The Knicks are sixth in the Eastern Conference, but they’ve displayed an alarming futility against the league’s best teams, writes Mike Vaccaro of The New York Post. The trend continued Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden as a 19-point loss to the Bucks dropped New York to a combined 0-7 against Milwaukee, Boston and Minnesota. They’re 16-5 when facing anyone else.
Vaccaro points out that the schedule gives the Knicks several upcoming chances to prove they can beat an elite team. There’s a Christmas Day rematch with the Bucks, followed by a visit from the Timberwolves on January 1 and a trip to Philadelphia four days later for the first meeting of the season with the Sixers.
Coach Tom Thibodeau found today’s loss particularly frustrating because Milwaukee controlled the game from the start.
“They’ve got a lot of weapons so you’ve got to fly around, and there were times where we did it and times we didn’t do as well as we should have,” Thibodeau said. “Every aspect of the game we were a step behind, a low-energy type game. We’ve got to bounce back, we didn’t move without the ball, didn’t run the floor like we usually do. We need those hustle points.”
There’s more from New York:
- The Knicks should be concerned about the prolonged slump that has affected RJ Barrett, notes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. After going 5-of-17 on Saturday, Barrett is shooting 36.7% from the field and 20.8% from three-point range over his last six games. “Just stay focused,” Julius Randle responded when asked what Barrett should do. “Don’t let your frustration overtake the reality of what’s really going on. Stay focused. Focus on the process each day. Don’t worry about what happened last game or the game before. Whatever it is, take that frustration, use it, work your ass off and the results will follow.”
- Newly signed two-way player Dmytro Skapintsev saw about a minute of action Saturday in his Knicks debut. Thibodeau said the Ukrainian center “can pass the ball a little bit” and communicates well on defense, tweets Fred Katz of The Athletic.
- The Westchester Knicks were the champions of this week’s G League Winter Showcase, which carries a $100K bonus for each player on the winning team. Former NBA guard Brandon Goodwin earned MVP honors for the tournament (Twitter link).
At least they’re doing what they’re supposed to be doing – beating the weaker teams. Playoff time it’s a different vibe and clean slate. They can worry about it then.
Yesterday was bad as it was only the second home game of the 7. We couldn’t beat MIL last year with Mitch. Hard to expect different result on Xmas, but do expect better effort.
Knicks should be concerned with RJ. Has not been the same since the migraines. Also should be concerned with Grimes. For the Knicks to take another step up. Both these players need another progression.
Bucks have clearly shown Knicks are not there yet. So we can expect a trade to happen. Especially now with Mitch out for the year.
“the Knicks were second in the NBA in points against per game at 105.4. That number has ballooned to 122 in the seven games Robinson has missed and the Knicks’ rebounding advantage has also been trimmed to less than one.”
Basketball is a 2way sport. Painfully clear to Knicks …….
RJ please, get a jump shot. 1500 shots a day. Please ……
Knicks can grab Clint Capela – likely for Fournier and protected draft picks.
If they can also flip RJ for DeJounte Murray in the same trade Knicks would be a real step closer to a championship.
I’m tired of repeating myself as a Die hard frustrated Knicks fans but RJ Barrett stinks and once again he is regression like every year going into year five. While our lone star Jalen Brunson is out playing his contract this slow footed non shooting RJ Barrett is stealing our NY Knicks Money with that Rookie extension we gave him after our enept President of Basketball Operations whiffed on snagging Donovan Mitchell because he is doing nothing but hoarding drat Capital and making stop gaps moves instead of swinging for the fences like all the teams that improved in the eastern conference except us. RJ Barrett is a bum and when will Knicks fans admit he is who he is wildly inconsistent. I would trade RJ asap for Dejonte Murray, Laui Markeenen, Kyle Kuzma,Zach Levine,or for Knickerbocker Al’s favorite Demar Derozen. But thos passive front office will do nothing as usual as we stay dormant in mediocrity. Everyone hates Randle but let’s be honest he is way ore consistent then this Bum RJ Barrett who is in year 5 and still can’t make a shot in a nurph net.
Okay we signed a player from the G League to fill in the Mitch hole but THIBS will resist playing and go to TAJ Yes the Front is Horrible a simple Toilet bowl President of BB Operations does nothing but hide. Yes Dolan please fire both THIBS & Leon Rose. Where is the Great upgrade from Steve Mills where is use of Draft Capital to improve a horrible Roster.