RJ Barrett

The New York Knicks got bullied by the Atlanta Hawks

October 17, 2019 by Bob Konarski

There’s been plenty of speculation if the New York Knicks team can make the playoffs this season. After last night’s performance, it is clear that they are not even close.

The Knicks were playing careless, lackadaisical basketball up until the middle of the fourth quarter. It was an exciting ending but the Knicks fell short to the Atlanta Hawks 100-96.

Dennis Smith Jr. played is first game of the preseason, but he didn’t look healthy at all. Smith Jr. has been dealing with lower back injury for weeks. He looked sluggish to begin the game with two quick fouls, lackluster defense and an iffy improved shot. He was chasing around Trae Young more then anything. Smith Jr. should rest that back until he’s actually 100% because he was far from that.

The other point guard battling for time, Frank Ntilikina, played well defensively. He was able to shut down Young in the second half with his 7-foot-wide wingspan. Offensively, he struggled and didn’t appeared confident in his shot after missing a few. Ntilikina made two big plays down the stretch to get the Knicks in striking distance, but it wasn’t enough.

The point guard will be interesting as both guards didn’t separate themselves from one another last night. Elfrid Payton did not play last night per Coach David Fizdale’s decision. He is still in the mix for time as well.

RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Marcus Morris were the main stand outs for the Knicks. Barrett continues to improve in some aspect every game. Barrett even ran point and the offensive appeared to have more pep in its step when he did. He was able to push the ball up the floor and had the offense in a good rhythm.

With the point guard position is total question, fans wouldn’t be surprised if Fizdale went more with Barrett at point and Ntilikina over Smith Jr. while his back heals. Both can split time running point.

Randle continued his solid preseason. He hasn’t blown fans out of the water with his play, but it’s there. Randle can do a little bit of everything and is very aggressive driving and having the ball in the low-post, which is great for the Knicks. Morris continues to make scoring look effortless for the Knicks, but he seemed off energy wise last night as well.

Kevin Knox also played well coming off the bench last night. He shoot it well and had good court vision in transition. Last season, he would have drove into multiple defenders. Last night, he was able to do that but finally find the open man. Good progress so far for Knox.

Despite the few positives, there was plenty more negatives. The Knicks boxing out was the most frustrating. They were not getting a man and the Hawks had a field day on the offensive glass, 16 offensive rebounds. Also, the Knicks, and even the fans, were out of it last night. There was a lack of enthusiasm and energy from both. The Knicks bench didn’t seem like they were in the game either. It’s the preseason we know, but still.

The Hawks dominated the Knicks in all aspects of the game last evening. Literally every aspect, field goal and 3-point percentage, assists, all rebounds, turnovers, fast break points and points off turnovers, etc. Stats don’t mean much in this preseason game as it was tough to watch for the Knicks. These dogs that were suppose to do the bullying looked like a bunch of poodles last night.

New York Knicks: Will the offense run through RJ Barrett or Julius Randle?

October 17, 2019 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks have an interesting decision to make ahead of the 2019-20 regular season — do they want to run their offense through rookie RJ Barrett or veteran Julius Randle?

Realistically, Randle being the focal point, makes the most sense considering his proven success in the past. Averaging 21.4 points per game last season playing second fiddle behind Anthony Davis, despite seeing a massive uptick in production after he was traded, proves he can be the ‘guy’ for the Knicks.

However, Barrett was an extremely efficient scorer in college, averaging 22.6 points per game, but those totals will take time to translate over the NBA. He has seen his fair share of struggles lately, especially when it comes to scoring against bigger, more physical opponents.

The preseason has given him a glimpse at what lies ahead, and the regular-season intensity is far more stressing. Head coach David Fizdale might see the offense as a cohesive unit that isn’t “run through a player” but rather a collective effort. Every player serves a different purpose and, therefore, can contribute towards the success of the team and increasing their scoring efficiency.

How will the New York Knicks utilize RJ Barrett?

