Knicks Worse Than Homework For My Mental Health

Jan 27

As I am writing this article on Thursday, January 27th, in the year 2022, I am deeply disappointed in the effort given and display by the New York Knicks this season. They are currently sitting at 23-26, tied for 11th in a loaded Eastern Conference that has 6 different teams within 2.5 games of each other for the top spot. Last years Knicks practically had the same record as this years Knicks through 49 games, but there was a difference in effort and leadership throughout the roster.

On Sunday, the Knicks got a great win against the Clippers where every single player played super hard, led by Julius Randle and RJ Barrett, who took on the assignment of getting the job done on both ends. However, this effort did not keep up for long. Against the Cavaliers earlier this week, they put up a decent fight in the first half, sitting tied at 50-50 by halftime. In the 3rd quarter, Kevin Love got insanely hot and hit multiple 3’s in a row, as the Garland-Love pick and rolls annihilated the Knicks defense. They did not communicate on switches or hedges or the other defensive actions they could have done, including help defense from the other guys not paying attention.

However, they put up a great fight to end the quarter and going on in the 4th, mainly from RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes. Barrett finally hit a 3 in the 4th, and was able to attack Mobley well in the quarter, as well as play great defense on the other end. Grimes, however, had his shot fall the whole time, being the first guy to get the run going, as well as harass ball handlers on the other side.

Of course, in classic Knickerbocker fashion, it was too late, as Garland hit a 3 late to break the tie and the Knicks drew up a horrible out of bounds play that got them an air-ball to lose the game.

Against Miami, the only starters that gave any effort whatsoever were RJ Barrett and Kemba Walker, but Kemba wasn’t able to provide much in the stat sheet besides some shooting and a couple good drawn charges. Barrett matched Miami’s aggressiveness throughout his playing time, getting to the basket and staying ready to shoot, finishing 6/11 from the field and 3/5 from 3. And I will also say, Mitchell Robinson had no business playing on that ankle as he seemed fairly restricted in his movement.

The bench, though, was very aggressive when it had the opportunity to get out there. Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, and (even though I have been hard on him this season) Immanuel Quickley really showed effort on the defensive end, and moved the ball unselfishly on offense. Between them, nobody cared who took the shots, as long as they were good shots, which cannot be seen in the starting lineup.

If it wasn’t fairly obvious, the Knicks got blown out this game, 110-96. The Knicks now have to go to Milwaukee to play another top dog in the East for the 3rd straight game tomorrow at 10pm.