player. Thankfully, I was able to stay down and Mitch (Robinson) came over to help.”

Barrett did not bite DeRozan’s fake. He stayed in front of DeRozan and challenged the shot with the help of Robinson. It resulted in an airball at the buzzer that sucked the life out of the United Center.

The Knicks improved to 4-1, the franchise’s best start since the 54-win Carmelo Anthony-led team in 2013. Their latest squeaker also forced a four-way logjam at the top of the Eastern Conference with their victim, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets.

Barrett had his most complete game of the young season, backing up the earlier talk of his desire to become a top two-way player and crack the First Team All-Defense.

The 21-year old Barrett aggressively attacked the paint on offense and finished with a season-high 20 points. On the other side of the ball, he had a big hand in holding the Bulls’ top two scorers DeRozan and Zach LaVine, to a combined 14-of-35 shooting.

The last defensive sequence proved that Barrett is up to his personal challenge.

“RJ [Barrett] was huge scoring-wise but his defense was over the top,” Tom Thibodeau said. “He was disciplined on that last play. DeRozan’s great at utilizing the shot fake and [Bulls] are a really good team. So, I’m proud of how hard we fought.”

The Knicks had a terrific game for 46 minutes until their offense bogged down. Their veterans lost their composure down the stretch as the Bulls charged back with a 12-0 run.

Kemba Walker had a key turnover. Julius Randle missed a tip-in and two crucial free throws that paved the way for the cardiac ending.

The Knicks turned to their defense to hammer out their second straight win and remained unbeaten on the road. They will continue their road trip on Saturday in New Orleans.

“A win is a win. That’s all that matters at the end of the day. Like coach [Thibodeau] said, find a way to win. “I’ll knock them down next time, but I’m just happy to get a win,” said Randle referring to his missed free throws.

Despite Walker’s late turnover, there were clear signs that the new Knicks starting point guard is starting to get more comfortable. For the second straight game, Walker hit five three-pointers and topped the 20-point scoring mark and usage rate. He led the Knicks with a new season-high 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

The spacing and Randle’s facilitating helped Walker pick up steam in the last two games.

Randle played decoy for most of the night as the Bulls’ defense collapsed on him. He missed eight of his 11 shots, but he found other ways to impact the game.

“I just mentioned to the guys about Julius playing a great game without shooting well. His rebounding was off the charts. The playmaking was phenomenal,” Thibodeau said.

Randle scored 11 points, pulled down 16 rebounds, and came one assist shy of a triple-double.

On the night Joakim Noah received a retirement tribute from the Bulls, his former teammates Derrick Rose and Taj Gibson led the Knicks bench to spoil Chicago’s celebration. Rose had 12 points on 50 percent shooting while Gibson added six points, six rebounds, and three blocks.

The trio was part of the most successful Bulls team in the post-Michael Jordan era. DeRozan joined recent All-Stars LaVine and Nikola Vucevic in the franchise’s latest attempt to revive their glory years.

The Knicks are also forging their path back to relevance following their fourth seed finish last season and the addition of Walker and Evan Fournier.

The game lived up to the hype as the return of the Knicks-Bulls rivalry with playoff intensity that boiled down to the last play.

For all the talks that the Bulls are the better team and the Knicks defense would suffer from the departure of Reggie Bullock and Elfrid Payton, Barrett’s emphatic performance drowns the outside noise.

“It doesn’t matter what anybody says. I know who I am. This team believes in me so, that’s really all that matters,” Barrett said.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Broadway Thriller: Knicks survive Celtics in double OT season opener

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evan fournier, knicks

When reporters asked Julius Randle what to expect in the New York Knicks season opener, there was something compellingly prescient about his answer.

“Chaos,” Randle said. “We’re expecting chaos.”

A chaotic final sequence in the regulation nearly cost them the game, but the Knicks regrouped and leaned on their preseason experience to pull off a 138-134 double-overtime win over old rival Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

It was the first season opener with multiple overtimes since the Knicks’ 118-117 triple-overtime win over the Grizzlies on Nov. 1, 2006.

