Post by irish2u2 on Oct 14, 2021 8:14:02 GMT -5
After averaging 121 points over their first two pre-season. wins the Knicks slipped back to slightly over their average of last season by scoring 108 points even though Julius Randle was back playing. Was the absence of Kemba Walker a factor?
Last night against a depleted Pistons team coming off a beat down loss the Knicks returned to Earth. And yet they still are a pretty good team who won despite some bad, bad basketball in the first quarter. Kemba Walker did not play and neither did centers Mitchell Robinson or Nerlens Noel though both may be available for the pre-season finale at MSG against the Wizards.
Randle led the Knicks with 29 points and 11 rebounds and field the 3rd quarter surge that finally got the Knicks ahead of the game Pistons. Kudos to Detroit who played hard and physical basketball throughout and forced the Knicks into some uncharacteristic sloppy play though the Knicks did tighten things up to end the game with only 10 turnovers while shooting 45% from the field and 39% from the 3 point line while holding Detroit to 40% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc. Rebounds were close with Detroit holding a one rebound advantage. The Knicks only took 33 three point attempts and scored only 6 fast break points. That is mainly why they scored less points.
Individually besides the stellar game Randle had the next best player on the floor was the ageless one Taj Gibson with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Derrick Rose and Alec Burks stood out. RJ, Obi and IQ did not and the Knicks still won thanks to timely scoring by Randle, Taj, Rose and Burks and the Knicks relentless defense that made some corrections at halftime to secure the win.
Two things bear repeating. It's still only pre-season and Thibs wants to win every game.
As Randle said while watching the Knicks on TV during the game he missed because of the birth of his son (Congrats Julius!!) he could hear Thibs late in the game even with a 20 point lead.
What I have learned over these three games is the Knicks are deep, they still play great defense, they will be better with a healthy center rotation, Julius is still the man and the potential to be a much more dangerous offensive team is there. The ten man rotation of Randle, RJ, Mitch, Nerlens, Rose, Walker, Fournier, Burks, IQ and Obi is still pretty much set but Knox has had his moments as well as Jericho Simms. Last night the other Sims, Forward Aamir Sims, stood out some especially on defense. Maybe he makes the team.
One more game. Then it gets real.
Last night against a depleted Pistons team coming off a beat down loss the Knicks returned to Earth. And yet they still are a pretty good team who won despite some bad, bad basketball in the first quarter. Kemba Walker did not play and neither did centers Mitchell Robinson or Nerlens Noel though both may be available for the pre-season finale at MSG against the Wizards.
Randle led the Knicks with 29 points and 11 rebounds and field the 3rd quarter surge that finally got the Knicks ahead of the game Pistons. Kudos to Detroit who played hard and physical basketball throughout and forced the Knicks into some uncharacteristic sloppy play though the Knicks did tighten things up to end the game with only 10 turnovers while shooting 45% from the field and 39% from the 3 point line while holding Detroit to 40% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc. Rebounds were close with Detroit holding a one rebound advantage. The Knicks only took 33 three point attempts and scored only 6 fast break points. That is mainly why they scored less points.
Individually besides the stellar game Randle had the next best player on the floor was the ageless one Taj Gibson with 21 points and 9 rebounds. Derrick Rose and Alec Burks stood out. RJ, Obi and IQ did not and the Knicks still won thanks to timely scoring by Randle, Taj, Rose and Burks and the Knicks relentless defense that made some corrections at halftime to secure the win.
Two things bear repeating. It's still only pre-season and Thibs wants to win every game.
As Randle said while watching the Knicks on TV during the game he missed because of the birth of his son (Congrats Julius!!) he could hear Thibs late in the game even with a 20 point lead. What I have learned over these three games is the Knicks are deep, they still play great defense, they will be better with a healthy center rotation, Julius is still the man and the potential to be a much more dangerous offensive team is there. The ten man rotation of Randle, RJ, Mitch, Nerlens, Rose, Walker, Fournier, Burks, IQ and Obi is still pretty much set but Knox has had his moments as well as Jericho Simms. Last night the other Sims, Forward Aamir Sims, stood out some especially on defense. Maybe he makes the team.
One more game. Then it gets real.
