Post#467 » by j4remi » Sat Nov 26, 2016 3:00 pm
I've tried to make a running theme the past few weeks about the Knicks needing to find consistency above all else and I think it's safe to say that they've found a level of consistency at home. The Hornets came in with that same desperate effort that a couple of teams amidst losing streaks have hit us on the road, but the Knicks stepped up (same as with Portland). This was a game where for huge chunks the typical second scorers were MIA; Rose struggling from the field and KP struggling with fouls...but role players stepped up so that an absolute superstar performance from Melo wasn't wasted. The next step is to maintain this on the road and it'd be great if they could start tonight because a win tonight would put them a game back from the elite Eastern Conference teams (besides Cleveland) as the quarter point of the season approaches. It's too early to overhype records, but setting a strong pace early could be key with a squad where we worry about injuries and fatigue.
Rose: Struggled with his scoring for a big chunk of game and wasn't the best playmaker for chunks at a time either but none of that mattered because he turned in yet another great defensive effort against a top PG in this league (Kemba this season has been amazing). Rose gave us 16, 5 and 3; but his impact was more about outplaying Kemba and coming through in the clutch. It really is incredible to see how often he can bulldog PG's in isolation and still elevate in the paint. His defense over the past couple weeks has been beyond admirable.
Lee: 4-10; 12 points 2 assists, 2 boards and 2 steals; solid effort but nothing more. Not sure if it was bro science but my buddy mentioned that tape on his forearm and how it's kinda like reinforcing tendons and ligaments for support and soreness...so I immediately wondered if the struggles with his jumper are something to do with him hurting. Regardless, he wasn't bad but wasn't good either.
Melo: He combined this season's benchmarks of efficiency with last season's elevated effort on defense and the boards. At every point in the night, it was Melo and "whoever else is feeling it right now." The Hornets couldn't find an answer either, because Melo took doubles and turned them into assists to Willy and KP. 35, 13 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals and an emphatic block. It couldn't have come at a better time either.
KP: The bad was obvious, for a good chunk of the first three quarters KP couldn't stay on the floor. It wasn't bad foul calling, the kid picked up bad fouls and it meant the Knicks weren't able to rely on him for much early. The fourth quarter saw him trying to get a rhythm which meant less efficient play than recently, but his offense was still strong. Dude strung together some threes and offensive boards for the offense. On defense, even after fighting foul trouble for three quarters, he blocked a 7 footer driving with a full head of steam...then did the same thing to ANOTHER 7 footer in the OT. 16, 8, 2 with 3 blocks to boot; and that was a weak game compared to recent efforts.
Noah: He actually turned in some buckets when the Hornets left him alone and his effort on the boards was good; but dude looked like he was just getting over the flu. We're talking Tyson Chandler in the playoffs that one year status. I'm giving him a pass for laboring, he's been ill and I respect the effort because there were times when he looked like he might pass out but he never stopped working.
BJ: BJ lost minutes in this one because the Knicks couldn't go double PG against the big SG's that Charlotte puts out there. Still, it's always fun to watch this dude completely reset a play just so he can get KP involved. It happens damn near every time. 3, 3 and 3; didn't shoot well but didn't force anything and he played solid back-up ball which like KP is actually a weak game relative to his recent output.
Holiday: He looked poised for a big one when he first came in but didn't seem to get it back after he hurt his shoulder. He still put up a nice solid all around effort. 9 points in 16 minutes but he had more trouble with screens than usual.
Kuz: Kuz couldn't get the ball in the basket and yet it kinda didn't matter. His entry in the third quarter corresponded with a run where he picked off two batted passes to spark breaks then grabbed an offensive rebound and assist to Melo for 3. If Willy's tip in didn't get called back, Kuz would have been the catalyst for three possessions that sparked an 8 point swing; instead he settled for a 6 point swing. He doesn't log a ton of offensive boards, but watch how often he's in the mix and tipping that joint so we still have a chance at the rock...that's a low key fun bit of his game.
Kylo: He was an unsung hero in that first quarter. He came in and got after boards, denied shots at the rim, knocked down a couple of jumpers and made some nifty passes. The passing quality stuck all game but the scoring and defense tailed off to back-up level output. But he was good for 8,3,3 and 2 in a game where we needed contributions.
Willy: There are periods of games where you think "he's so poised" and then others like the TO's and three point play late where you're going "oh yea...definitely a rookie." If the ball's in the air, he's after it. If someone is driving, he's chasing them. His vision is good and his post play is solid to boot. 6,9 and 2 but lord knows those TO's gotta get trimmed down. We didn't have a first round pick this draft but still came away with an exciting rookie to watch develop thanks to Clarence Gaines and Phil doing work last year.
Sasha: Came in for four minutes and did no harm...I'll take it.
Jeff: More active and vocal on the sidelines lately; he's trusting guys like Willy and Kuz more; he's staggering the units more often...This was a game where KP couldn't stay out there; Noah was dying out there and Rose was struggling with his scoring for the better part of the game. But he got a first quarter spark from KOQ; second quarter work from Holiday and Willy; then a third quarter jump from Kuz who all fed off of Melo's great play. That's what you need on nights like this. Really great job, especially compared to Clifford who I really felt got out coached.
Random: Everything about tonight's match up scares me. Desperate team, on the road and we're on a back to back...I know this plot and I'm praying for a twist.
Shout out to the return of Clyde with a rarer Clydeism drop "banking and thanking" last night.
PG- Haliburton | Schroder | Sasser
SG- Grimes | Dick | Bogdanovic
SF- Bridges | George
PF- Hunter |Strus| Fleming
C- Turner | Powell | Wiseman