“Every time before we go out [of the locker room], coach [Tom Thibodeau] always puts on the board, ‘find a way to win.’ They talk about us taking preseason seriously, but this is why we take it seriously so we can win games like this,” Randle said.

Their undefeated run in the preseason kept them sharp and mentally ready for a brutal opening game that needed 58 minutes of basketball to decide the winner.

Randle started the season proving that his All-NBA season was not a fluke. In a battle of All-Star forwards, Randle answered Jaylen Brown’s 46-point performance with a near triple-double (35 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, three blocks in 46 minutes) and clutch free throws in the second overtime. Randle became the first player in Knicks’ history to log in at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in multiple season openers, per ESPN Stats and Info.

Newcomer Evan Fournier validated the hefty contract he signed last summer. The Frenchman gunner scored a career-high 32 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 56 seconds remaining.

Derrick Rose showed that he can still close games more than a decade removed from his MVP season. He kept fighting through his shooting woes to hit the dagger — a floating banked shot off Dennis Schroder with 22.2 seconds left for the final tally. He wound up with nine points on 3-of-11 shooting and five assists.

It was a massive win against a conference rival that is projected to finish ahead of them in the standings.

But the Knicks had to earn it the hard way after blowing an 11-point lead late in the fourth quarter. They failed to protect a three-point cushion with 4.8 seconds left in the regulation when they seemingly forgot to foul.

“There was a slip but we did want to foul,” Thibodeau later said. “We got to work on it. We’ll learn from it.”

A Jayson Tatum slip caused a chain of reactions, leading to a wide-open Marcus Smart three-pointer that beat the buzzer to force the first overtime. Fournier went to double team Tatum that left Schroder open for the pass. Schroder found Smart as Kemba Walker, who had two costly turnovers inside the final 30 seconds, scrambled for defense.

Fournier atoned for his blunder with four triples in the two extra periods. After an underwhelming preseason, Fournier found his rhythm in his official Knicks debut. He shot 13-of-25 overall and accounted for six of the team’s 17 three-pointers.

The Knicks attempted 45 three-pointers, 34 in the regulation.

“I’ve never worried about him making shots,” Thibodeau said referring to Fournier. “To me, he’s proven throughout his career that’s who he is. It’s nice to see him and Julius build some chemistry together.”

The same cannot be said of Walker, who has yet to make his signature Knicks moment through four games dating back to the preseason. In this game billed as his official homecoming debut, Walker hardly had an impact with 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting in 36 minutes. He had more turnovers (4) than assists (3) and watched on the bench in the second overtime.

“I think [with] Kemba, the more he plays with that group the more he gets into a rhythm,” Thibodeau said. “He’s got great instincts in the pick and roll. And I think we can take advantage of that even more than what we’re doing right now. So, we’ll continue to work on that.”

“Kemba and Evan are two terrific players. We’re excited about the possibilities.”

However, their performance in the first 28 minutes did not elicit excitement. The Knicks trailed by as many as 12 points. After a roaring 8-0 start buoyed by a couple of Randle’s three-pointers, New York fell into Boston’s trap.

They could not solve the Celtics’ switching defense that held them to only eight assists in the first half and forced them to rely on isolation plays. Jaylen Brown’s 25-point outburst in the first half, 20 in the opening quarter, compounded their problem.

Not until Thibodeau switched to his small-ball lineup again in the third quarter that they found an answer. Sans Nerlens Noel (sore left knee) and Taj Gibson, who just became a first-time father, Thibodeau leaned on the Toppin-Randle frontcourt to ignite their comeback.

After Toppin replaced Mitchell Robinson with 8:36 left in the third quarter, the Knicks outscored the Celtics, 28-15, to seize an 86-82 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

They pushed the pace, and the space they created gave Barrett enough room to operate. After a scoreless first half, Barrett uncorked 14 of his 19 points during that big run.