Fizdale has already begun to experiment with Barrett in different positions, despite his first being at forward. Averaging 4.3 assists per game in 2018, Barrett can move the ball effectively around the floor and act as a de-facto point guard. The Knicks aren’t going to trade for a new player at the position, but RJ can fill that role if need be.

“I’ve thrown him at that position a couple times already. He played some of that in college,” coach David Fizdale said. “I think it adds another layer to how dynamic he can be.”

I believe that Barrett will develop into a multi-position player (utility option), who has a primary spot but can move around if need be. His size and height give him the flexibility to move around the floor. Creativity seems to be a priority for Fizdale, who is looking to have fun with a roster built through youth and numerous veteran free agents.

Let the New York Knicks battle for the guard positions begin

October 16, 2019 by Bob Konarski

The back-court for the New York Knicks always seems to be crowded. And now, it’s about to get more congested with the return of Dennis Smith Jr. and Daymean Dotson.

Smith Jr. has been nursing a lower back injury and Dotson is coming off shoulder surgery this off-season. The two should make their preseason debut this Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks.

Just as the Knicks welcome back Smith Jr. and Dotson, Frank Ntilikina is ‘probable’ with a groin injury. This the same nagging injury that he dealt with all last season, limiting him to 43 games.

Coach David Fizdale said that sitting Ntilikina, and everyone really, is more a precautionary measure. The Knicks are starting the season off with a lot of injuries. The one’s mentioned above, Reggie Bullock’s back injury and Mitchell Robinson’s overall health, which is always in question. It’s not the start to a season you want.

However, all of the Knicks current guards can make a case to start. Dennis Smith Jr. was the leader in the clubhouse to start the season as their point guard. He has been putting in the work this summer to improve his shot and they hope it pays dividends. Plus, Smith Jr. clearly has the most upside and explosiveness to run the offense.

Elfrid Payton began making his case this preseason to steal minutes from Smith Jr. Payton appears to run the offense well, but that’s it. He doesn’t have the offensive capability like Smith Jr., but the offense seems to sort-of smoothly with Payton.

Ntilikina started to make his case for more time with his play during the FIBA World Cup. Coach Fizdale noticed his progression and will try to incorporate that into the Knicks system. Ntilikina’s progress appeared through his aggressiveness and confidence in taking his shot. Now, it’s about staying confident in his game and healthy to perform.

RJ Barrett will have competition with Dotson’s return. But, it’s unlikely that Dotson will not overtake Barrett since he’s coming off his shoulder injury. Dotson will get his opportunity, when healthy, especially since he’s a above-average defender and can provide offensive support.

Let’s not forget about Allonzo Trier either. Trier has proved he can be immediate offense off the bench. Even when he got the starting nod last season, he made the most of his time. Everyone knows what he brings to the table offensively. But, if Trier can improve his defense, he makes a strong case to be the first guard off the bench.

The New York Knicks will be juggling with different guard combinations to start the season. Fizdale will try to find what works best for the team and where he gets the most out of his guys. Don’t expect all the guards to easily cave, it’s going to be a battle.

New York Knicks played a lot worse in preseason home opener

October 14, 2019 by Bob Konarski

The New York Knicks were back in the Garden for the first time since April. The Knicks hosted the Washington Wizards in a home-and-home series to open the preseason.

There were only a few bright spots in this game as the score shouldn’t indicate that it was close. The Knicks fell to the Wizards 115-99.

Marcus Morris was in uniform and avoided suspension from the opener. He set the tone for this Knicks team after one preseason game.

Morris had another strong outing with 21 points, 6 boards and no ejections. He opened the game with 10 points in the first quarter. Morris shot the ball very well throughout his 31 minutes, 8-13 from the field and 3-7 beyond the arc. His shot looks likes it’s in mid-season form already. Morris is looking comfortable in the blue and orange already.

RJ Barrett lead the team with 35 minutes played. He added 15 points on 6-15 shooting and 7 rebounds. He’s being aggressive and not afraid to take his shot. This is what coach David Fizdale likes in Barrett, as he has earned the starting two spot, for now.

