Knicks Morning News (2023.02.25)

Another comeback, another gritty win and winning when many players have an off night is a great sign.

This team has talent*, now they’re gelling, J-Hart acquisition helped Thibs solve some problems (cough, RJ, cough) and, last but not least, no matter how bad they play they usually never quit.

When focused on defense they can go toe to toe with everyone (a 7-game series is a little different though)… and when overconfident they can lose with everyone.

Next: 5th place is one game away so tonight B2B is crucial, the schedule is getting tougher…

1st
On the back of Porzingis’ blistering start (19 points, 5-5 3FG) the Wizards scored 38 points and, despite Randle (11 points) hitting a couple of circus shot, took a double digits lead at the break (+11).

2nd
Delon Wright (!) and Kuzma replaced KP as Washington kept raining threes and extended the lead to 19.
The “ice bucket to the face” moment worked, IQ brought some energy, the Knicks went on a 10-0 run, then Kuzma and a dumb ref pissed Julius off and he reacted with Godzilla’s like fury (11 points in the final 2:30) while the Knicks closed the gap and went to the locker room down by only 4.

3rd
The Knicks jumped out of the gates a different team, Julius picked up where it left off, RJ came to life (just to disappear again, with 2 TOs in back-to-back possessions that lead to a well deserved benching) and we went on an 8-0 run to take the lead. Grimes airballed a momentum-changer open three after a Randle’s steal and then the see-saw started. IQ hit a three to send the Knicks to the last stanza up by 1.

4th
The benching worked (hooray!) as RJ had 6 points and 1 assist in 1:24 and New York took a 6-points lead (we never lead by more than 6 all night long). Avdija and Kuzma estinguished the fire and the battle went on with Randle hitting back to back “this is my game” threes, but the Wizards weren’t folding in front of their crowd and when a miscommunication between Mitch and Julius let Beal inexcusably alone for a wide open three the game was tied with 1:00 to go.
Then the Little General happened and gave the Knicks the final lead. KP clanked the following three, Randle beat the pressure and found Mitch under the basket, Kuzma stepped on the line and I couldn’t even be mad at IQ and J-Hart missing FTs because the game was on ice and our beloved guys won again.

Play Of The Game:
This one’s easy.

4th 0:42 Jalen Brunson makes finger roll layup (NY 111 WAS 109)

The willingness to take it in a night like this tells a lot about JB’s.

Stats Of The Day
43-34 Knicks’ rebounds margin (12-3 OReb)
58-32. Knicks’ PiP lead.
We dominated the paint.

Randle A+
Tied his career high with a monster offensive game and, after a lackadaisical start on defense, willed the team to the win.
Very unusual statline (only 2 REBs and 2 AST, but 2 STLs and only 1 TOs despite hundreds of possessions and a huge 7-7 from the line).

Brunson B
At least half a grade higher than he deserves but hitting the clutchest shot in a very bad shooting night (6-20) is the signature of a winning player and 9:1 AST/TO is good.
He can’t get to the line this time (1 FT) and I want to watch him more with Mitch clogging the lane a bit.

Barrett C
Appears, disappears, appears again. Bench time seems to do him good, it’s up to Thibs now to keep him accountable.
He makes me mad, I don’t know what to say anymore.

Grimes C+
He started the game trying a pretentious dunk and then retreat in his
defensive corner, where he did his job. The airball-3 was very bad (and not easy to understand).

Robinson B+
A double-double (10 pts 12 rebs) after a month spent in the workshop? Not bad. A little rusty but it was expected. It’s so good to have him back and with him and I-Hart the center role is well covered.

IQ A
It’s official, he’s one of the leading candidate for the 6MOTY award and the good news is that his offense is only half of his value.

Hartenstein B+
10 Boards, 2 STLs and a couple of putbacks. He’s everywhere, not always in the good sense but his rim protection and defense are underrated by many.

Hart B
We couldn’t expect him to keep shooting like Steph, but he does everything (6 Rebs, 4 Ast, dives on the floor, defense, smart plays) and mayyyybe can keep a fire under RJ’s ass.

Toppin C
A dunk, a steal and nothing else.

Thibs A
To quote Strat from the game thread “He’s feeling good about this team and where he has them” and honestly he has the right to be proud, he has done a good job**.
The “never quit” attitude is his trademark and he deserve praise for that.
RJ’s benching kind of worked and he needs to do it again if the kid can’t put together a whole game with the right focus.

* Even in Siberia
** I’m not saying a “perfect” job 😉