Knicks Morning News (2018.12.28)

  • [NYDN] Enes Kanter is not pleased with being benched for Luke Kornet, then gets ejected from Knicks’ loss to Bucks
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 4:45:00 PM)

    Enes Kanter had a confusing night that got started late and ended earlier than expected. None of it left the Knicks big man particularly pleased.

    Head coach David Fizdale opted to send the center to the bench in favor of the unheralded Luke Kornet for Thursday night’s game, a rematch with the Bucks.

  • [NYDN] Kevin Knox improves offensively by slowing down, but defense still a glaring issue for Knicks rookie
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 2:15:00 PM)

    In a whirlwind of ineffectiveness, Kevin Knox got the ball and went right.

    That was the rookie’s default for the first two months of his NBA career.

    It’s understandable because it worked on every other level for Knox, because a player with his physical tools can dominate with a limited repertoire….

  • [NYTimes] Athletes Don’t Own Their Tattoos. That’s a Problem for Video Game Developers.
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 8:30:01 PM)

    Sports video games strive for realism by closely replicating real-life players, but digitally reproducing their tattoos has led to court fights over ownership rights.

  • [SNY Knicks] Kristaps Porzingis livid over Bucks assistant’s role in Enes Kanter scuffle
    (Friday, December 28, 2018 12:19:21 AM)

    The Enes Kanter-Giannis Antetokounmpo scuffle wasn’t the only beef that was born in Milwaukee Thursday night.

  • [SNY Knicks] Enes Kanter ejected from Knicks-Bucks game after skirmish with Giannis Antetokounmpo
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 10:52:01 PM)

    Enes Kanter already appeared to be ticked off heading into Thursday’s rematch with the Bucks. Throw in Giannis Antetokounmpo and that’s enough to start some trouble.

  • [SNY Knicks] Knicks takeaways from Thursday’s 112-96 loss to Bucks
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 10:43:02 PM)

    The Knicks were done in by the Bucks for the second straight game, as Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee to a 112-96 win on Thursday night.

  • [SNY Knicks] After Christmas benching, Frank Ntilikina returning for Knicks vs. Bucks
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 6:20:20 PM)

    Frank Ntilikina wasn’t gifted with any playing time during the Knicks’ Christams loss at the Garden. But that’s about to change Thursday.

  • [SNY Knicks] Enes Kanter doesn’t seem thrilled about Knicks starting lineup switch
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 8:30:30 PM)

    Enes Kanter doesn’t seem to be too thrilled with David Fizdale’s changes to the Knicks starting lineup.

  • [SNY Knicks] Knicks play second leg of home-and-home matchup vs. Bucks at 8 p.m.
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 7:00:03 PM)

    The Knicks look for some revenge against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in Milwaukee 8 p.m.

  • [NYPost] Luke Kornet gives David Fizdale just what he wanted
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 11:12:18 PM)

    MILWAUKEE — Knicks coach David Fizdale rolled with young center Luke Kornet, placing him in the starting lineup over Enes Kanter for Thursday’s game against the Bucks. It didn’t result in a victory, but Fizdale liked the move even better afterward. Kornet notched a career-high-tying 23 points, making 7-of-11 3-pointers as the Knicks got off…

  • [NYPost] Kristaps Porzingis rips a Bucks coach for part in Kanter incident
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 7:54:57 PM)

    Kristaps Porzingis may not be able to help his teammates on the court just yet, but he’s still got their back off it. The Knicks star, in an Instagram story, came to the defense of Enes Kanter, who was ejected following a dustup with Giannis Antetokounmpo during the team’s 112-96 loss to the Bucks in…

  • [NYPost] Enes Kanter lashes out after dustup with Giannis Antetokounmpo
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 5:45:54 PM)

    MILWAUKEE — Enes Kanter knocked Giannis Antetokounmpo to the floor, precipitating an altercation, but the “Greek Freak’’ knocked the Knicks out again as the club closes in on hitting rock bottom. Another change to the starting lineup resulted in another loss as the Knicks continue their long, winding road to the league’s bottom floor. The…

  • [NYPost] David Fizdale’s lineup shocker could signal new path for Knicks
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 2:35:32 PM)

    MILWAUKEE — With the Knicks having lost 10 of 11 games, coach David Fizdale is rolling with young center Luke Kornet, placing him in the starting lineup over Enes Kanter for Thursday’s game against the Bucks. Last time the Knicks won, in Charlotte, Fizdale explained, Kornet was a key cog, and the coach wants to…

  • [NYPost] Frank Ntilikina is out of the doghouse and has Fizdale raving
    (Thursday, December 27, 2018 9:55:36 AM)

    MILWAUKEE — He’s back. Knicks coach David Fizdale is unleashing enigmatic point guard Frank Ntilikina on the Bucks guards as the rematch is staged for Thursday at Fiserv Forum. Ntilikina has told Fizdale he won’t regret it. “I’m going to get Frank back in there tonight,” Fizdale said at the morning shootaround. With his visiting…

  • [ESPN] Kanter tossed after skirmish with Antetokounmpo
    (Friday, December 28, 2018 12:54:47 AM)

    Knicks center Enes Kanter and Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo went face-to-face in the fourth quarter and had to be separated, resulting in Kanter being ejected from the game.

  • 3 replies on “Knicks Morning News (2018.12.28)”

    Got to watch about 20 min of the game last night and honestly I found it pretty entertaining. Our guards played like ass but I freaking love the Noah Vonleh + Kristaps Porzingis Luke Kornet front court.

    You know, I was fully on the sign Durant bandwagon but it is painfully obvious that this team is not ready to do anything even with Durant. If it were up to me I would keep our powder dry this summer in terms of big free agents splashes. If we get the #1 pick naturally pick Zion, but I do really think that barring that unlikely event (even if we are the worst team in the league we would only have a 14% chance of the #1 pick!), I would go for Ja Morant or Darius Garland. We’ve waxed poetic here about how we think RJ Barrett sucks, and other than Zion, which players are obviously better than Morant or Garland? Bol is interesting but not exactly a can’t-miss project, and what are we going to do, trade both KP and Robinson? I dunno, maybe Jarrett Culver. I would go penetrating PG and both those guys are great with the ball in their hands and have good vision. If we are going to play a 5-out offense like we did last night, or even a 4-out with Mitch-Rob diving, having that guard who can stress the defense is so important.

    Beyond the draft pick, I would really like to bring Vonleh back, and I mean on a 3 or 4 year contract at MLE-type $. The dude is just a good player. I keep waiting for his shooting to fall off but we’re basically 1/2way through the year and he’s still shooting 39% from 3 — even if we believe he will regress, he’s now shooting about 33% for his career from 3, which still makes him a viable threat from outside that would need to be respected. His defense is great, he’s a vacuum on the boards, and he’s young/still improving.

    Then re-up Porzingis hopefully not for a max, but a max if necessary. Then rent cap-space for 1 year, let Lee fall off the books, then see what we have.

    Actually I didn’t realize Garland is 6′ with a 6’1″ wingspan. Looks to have a narrow frame also– not sure he’d be project-able as a top 5 pick?

    RE: Ntilikina – I am getting pretty discouraged with him. I don’t think we should necessarily trade him but this offseason he needs to go to a place like P3 in Santa Barbara (ie. where Luka Doncic, James Harden, and apparently 400+ NBA athletes have gone) to work on his body and explosiveness. Until he gets a little twitchier, his ceiling is just too low.

    And, as I say every day, he needs to go to the G-league and get 30 minutes/game.

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