Allonzo Trier had a strong outing with 14 points in only 17 minutes played. Trier seems to be the odd man out in the back court. He didn’t get a lot of playing time in the opener at Washington either. However, when Trier enters the game, he makes the most of his time and provides instant offense for the Knicks. He’ll have to earn more time on this team.

Julius Randle did not have as strong an outing as he did in the opener. Randle had 14 points on 50% shooting from the floor and 8 boards.

Mitchell Robinson and Elfrid Payton both played very poorly.

Payton went scoreless on 0-9 shooting from the floor. He was pretty much invisible except for bringing the ball up. Payton appears to be a player that won’t hurt the team, but doesn’t move the needle either. Any momentum that he might have had in trying to earn he starting point guard spot took a few steps back.

Robinson was back to his rookie form. He was committing dumb, lazy fouls. At one point, Robinson had 4 fouls in 9 minutes. At one point, he bumped into someone shooting a three for his 5th foul, that sums up his performance.

The Wizards spoiled the Knicks preseason home debut. They went on big runs and the Knicks had no response. There was no ‘bully season’ this game as the New York Knicks were the ones getting bullied.

New York Knicks need to remember where they are in rebuild

October 14, 2019 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks seem to be shifting away from a youth mindset and towards a veteran experience one. So far during the preseason, the starting team has featured predominantly veterans, which isn’t a negative thing considering the increased potential of success.

Free agents Julius Randle and Marcus Morris have been influential so far, showing their efficiency on offense but the ability to play defense as well.

However, head coach David Fizdale must remain consistent and prioritize the younger players on the roster that are in dire need of experience and will be the future of the franchise. He has done an excellent job so far, getting RJ Barrett playing time and ensuring he adapts to the NBA level quickly. Only live game experience can help him in that facet, and he shouldn’t take his foot off the gas in regards to playing him alongside the veterans.

Through two games, Barrett has looked good at times and bad at others. That’s only natural for a rookie looking to leave his mark.

The first-round pick added 15 points on 6–for-15 shooting in his home debut during the preseason. Despite the loss, the team is developing chemistry and learning how to play with one another, which is the entire purpose of the preseason and will be beneficial moving forward.

The New York Knicks need coach Fizdale to create a positive culture:

The mentality and ideology Fizdale has appropriated to the team has been a good one. He has been preaching a team-first approach with this season’s roster and losing Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving to the Brooklyn Nets certainly hurt the team’s appeal. Randle, the former New Orleans Pelicans, has been a fantastic addition so far, and his positivity was a welcomed trait.

Randle’s experience should help the Knicks weather more storms during the 2019-20 season. The issue in 2018 was the Knicks’ lack of ability to respond when opposing teams got hot. That is what happened against the Wizards on Friday night.

“After eight minutes, we just kind of relaxed, let our guard down,” Randle said. “That’s the NBA. They started hitting a bunch of threes and feeling good about themselves. They went on a run and we didn’t respond.”

Overall, the veterans will have an impact, especially in regards to helping the younger players, but the Knicks must give opportunities to their youth, as they represent the future.

New York Knicks: Dennis Smith Jr. is still front runner for starting point guard spot

October 11, 2019 by Alexander Wilson

Despite rumors and reports that the New York Knicks are considering moving veteran free-agent point guard Elfrid Payton to the top of the list at the position, youth option Dennis Smith Jr. still leads the pack for the starting role.

Smith has been dealing with a lower back injury that forced him to miss the first preseason game against the Washington wizards.

While Payton started the game, his performance wasn’t anything to write home about. He finished with five points, five assists, two rebounds, and two steals. His veteran presence was welcomed on the floor, but Smith has more potential, and sticking with him is the right move if the Knicks wish to develop his skillset and stick with him for the foreseeable future.

However, head coach David Fizdale was impressed with Payton’s performance against Washington.

“He set the tone for the game on the ball and with his pace. He got a lot of people involved, kept us organized,” he said. “Steady and tough.”

