When hot, the Knicks are easily one of the most fun teams to watch this season. When cold, they are one of the most annoying teams to watch. I say this because almost every single game from the Knicks this season has ended depending on the type of effort that the team collectively provides that day. When the team decides to communicate on defense, not go through the motions on offense, take advantage of matchups, and make some damn free throws, they generally tend to leave the arena with a win. The problem with this team is, this only happens about half of the time when the Knicks step on the floor.

The Knicks offense, when working, involves a lot of dribble hand off action with Julius Randle and Evan Fournier with a cutter involved, pick and roll action with RJ Barrett and a big while a shooter gets a screen in the corner or other side of the ball. When they do this, they win games. However, many times, the Randle or Barrett action has nobody else moving except the ball handler as everyone stands around.

During their short 3 game win streak, the ball moved, and they had a defensive identity, not letting the other teams best player get off, while every starter basically scored in double digits. When they lose, it’s all about effort and the little things. Monday against Charlotte, the Knicks got bullied by a zone defense, which seems crazy to say, but it is so true. The Knicks are an NBA team, and did not know how to attack a zone, which is ludicrous and embarrassing as a Knicks fan.

The Knicks, when faced with any ball pressure, move to side to side with the ball, rather than attack and dish in the zone. Defensively, the Knicks played with their hands instead of their feet, making stupid fouls and reaching when they did not need to reach. Overall, to follow the 3 game win streak with that effort is appalling.