Knicks Morning News (2017.11.22)

New York Knicks guard Ron Baker has been unavailable to coach Jeff Hornacek since the third game this season because of a sore left shoulder.

Tim Hardaway Jr. took one for the team as he played through his “intense soreness” in his left foot last night against the Clippers.

Frank Ntilikina has a valid excuse to explain his worst performance as a Knick on Monday night against the Clippers.

Boston has won 16 straight games, and with a schedule of winnable games, they could quickly rise in the ranks of the longest N.B.A. winning streaks.

Using the same core players, Toronto has reset its culture and become a convert to 3-point shooting, floor spacing and ball movement over isolation play.

He has the name, the size and the attitude to succeed. A 7-footer with a strong perimeter game, Bol has committed to playing at Oregon.

The kid listens. And that is half the battle for rookie Frank Ntilikina, according to veteran Knicks point guard Jarrett Jack, who has found it is so much easier to lead and teach a guy who wants to be led and taught. And that’s especially true when you’re dealing with all the elements players endure…

When Enes Kanter came to the Knicks, one word stood out about his defense. Awful. And that was on the good days. “That was my focus coming out here because there were all these comments, that, ‘Oh, he can score the ball. Offensively he’s at an All-Star level, but defensively he’s bad,’” the 6-foot-11 center…

This is New York, OK? So there is pressure. There is ALWAYS pressure for sports teams in New York, just like there are traffic jams for motorists. ALWAYS. But Kristaps Porzingis, the universally regarded face of the Knicks franchise, says the pressure is reduced this year, that expectations were lower at the start of the…

The difference is like night and day, salt and pepper, Laurence Olivier and Pee-wee Herman. Or in this case, the Knicks offense this season compared to their offense of last season. Yup, “Hamlet” against “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.” “They’re just playing freer. It just seems like they have a whole different spirit,” coach Doc Rivers said…

With the Knicks off to an improbable 9-7 start this Thanksgiving week following their rout of the Clippers, it’s time to offer up thanks to president Steve Mills and GM Scott Perry for their vision. The Knicks have assured themselves a winning record on Thanksgiving Day, regardless of what happens in Wednesday’s Raptors rematch at…

Enes Kanter only became a Knick in September, but he cares about their past and is motivated by their negative history.

The Knicks’ emotional leader doesn’t just get his extra edge from natural adrenaline. Enes Kanter also uses his phone.