“It got us going. It got us into the open floor which was good. That group really played well together,” Thibodeau said.

Toppin then teamed up with Robinson at the start of the fourth quarter. Their back-to-back dunks opened up an eight-point lead for the Knicks, 90-82. Toppin and Robinson combined for 11 of the Knicks’ first 14 points in the fourth quarter.

A Schroder three-pointer cut Celtics’ deficit down to six. But Toppin’s alley-oop dunk over Payton Pritchard restored an eight-point Knicks’ lead, 100-92, with 8:58 left in the regulation.

The second-year pro looked every inch the lottery pick that he was hyped to be as he finally spread his wings. Toppin finished with a career-high 14 points in 28 minutes, the most he’s played since he entered the NBA. He added five rebounds and one block.

His breakthrough performance was a testament to Thibodeau’s player development acumen and his body of work with his trainer David Zenon in the summer.

Robinson delivered a monster double-double in just his second game back from a foot injury. The 23-year old center collected 11 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks against only two fouls in 35 minutes.

“I think we’re seeing just the tip of the iceberg with Mitch. I think Mitch is gonna be really, really good for us,” Thibodeau said. “RJ, in the second half, he was a monster. The thing that I liked was he kept his composure. He wasn’t rattled and just kept playing. He kept working in the game and then the game got going his way. So, it was really good to see.”

More than his offensive contribution, Barrett held his end of the bargain on the defensive end. He played a major role in slowing down Tatum, who bled for 20 points on 7-of-30 shooting, including 2 for 15 from downtown.

After a chaotic first half, the Knicks’ offense flowed like the Hudson river in the last two quarters and two overtimes with 19 assists.

Amid the chaos that reigned in the Garden in their season opener, the Knicks found harmony in their continuity, stability, and flexibility.

It’s going to be a long season. But the Knicks are equipped to battle chaos.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

New-look Knicks offense will be tested against Celtics’ switching defense

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kemba walker, knicks

All eyes will be on Kemba Walker on Wednesday night as he makes his official New York Knicks debut against his old team Boston Celtics at 7:30 pm.

An expected raucous, sold-out Madison Square Garden crowd will be on hand to witness the opening of one of the most anticipated seasons in Knicks history coming off a playoff run.

Walker has a chip on his shoulder after the Celtics dealt him to the Oklahoma City Thunder with a future pick in the offseason before finding his way to New York via a contract buyout.

“Does it matter [that I’ll be facing the Celtics in my Knicks debut]? Of course. It’s my old team,” Walker said after Tuesday’s practice. “But I don’t go into any game thinking I want to lose. So, I definitely want to win. Does it make it that much better than it’s my old team? Yeah, no question.”

Walker, alongside another former Celtic Evan Fournier, will add another layer to the Knicks offense, which heavily relied on Julius Randle’s shot creation and playmaking in the past.

While Walker (39.3 FG%, 29.4 3P%) and Fournier (38.5% FG, 30 3P%) groped for form as they tried to fit in, the Knicks’ new-look offense looked good in the preseason. In their undefeated preseason run heading into Wednesday’s home opener, the Knicks landed second in offensive rating (113.4) buoyed by their spiked three-point shot volume.

Derrick Rose harped that they are targeting to jump from 30 per game (27th in the league last season) to 37-40 attempts. They were above their target with 41 attempts, sixth in the league during the preseason, and hit 38.4 percent of them, which landed in the top three.

New Celtics coach Ime Udoka has taken notice of the Knicks’ new-look offense. Walker’s mastery of the pick and roll and Fournier’s off-the-bounce game have made the Knicks more unpredictable on offense despite the newcomers’ shooting struggles.

“We’re really recognizing that in the preseason, they’re playing with tremendous pace,” Udoka said after Monday’s practice. “I think that’s a league-wide thing but the Knicks are really good up and down pushing with their guards, hunting threes in transition, playing fast, and looking to shoot the three a lot.”

