The Knicks can declare the title for least dysfunctional crew in New York. Not the most effective.
If Wednesday evening had been any indication, they’re nonetheless beneath the Nets, who’ve been rejuvenated since Steve Nash’s removing and Kyrie Irving’s suspension.
Of course, the massive motive for the hole stays Kevin Durant, the best expertise to ever play within the NBA for NYC (Dr. J could be No. 1 however solely performed within the ABA for the New York Nets, and that was technically on Long Island). The Knicks had been no match in Barclays Center on Wednesday evening, conceding to outer borough very early within the 112-85 wire-to-wire defeat.
The Knicks (5-6) folded by halftime, when the deficit reached 25 factors. It was by no means shut within the second half. Tom Thibodeau and his gamers all harped on their effort, or lack thereof, which is a typical excuse after a blowout defeat.
“They played harder than us,” Jalen Brunson mentioned. “We simply didn’t reply quick sufficient. We made a run within the third, but it surely wasn’t sturdy sufficient and we didn’t play arduous sufficient.
“It’s not OK. It’s something that we need to quickly recover from.”
Thibodeau mentioned the Knicks resorted to hero ball after falling right into a deficit.
“It snowballed on us. Probably over dribbling,” Thibodeau mentioned. “Because of the switching you have to cut more. So you have to slip, you have to put pressure on the rim. You can’t stand around. You’ve got to move the ball, you’ve got to move your bodies. So there’s no stats for that. That’s just giving yourself up for the team.”
Julius Randle’s stat line appeared properly sufficient (24 factors, 11 rebounds) however he was lax on protection and outplayed by Durant, who notched his first triple-double of the season with 29 factors, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.
The Nets have now gained eight straight towards the Knicks, a stretch that began with Durant’s first sport towards the rival in a Brooklyn uniform. Durant’s profession document towards the Knicks is 21-3.
On second thought, we will’t name it a rivalry. Durant has enjoyable punishing the Knicks and taunted some followers earlier than the sport.
“So long as I’ve got a Nets jersey on, if I see a Knicks fan, I’m always going to give them a thumbs down or give them some sh— about being a Knicks fan,” Durant mentioned.
RJ Barrett, then again, is now 1-9 towards the Nets in his profession.
“It’s annoying but what can you do about it?” Barrett mentioned. “Every time you come to the court, know that it’s a big game. We’ll be ready next time.”
Despite their encouraging play within the final week or so, the aura of uneasiness and potential combustion hovers over the Nets (5-7). Almost all of that’s associated to Irving.
On Wednesday evening, as an illustration, because the Nets had been introducing Jacque Vaughn as their everlasting head coach, a bunch of Black Hebrew Israelites had been outdoors Barclays Center protesting Irving’s suspension whereas distributing anti-Semitic pamphlets.
Irving wasn’t round Wednesday and GM Sean Marks acknowledged he hasn’t spoken on to his level guard in regards to the suspension.
The Knicks don’t have that sort of drama however they’ll’t be confused for title contenders. Wednesday evening was a reminder.
Brooklyn’s knockdown blow related within the first quarter, when the Knicks allowed 38 factors and trailed by 16. It was a gradual experience to a blowout from there. .
New York’s starters had been dominated once more, with Randle, Brunson and Barrett all ending with +/- of -22 or worse. The Knicks shot simply 32 % and their 85 factors represented a season-low.
“They got off to a fast start,” Randle mentioned, “we just never recovered.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com