Day: November 6, 2016

2016-17 Game Thread: Knicks vs. Jazz

The Knicks host the Utah Jazz in one of those weird matinee games that get played every so often. Luckily, the Knicks no longer have JR Smith on the team, who literally would be hungover for matinee games, which is just so insane and yet, hey, the guy has a championship ring, so I guess it all balances out.

The Knicks are coming off a very impressive win against Chicago where we got to see the Joakim Noah we all expected to see in Year 1 of his contract instead of the sleepwalking Noah we saw through the first four games. Derrick Rose, as well, started to dish the ball, ending up with more assists against the Bulls than he had in his first four games combined. Let’s just hope that this wasn’t some “Giving a crap when it’s against your old team” thing. Them playing like they did on Friday would dramatically change the chances of this team being good this year. A win against Utah today would bring them to .500, which would be nice.

Gordon Hayward returns for Utah today, but we can hope that he’s rusty in his first game back. Lance Thomas also returns for the Knicks today, but we can hope that he’s not rusty!

Finally, congrats to longtime poster Z-Man for competing in his first (and as he said, last) marathon today at the age of 58. Go you!

Let’s go, Knicks!

Knicks Morning News (2016.11.06)

  • [SNY Knicks] Knicks set to sign Randle when rehab stint ends
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 10:31:38 PM)

    The Knicks are set to sign rookie guard Chasson Randle to the 15-man roster when he’s back in shape after rehabbing from a fractured orbital bone

  • [SNY Knicks] Hornacek’s rotation gamble leads to big win for Knicks
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 5:02:28 PM)

    Jeff Hornacek’s gamble pays off for the Knicks on Friday night against the Bulls.

  • [SNY Knicks] TheKnicksBlog Podcast: There’s No D in Knicks
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 5:29:30 PM)

    Anthony Donahue and Moke Hamilton aren’t in a particularly good mood after a tough start to the season. The guys discuss the Knicks’ recent losses to Detroit and Houston, and question Jeff Hornacek’s rotation through the first four games. Later, the guys go Around the League, and stop in Chicago and OKC.

  • [SNY Knicks] Porzingis thrives from Knicks’ elevated point guard play
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 1:30:33 PM)

    New York’s game plan was centered around featuring Kristaps Porzingis on Friday. It’s safe to say he answered the call with plenty of gusto.

  • [SNY Knicks] Rose has strong performance in Chicago homecoming
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 12:42:51 PM)

    Knicks guard Derrick Rose had arguably the best performance of his early Knicks career on Friday night, scoring 15 points, dishing out 11 assists and grabbing seven rebounds in New York’s win over the Bulls.

  • [ESPN] Source: Hayward likely to make return Sunday
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 1:48:16 PM)

    Source: Hayward likely to make return Sunday

  • [NYPost] Kristaps Porzingis’ turnaround explained: A Jeff Hornacek plea
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 9:40:38 PM)

    Thoughts of benching Kristaps Porzingis in the fourth quarter for defense likely have evaporated from coach Jeff Hornacek’s mind. Though Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah took the Windy City by storm Friday night, Porzingis was the one who created the largest Chicago fire in a 117-104 win over the Bulls. Hornacek pleaded for his players…

  • [NYPost] One injury exposes lack of depth on Knicks’ bench
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 2:39:33 PM)

    Because Lance Thomas was out with a sprained ankle, the Knicks’ thin bench became even more emaciated than usual. So the 117-104 victory over the Bulls on Friday was registered despite little contribution from the bench, except for speedy point guard Brandon Jennings. Coach Jeff Hornacek lauded Jennings afterward as he kept him out there…

  • [NY Newsday] Knicks find Kristaps Porzingis, who exploits mismatches
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 9:22:11 PM)

    Kristaps Porzingis is the future of the Knicks and he hopes to be constantly involved in the offense and hopes his disappearances are a thing of the past.

  • [NYDN] Knicks can take late pressure off Carmelo by involving Porzingis
    (Saturday, November 05, 2016 8:58:39 PM)

    Fourth-quarter statistics tell the story of a 21-year-old who is either benched, struggling or deferring to Carmelo Anthony.