There is little doubt that Smith would have been the starting option if he was available to play. The Knicks only have three preseason games left before the regular season begins, so the young point guard must return soon and begin to build chemistry with his new teammates. Over two seasons with the Dallas Mavericks and Knicks in 2018, Dennis has averaged 14.5 points, five assists, 1.1 steals, and 6.1 rebounds per game.

The New York Knicks need to keep helping Dennis Ssmith Jr. grow:

The third-year player still has a lot of room to grow, and his jump shot should be the priority going into the 2019-20 season. He worked all off-season with Coach Keith smart to improve his shooting mechanics and elevate his scoring production/efficiency.

He must show improvement in his third year as Payton will be waiting in the wings to try and steal the starting job away from him. Coach Fizdale made it apparent that no player will be given plane minutes aside from RJ Barrett, and Smith will have to fight for his spot on the team just like everybody else.

Why the New York Knicks will feature their veterans a ton during the preseason

October 11, 2019 by Alexander Wilson

The New York Knicks enjoyed their first preseason game of the season on Monday night, beating the Washington Wizards 104-99. The starting lineup featured predominantly of veterans, specifically the free-agent signings this offseason.

Head coach David Fizdale is making the right decision my utilizing his vets early on, as ensuring they have solid chemistry to start the regular season is essential. They will be the focal point of the offense and defense, especially Julius Randle and Marcus Morris, two players who will likely be starters.

Fizdale did, however, play two of his three lottery picks off the bench (Kevin Knox and Frank Ntilikina) against the Wizards, which wasn’t much of a surprise considering their struggles last season.

Ntilikina will be the backup to Elfrid Payton as Dennis Smith Jr. heals from a lower back injury that bothered him during the 2018 season. Fizdale was excited about the potential of Payton as their newly signed point guard, stating:

“His competitiveness. He just has a serious competitive gene. He hates to lose. He’s never out of a possession, offensively and defensively,” Fizdale said, per the NY Daily News. “He’s always trying to figure out how he’s going to win the possession. It just stands out to see that on the court.”

If Smith Jr. wins the starting PG spot, Payton will be the No. 2 option, providing consistent defensive quality and a keen sense of ‘assisting his teammates. He’s also a capable scorer that will contribute in that fashion as well.

As for the 6-foot-9 Marcus Morris, Fizdale described how he planned to use his talents:

Small forward “is what he’s going to play more of this year. We’re going to take him back to when he first came into the league,” Fizdale said. “We like the idea of having size at that position… he has a skillset that allows him to play multiple positions.”

I anticipate both Morris and Kevin Knox will split time at the small forward position and rotate. Fizdale could also choose to play the hot-hand, and Knox is prepared to elevate his game after putting a significant amount of muscle on before the preseason.

There’s a lot to be excited about this upcoming season with the youth and veterans combining efforts. There seems to be a better sense of accountability brewing between the players.

Under looked parts from first New York Knicks preseason game

October 10, 2019 by Bob Konarski

A lot of positives came out of the New York Knicks first preseason game. The Knicks defeated the Washington Wizards handily, despite the score.

One part that appears to be swept under-the-rug is Julius Randle having 7 assists. Randle appears to be a very underrated passer. At times, he did try to get too fancy and had costly turnovers, overall. But, Randle was able to draw attention then dish it with ease. With this aggressive style of play, Randle should be able to become an above-average with how he stretches the floor, drawing defenders.

Another player that may be under looked, Wayne Ellington. He played 22 minutes in his New York Knicks debut, adding 12 points. Ellington was three-for-seven beyond the arc and was not shy to find his shot. It was unclear what his role was going to be coming into the season, but Monday was a possible glimpse of him being a vital role player. Ellington has great shooting form and will give the Knicks that sharp-shooter they need off the bench.

Quickly, as a team last season, the Knicks shot 34% from beyond the arc. Monday, the team shot 42.9%. Yes, it was one preseason game, but they could be on the right track with this group.

