Game two has come and gone, leaving us with a lot of hype for the youngsters and a sinking feeling about some of the reclamation projects. Usually, you get rookies who visibly appear to need time to get comfortable but our guys have chips on their shoulders. These kids should get minutes, especially while Hezonja and Mudiay are making MORE mistakes with their own opportunities. The Knicks have their young core and every effort should be made to focus on it. On the skeptical side, this was an iso-heavy and one pass before a FGA offense. I like the "anyone can attack" unpredictable offense concept; but it's not unpredictable when guys are just taking turns attacking a basic pick and roll. Game one was much more fluid and Iso Zo was obnoxiously effective so withhold judgement but let's keep an eye on that.
The Standouts:
Allonzo Trier: 20 points in the 1st half matched with NBA caliber players all along (Crabbe, Levert and Carroll with Allen in the paint). Trier isolated A LOT, but that's because no one could stop him from getting to the rim. My theme for this kid has been his ability to get to the line and it showed again (8/8 on free throws). He's not without flaws. Defensively, he shines at times but has lapses that pushed him to 5 more fouls. I also don't trust his vision or passing; though he did seem mindful of passing, it felt like his mind was made up to pass before the play unfolded and that led to some shaky passes. But this is an NBA scorer through and through with serious upside and I'm ready to see the Knicks make space for him and sign him for real to get bird rights. 25 points, 1 assist, 4 boards in 26 minutes; he also flashed the chase down block ability that Fiz kept tracking.
Frank Ntilikina: By the time Frank punched a Spencer Dinwiddie driving lay-up attempt into the third row; he'd already dunked on Allen Crabbe, hit a running jumper off a spin into the lane and knocked down a three pointer. The youngster showed flashes of scoring at every level while taking his defense to a higher level than his already high standard. He floated in and out of ball handling duty again, which was frustrating because the Knicks looked better when Frank brought the ball up period. Every other ball handler seemed too focused on scoring, Frank would throw a simple swing pass and suddenly the defense was off balance so the second ball handler could effectively attack. 9 points, 2 boards, an assist, 2 blocks and a steal doesn't do justice to how much impact he had as he ratcheted his intensity up...big time game and he's not much older than Pablo Sanchez was in Backyard Baseball.
Enes Kanter: I've come to accept that Kanter is who he is. He's a flawed defender that could use a rim protector at PF to cover for his slow feet and forgettable timing. But once you get past that, he's a dominant post player who really does eat up the glass and the defensive effort has at least been there. 22 points and 20 boards...that's undeniable. He gives these guys a lot of second chances and wore down an undersized front line. I like him off the bench moreso than starting, but if he's gonna drop 20/20 games then I may have to re-evaluate even as a defense snob. Oh yeah; he actually attempted a couple of three pointers and I don't know how I feel about it.
The rest of cast:
Mitch: The iso heavy play of the ball handlers meant we didn't get the rim running chaos (a sprain ankle after 10 minutes of play didn't help). In spite of that, his presence as a rim protector was evident out the gate. He ran down and blocked a three point attempt just like Summer League and even saved the ball from going out of bounds. 2 points, 2 boards and 2 blocks but with 4 fouls in that 10 minute span. Having him planted behind Frank up top gives the Knicks promise as a tough, defensive team for the foreseeable future.
Knox: Another victim of everybody taking turns looking for their own, this was a subdued performance for the big lottery pick. 7 points, 4 boards, 1 assist, steal and block to 2 TO's while shooting 3/6 from the field. His three misses were all 3 pointers and his jumper from range will take time to develop consistency but he's got plenty of time and seems willing to work on it. More importantly, he flashed some really solid defense at times and having two-way potential is big for someone with such a versatile game. I'm still in awe at Knox being able to grab a board and take it coast to coast at 6'10 and even younger than Frank.
Burke: He made the most of his touches but the share the ball mechanics of this system means that he's not able to be in 24/7 attack mode. 9 points, 3 assists, 3 boards and 2 steals in 19 minutes but for some reason the performance felt forgettable. His defensive limitations are what they are and he's producing plenty to outweigh that. I can't explain my lack of enthusiasm for him other than that he mostly vanishes as an offball guard and the system places him off ball way more than last year.
Lance Thomas: I'll take that 0/3 performance over him forcing things every single time out. Lance had 2 boards and 1 assist in 18 minutes but brought his intangibles for the second straight game. His 1 assist came from driving the baseline with his head up and that head up part has been missing in the past. Anyway, I'm feeling positive vibes for the man as he looks like he'll get the right role for a change...15 mpg and not going over 20 where his flaws begin to really show up.
THJ: 9 pts, 1 assist, 2 boards, 3 TOs on 3/11 from the field. I'm hoping it's cobwebs. The times when he tries to assert himself, it's not working out and he just hasn't gelled with the system yet imo. I'm trying to be patient...but he should drive more.
Mario: You know when someone shows up to a pick-up game in a full team uniform with an arm sleeve, wristband, knee pads and every other accessory...that guy is gonna try to do too much when he gets the rock guaranteed. That's where we've found ourselves with Hezonja after two games. He's pressing and trying to show skills that he doesn't really have, was that a sky hook? Did it touch the rim? Is Mario watching the ball handler while his own man just roams to open spots on the floor? Look, I'm a big fan of this guy's potential and even as he tries too hard there are flashes of ball handling, athleticism and ability but he HAS to figure out his limitations and stay motivated on BOTH sides of the floor.
Mudiay: If Mario's struggles can teach us anything, it's that sometimes less is more. For Mudiay that motto holds true. Less FGA's, less reckless trips to the lane with no idea how he's going to finish, less time with the ball in his hands, less minutes...all of that should be beneficial for everybody. 2 pts on 5 FGA's, 2 boards and 1 assist to 2 TO's in fifteen minutes. Trier is pushing for a roster spot and Mudiay is looking like the most cuttable player right now outside of his contract being kinda pricy to just waive.
Vonleh: In five minutes, this dude got a LOT done. Not all good, not all bad, just a lot. 2 pts, 2 boards, a block, 2 TO's and 3 FGA's in just five minutes. Honestly hard to evaluate because it was a high motor guy that was also pressing with limited opportunity.
Dotson: Continues to be the standout of the garbage time guys and I'd love to see him replace some of Mudiay's minutes with Frank. I really want to watch how his motor holds up with the actual rotation guys because there's been promising signs through 2 games. 4/4 from the field, 8 points, 2 boards and 1 assist with a TO over 9 minutes.
Baker: In 8 minutes he knocked down a three, tallied 2 assists, got 2 steals and injected the game with his typical brand of physicality to make up for lack of athleticism. He plays a likeable style of ball, especially for a Knicks fan, but can he be more than a bench depth guy? Not sure about that.
Hicks: Hicks looks better than last year, but still G-League level. It's good to see a bit of progression though.
Allen: I'll say this...I was sleepy, the garbage unit was in and I was focused on the guys that will make the roster; but he was still active enough to notice him. Good effort.
Closing thought: How about those Yanks? I had to watch the Knicks game late because I stuck with New York's only playoff team. But with all the rebuilds going on, we may be on the verge of a resurgence of NY sports and the Knicks seem like they're finally in a position to build long term success.
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