Knicks Morning News (2019.03.28)

  • [NYDN] David Fizdale: Knicks defense will be great … once better players arrive
    (Wednesday, March 27, 2019 2:05:23 PM)

    David Fizdale believes his system — while unrecognizable with this roster — will work with better players.

    Navigating the third-worst defensive-rated team in the NBA, the Knicks coach acknowledged his scheme is designed with the summer additions in mind.

    “Our defense won’t really, really get to…

  • [NYDN] Dennis Smith Jr. returns to Knicks practice and reveals he had two displaced discs in his back
    (Wednesday, March 27, 2019 11:58:08 AM)

    Speaking for the first time since a back injury forced him out of six straight games, Dennis Smith Jr. said an MRI uncovered some displaced discs and inflammation but he doesn’t seem concerned about the long-term outlook.

    The 21-year-old, who was recouped from Dallas in the trade for Kristaps Porzingis,…

  • [NYTimes] What Better Muse than James Harden’s Beard?
    (Thursday, March 28, 2019 1:03:00 AM)

    Filip Perai? needed a career boost. He found one by drawing Harden, the Houston Rockets guard, in profile over and over and over again.

  • [SNY Knicks] David Fizdale knows schemes won’t work until help arrives for Knicks
    (Wednesday, March 27, 2019 10:29:21 PM)

    David Fizdale wants to be aggressive on both ends of the floor, but with the group he has now, he just can’t make it happen. Free agency can change that.

  • [SNY Knicks] Latest on Knicks target Kevin Durant: Bill Simmons would ‘bet the house’ he lands in NY
    (Wednesday, March 27, 2019 4:31:26 PM)

    Warriors star Kevin Durant can be a free agent after the season, and the idea that he could team up with fellow free agent Kyrie Irving on the Knicks this summer has picked up steam since the Kristaps Porzingis trade cleared two max slots for New York. Here are the latest rumors…

  • [NYPost] David Fizdale: Knicks need to add players who can defend
    (Wednesday, March 27, 2019 6:56:15 PM)

    David Fizdale, after failing to get the Knicks to defend with consistency this season, vowed the club will add more defensive-minded players in the offseason. It just so happens Kevin Durant’s most underrated attribute is his length and effectiveness on the defensive end, but Fizdale knows the overall mindset is to add defenders. Ironically, Fizdale…

  • [NYPost] Dennis Smith nears return as Ntilikina experiment hope is dying
    (Wednesday, March 27, 2019 11:41:40 AM)

    Dennis Smith Jr. was back to practice and back to talking. In his first public comments since throwing his back out and missing six straight games, Smith revealed an MRI exam showed a disk issue. Indicating he’ll need further rehab to correct the malady, the 21-year-old Smith believes he will be back on the court…