The Knicks, who played with the slowest pace (96.32) last season, played faster in the preseason (102.50).

Whereas the Knicks have been picking up their new-look offense a lot quicker based on their 4-0 preseason result, the Celtics are adjusting to Udoka’s coaching a little bit slower as they went 2-2 in the preseason, splitting their games against Orlando, picking up a close win against Toronto and losing in double-digits to Miami.

Udoka, who previously worked for the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets as defensive coordinator, is switching up everything on defense. He wants the Celtics to prevent dribble penetration and minimize help defense by keeping the ball in front of the defense. It’s a significant change from Brad Steven’s drop coverage, where the defensive bigs were responsible for containing dribble penetration off screens while teammates recover their defensive position.

The Celtics’ switching defense will be a good test to the Knicks’ new-look offense, which now enjoys multiple shot creators off the dribble with the addition of Walker and Fournier to ease the burden on Randle.

On defense, the Knicks will focus on slowing down the Celtics’ two rising stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum is back at health after a bout with COVID-19 last season. Brown will be playing his first game back from health and safety protocols after experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms.

RJ Barrett, who is embracing the role of the Knicks’ designated wing stopper, will have his hands full against Tatum. But Thibodeau, a defensive genius, will not put the defensive pressure squarely on Barrett’s broad shoulders. His defense relies on the Knicks playing like a string.

“Defensively, they are who they are and they’re gonna play extremely aggressive and hard and deny elbow catches and be physical,” Udoka said. “So, that doesn’t change regardless of who their roster is but offensively, I noticed some different things like they’re playing with a faster pace and shooting more threes. And so we prepare for that.”

With Al Horford still out due to COVID-19, Thibodeau might give his small-ball lineup another run in select minutes to give the returning Mitchell Robinson some breather. The Randle-Obi Toppin frontcourt was a plus-14 against the Wizards that sparked their comeback. But there’s still the ever-reliable Taj Gibson who will likely be matched up against former Knick Enes Kanter in the second unit.

The Knicks bench, led by Derrick Rose, will be Thibodeau’s trump card in this match.

But when push comes to shove, a Cardiac Kemba moment in the Garden could be in the offing.

Follow this writer on Twitter: @alderalmo

Knicks’ RJ Barrett explains why he could be in for a big Year 3

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new york knicks, rj barrett

The New York Knicks might be staring their next star player right in the face with RJ Barrett. Barrett is entering his third season in the NBA with two years left on his contract after the upcoming season. The Knicks have a team option for the 2022–23 campaign and a qualifying offer at $14.3 million for the season after. Luckily, the team has Barrett locked up for the long term, and they also have the financial flexibility to extend him if he reaches his potential.

Barrett has taken a tremendous step forward on both sides of the ball, averaging 17.6 points, 3.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and shooting 44% from the field this past season at 20-years-old. He also connected on 40% of his three-point attempts, marking an 8% uptick in efficiency.

The young Canadian-born player believes this new season will present him an opportunity to take another behemoth step forward, and it starts with comfort in Tom Thibodeau’s system.

“I feel like I have just a little bit more experience, I would say, just a little more comfortable being out there on the floor,” Barrett said about how his game has changed since this time last year. “More comfortable knowing also playing for Thibs where my shots are going to come from, who I’m going to guard, what I’m going to do. Just because my first couple years, I was under a couple different coaches.”

During preseason play, RJ enjoyed 31.2 minutes of action over four games. He logged a 43% field goal hit rate and shot 48% from three-point range, attempting 6.25 per game, which would mark a career-high. He also contributed 4.25 rebounds and 0.75 blocks per game.

If RJ can continue building upon his three-point efficiency, he will find himself even closer to his first All-Star appearance, but he needs to create more opportunities on his own instead of being a spot-up shooter. Using his athleticism and strength driving to the basket is one way for him to maximize his skill set, aside from playing aggressive and tantalizing defense.

