Knicks Morning News (2023.11.25)

New York vs Miami W 100-98 Record 9-6 (2-1 Silver Cup)

A 21-points comeback win against an heated foe? Gimme more of this please!
Great win (from an emotional standpoint), I’m very happy.

Now we’re only another Hornets-obliteration away from a wildcard spot in the Silver Cup and the chance to play for the rights to go to Vegas for a nice week of gambling and strippers.

Next: An earlier than usual sunday start (6:00 PM) against the riddle named Phoenix Suns. For an honest evaluation of our team it would be better if KD plays, for the good of our record I hope he sits out.

THOUGHTS:

– So we basically needed an angry fan telling them to show some balls to flip the game… Fair, this is the definition of “home court advantage”, never let your heroes embarrass themselves… 🙂

– I hate the Heat (save for Spo) and as I wrote above I’m very happy today.
At the same time I hope our team (as in “the Coaches and the Players”) keep their heads cool enough to learn the right lessons even from a fantastic win, because this team has issues and we need to work on them.
We (as in “we Knicks fans”) are exempted from objectivity, so I’m ready for the inevitable “we are contenders” takes after a game like this, no matter how many players the Heat were missing nor how bad the 3rd quarter was… 😀

– Talking about issues, the Heat cut our usual lifelines (19 turnovers, only 6 OReb) and it was ugly. We really need some energy (and pace) boost in the starting lineup…

– The Bench Mob + RJ lineup (aka Gnomeball) turned this game 180° with spirited defense, unrelentless energy and good ball movement. This group is a joy to watch more often than not.

– Our 2:07 12-0 run in the 4th (JB 7 points, RJ 5) to me it’s the best stretch of the year so far… for the starters!

PLAY(S) OF THE GAME:

4th 2:05 Jimmy Butler misses 12-foot two point shot MIA 96 NY 94
4th 2:03 RJ Barrett defensive rebound
4th 1:59 RJ Barrett makes two point shot MIA 96 NY 96
4th 1:59 Bam Adebayo shooting foul
4th 1:59 RJ Barrett makes free throw 1 of 1 MIA 96 NY 97

Just when it looked like “The Migraines” have kidnapped good-RJ, he came back with a vengeance, played all the 4th quarter and gave us the much sought lead with this and-1 (after a not-for-kids Jimmy’s brick) capped by the roof-raiser berserker’s stare to the crowd.
Great moment!

STATS OF THE GAME:

19-0. Heat’s run to start the 3rd. My memory’s fading with age but I have troubles trying to remember something so bad. The starting lineup looked like a gang of zombies for 5 loooooong minutes…

39.1% Heat’s FG% (27% 3FG). Good defense or just playing Highsmith, Jaquez and Swider instead of Herro and Robinson? Can I say a little of both?

GRADES:

Brunson A-
The Little General had an excellent game and lead the final charge. He was the steadier starter all game long, with just a couple of little quirks (hence the “-“): he missed 2 meaningful FTs down the stretch, and the last one could’ve cost us the game, and his AST:TO ratio was low (3:2).

Randle D
After an up and down 1st half (11 points, 4 Reb, 5 Ast, 6 TOs) he disappeared in the 2nd. Luckily JB forbade him to touch the ball down the stretch. I won’t talk about his defense, I don’t talk about unexisting things. 😀
I’ve a lot to write about Julius, but it’s only game-15 so… 😉

Barrett A-
Grade takes a boost because for the n-th time he showed his lack of fear when the game matter. 7 boards and good defense on Butler.

Robinson D
The last two games, against two top centers, have been bad.

Grimes D
8 2nd half minutes, -19. He needs to step up big time or he’ll become the Elfrid Payton of wings.

Quickley A
Good in the 1st half, fantastic in the 2nd, when his no-fear treys fueled our comeback. Money’s coming kid.

Hart A-
Step by step his coming back, very solid performance (10 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST).

Hartenstein A-
Game like this are the reason why it’s nice to have the best backup center in the league.

Donte DiVincenzo B+
He jumps the passing lanes like an hungry wolf. Not much offense today but a solid showing.

Thibs D
In the 3rd quarter he waited 7:22 to make his first lineup change (J-Hart for RJ) and 8:03 to insert IQ for Ghost Grimes. First he was saved by the Bench Mob and later he was saved again when JB freeze-out Randle in the last 3:50.
He badly need to solve the 3rd quarter issue, what in hell are those guys drinking at halftime, laudanum?

Z-Man, I think you’re right, I’ve been too harsh with my Thibs’ grade, but I still can’t go over a “C”.

At the same time I don’t think he outcoached Spo, for many reasons including some you pointed out (Jimmy’s ankle injury, Bam’s banged up, Lowry run out of gas, Herro and Robinson were out).

I think Spo was coaching with one arm tied behind his back, Thibs’ “lateness” in the 3rd was saved by players’ pride and Brunson’s choice of denying the ball to Randle in the clutch.

To me if you switch coaches the Knicks would have won this game by 10, without the need to mount a furious (and iper-exciting) comeback or survive the potential game winning shot.

But it’s just my opinion and I liked the happy ending 🙂