Lastly, the Knicks team chemistry was great. The chemistry has been well documented throughout the summer thanks to social media. The Knicks have been going for dinner, movies and working out together. Everyone appears to be bonding, challenging each other and battling, which will only improve their play on the court.

The Knicks appear to be confident in one another and want everyone to succeed. Players seem know where others are going to be after a short time playing together. Again, one game. But, imagine what this team would look like after months of playing with one another? Could turn out better then people think.

New York Knicks: Did Dennis Smith Jr. just lose the starting point guard job?

October 10, 2019 by Alexander Wilson

Before the start of the preseason, the consensus was that New York Knicks’ point guard Dennis Smith Jr. would earn the starting job. However, he picked up a lower back injury that has kept him out for the last week and forced him to miss the first preseason game against the Washington Wizards. That certainly won’t help his development and aid in his quest to earn a starting role.

Who did the New York Knicks trot out onto the court against Washington?

Veteran point guard Elfrid Payton started against the Wizards, earning five points, five assists, and two rebounds over 25.1 minutes. He was not a force on the offensive side of the ball, but the Knicks and head coach David Fizdale seem to be focusing on players like Marcus Morris, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle.

“He set the tone for the game on the ball and with his pace. He got a lot of people involved, kept us organized,” Fizdale said. “Steady and tough.”

Payton’s primary purpose was to feed them the ball and play solid defense, two things that he is more than capable of doing. Fizdale will likely use several different lineups throughout the preseason to test combinations and get player’s live-action minutes.

We may see a different lineup at the start of the regular season than we did against the Wizards on Monday night. For the first game, though, Fiz went with Payton at point guard, RJ Barrett at shooting guard, Julius Randle at power forward, Marcus Morris at small forward, and Mitchell Robinson at center.

Despite Smith Jr.’s absence, Payton earned the start because of his training camp performance. That is not to say that Smith wouldn’t have been the starter as he likely would’ve been, but Elfrid is showing something different and potentially more valuable.

While the veteran free-agent signing had a solid game, backup Frank Ntilikina finished with nine points, five rebounds, and three assists in 23 minutes. Both seemed capable in their ways, but the veteran in Payton spread the floor and set the tone for the game in the Knicks victory.

New York Knicks: Responding to Kevin Durant’s shot at the Knicks

October 10, 2019 by Alexander Wilson

Being cool isn’t usually a value that’s taken into consideration when it comes to success and attracting free agents to a given team. For the New York Knicks, they certainly haven’t been “cool” in quite some time, and Brooklyn Nets star signing Kevin Durant agrees. He also believes that’s a primary reason they cannot attract players to the Garden any longer.

“I think a lot of fans look at the Knicks as a brand and expect these younger players who, in their lifetime, don’t remember the Knicks being good,” Durant said. “… I’ve seen the Knicks in the Finals, but kids coming up after me didn’t see that. That whole brand of the Knicks to them is not as cool as let’s say the Golden State Warriors or even the Lakers or the Nets now. The cool thing right now is not the Knicks.”

Is Kevin Durant right about the New York Knicks?

From a psychological standpoint for younger players, he has a point, but building a team sometimes has to blossom the old fashion way — through consistently reliable draft picks.

The Knicks have failed to draft well for quite some time and are just now piecing together a decent team with a youth core. However, their current players seem to enjoy the idea of playing for the Knicks, as they have the opportunity to develop the organization into a “cool” place to feature.

Both Durant and Kyrie Irving were rumored to the Knicks this past offseason, and the whispers proved to be false. With the superstar duo heading to Brooklyn, the Knicks dove into the second-tier free agent pool, coming away with Julius Randle, Marcus Morris, Wayne Ellington, Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis, and Reggie Bullock.

There’s no question they have built a strong foundation of veterans, but the focus remains on their younger players — Kevin Knox, RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, etc. The veterans are built around team-friendly contracts that allow them to move on after one/two seasons and pursue more prominent players during the 2020 offseason. In other terms, they’re using the veterans to catapult the team into a position of quality and leverage that will hopefully attract bigger names. Maybe then, the team will be considered “cool.”