Ultimately, Barrett has the potential to be a premium-level player, which is why many floated the idea of trading him in a blockbuster deal for Damian Lillard this past off-season. However, the Knicks have big plans for their young guard, and it starts with helping take the organization to the next level after establishing a benchmark of success during the 2020–21 season.

Barrett’s teammate Derrick Rose has wise words for the young guard, stating:

 “He could be as great as he wants to be.”

Defense or Die: Knicks’ RJ Barrett says ‘it’s defense first’ under Thibodeau

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new york knicks, rj barrett

Despite the front office adding Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker this off-season, the New York Knicks still have one goal in mind, maintaining an elite defense.

Neither Fournier nor Walker are known for their defense, but the latter has an understanding of how the Knicks operate on that end, stating:

“One guy gets beat, you have to expect your teammate to be there,” Walker said. “And I felt like (the Knicks) were just on a string defensively last season.”

Last season, the Knicks had the fourth-best defensive rating at 107.8, behind the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Utah Jazz. In fact, the Knicks ranked fourth in opponent points in the paint and second in opponent fast break points. They also ranked in the top 10 in defensive rebounds, showcasing how important Nerlens Noel was to their success last year. I would be remiss not to mention Julius Randle and his rebounds skyrocketing to 10.2 per game, including 9.0 defensive.

Young shooting guard RJ Barrett knows the importance of defense under head coach Tom Thibodeau. After taking a big step forward in his progression last season, Barrett is focused on playing aggressive defense that gives his team opportunities in transition. That is where Thibodeau sees second-year power forward Obi Toppin playing a big role, as he was a transition maestro during his time at Dayton.

“Always, it’s defense first,” RJ Barrett regarding Tom Thibodeau’s style in Year 2. “You’ve always got to play defense if you’re going to play for him. That was the message. That’s what’ll make us at the end of day, help us get to level we want to get to. Sharing the ball. Moving the ball.”

Being a disciplined defender is a great way to get on the court if you’re a Knick. That is why rookies Miles McBride and Quentin Grimes could play a quietly productive role this upcoming year, especially if injuries begin to arise. Thibodeau drafted them for their defensive attributes, but their offensive capabilities are just an added bonus.

Interestingly, the Knicks have posted over 100-points in all three of their pre-season games and have showcased their scoring potential in conjunction with defensive prowess. They’ve allowed a high of 104 points and kept two of their opponents to 100-points or below. If they can carry over this type of production into the regular season, the Knicks will be an incredibly difficult team to beat.

Knicks’ RJ Barrett projects ultimate confidence in team ahead of regular season

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new york knicks, rj barrett

The growth of RJ Barrett is extremely important to the New York Knicks’ plans during the 2021–22 season. Barrett took an astronomical leap in his sophomore campaign at just 20-years-old, averaging 17.6 points, 3.0 assists, and 5.8 rebounds. He posted a 44% field goal percentage and connected on 40% of his three-point shots. Most of his scoring statistics saw a fantastic uptick, and the Knicks are hoping he can continue to improve upon those numbers.

To start the pre-season, Barrett posted a healthy 17 points on 50% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from three-point range. Against the Washington Wizards this past Saturday, he tallied 18 points, connecting on 4-of-8 shots from beyond on the arc. He also contributed four assists, utilizing his vision as a facilitator to get his teammates the ball.

While some underrate a strong Knicks team with plenty of depth, RJ expressed confidence on Tuesday that everybody should see this team coming.

“Doesn’t matter, we’re all about the Knicks. The Knicks will never be a under the radar team.”
Despite Vegas having the Knicks below their 41 win mark from last year in 10 additional games, this team added more talent that will hopefully spread the floor and provide more efficient opportunities for their primary scorers.
Barrett expressed supreme faith that the additions of Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier will provide him with even more clean looks at the basket, and that is in addition to Julius Randle, who commanded a ton of attention last season during his first All-Star performance.
“When you have Kemba driving the ball, people are going to pay attention. When you have Julius or Evan driving, people are going to pay attention. Oftentimes, they’re going to leave me out there.”
The Knicks are better off being the underdogs this season, emerging as a successful team built on disciplinary rules and passion. Considering how much effort the players put in this off-season to refining their craft and building chemistry, I would be surprised to see them struggle to open the year. The team seemed in midseason form against the Pacers and Wizards, but it is only preseason basketball, so not much can be derived.
If all goes to plan, the impact that Walker and Fournier will bring should give Barrett a chance to beat his sophomore statistics, which would firmly cement him as a long-term solution for the Knicks at shooting guard.

Why Knicks’ RJ Barrett is primed for a Year 3 breakout performance

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new york knicks, rj barrett

One of the most exciting developments during the 2020–21 season was the growth of Knicks guard RJ Barrett. Barrett, who was in his second season in the NBA, saw increased statistics in multiple categories, including points, assists, rebounds, and field goal percentage.

Playing in 72 games and 34.9 minutes per, he averaged 17.6 points, 3.0 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and shot 44% from the field. He also connected on 40% of his three-point attempts, shooting 4.3 per game. Enjoying an 8% increase in three-point efficiency and a 13% increase in free-throw success rate, Barrett’s shooting enjoyed astronomical developments.

“I changed my shot, so I needed a little time to get used to it. Really just coming back at night and getting reps. Coach is always in here until 9 or 10 PM every day,” Barrett said via Sirius XM Radio. “So just coming in and shooting. Seeing coach, talking to coach at night. He’s always had my back, kept my confidence up.”

Before every home game last season, Barrett spent the night before working on his shot, putting up reps, and building his fundamentals. Having Thibs in the office until late benefited him, keeping his confidence high and presenting a unique opportunity to grow behind the scenes with extra effort.

This upcoming season, the Knicks have a ton of new weapons to utilize, including Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker. Their main utilities will apply directly to the offense, as Fournier is capable of creating his own shots, something Reggie Bullock struggled with last season, and Walker is a massive upgrade over Elfred Payton.

The idea is that with more offensive weapons, opposing defenses won’t be able to single out a specific player like the Atlanta Hawks did to Julius Randle in the playoffs.

“I actually saw something on Twitter: RJ Barrett going into the lane this year,’’ Barrett said. “And there’s somebody else by themselves, wide open. That’s how it’s going to be this year. There’ll be attention on other people. All of us can make a play. I’m looking forward to that opportunity.’’

RJ hit it right on the head, as his teammates will be open more frequently, with attention being spread out among the starting five.

The Knicks should be loving the growth of RJ as a special offensive player:

The third-year player remains an aggressive offensive playmaker, with 64.7% of his field goals made last season were unassisted. Interestingly, from three-point range, he was able to find more efficient shooting spots rather than trying to create long-range opportunities for himself. He spaced the floor well, attacking the corner as his most lethal shooting spot. His overall points coming from three-point range rose from 23.5% in his rookie season to 29.4% last year, and I expect that number to continue rising as he develops as a shooter.

Barrett was also more efficient with the ball in his hands, turning it over on just 20.1% of his possessions compared to 24.6% in his rookie season (Turnover rate (TOV%) is calculated by multiplying 100 times the total number of turnovers, which is then divided by the team’s field goal attempts).

Ultimately, in all of the most important categories for a scorer, Barrett saw improvements, representing his potential. At 21-years-old, this could be his year to break out and prove he can be a No. 2 if not No. 1 one player alongside Julius Randle.

In the Knicks’ first pre-season game, Barrett went 7-14 from the field and 3-6 from 3-PT range, scoring 17 points. He didn’t turn the ball over once in 25 minutes of play.

Do you think that RJ Barrett has the potential to be an All-Star this upcoming season? Comment here!