At the Roots of New York’s Problems | NBA

After a good run during the first half of January (five wins in six games), the Knicks fall back into their traps as the “All-Star Break” approaches. Slapped in Miami on Wednesday night, the New Yorkers have lost five of their last six meetings and find themselves well into the negative again (23-26), while the Hawks are doing better (five wins in a row) and are hot on their heels in ranking.

The Knicks are unrecognizable compared to their superb season last year, and the failure in Florida is undoubtedly one of the lowest points reached by the franchise this season. The enthusiasm generated by summer recruitment is replaced, after almost 50 games, by very, very big concerns about the rest of this 2021/22 exercise, which the Knicks could well end far from the playoffs.

Julius Randle is pulling this team down this season

All-Star and member of the All-NBA Second Team last year, Julius Randle has completely changed his face this season. Facing Miami, and although the bankruptcy was collective, he hit rock bottom, leaving the visual impression of a disinterested and resigned player.

But if his level of play has clearly dropped this season and he multiplies the air holes, it is above all his attitude that worries. Between a generally negative body language on the pitch, a strange relationship with his public, a regular refusal to speak to the media and avoidable cracks in the face of the referees, the player multiplies the questionable sequences and seems lost. The observation is simple: the player who finished 8th in the MVP votes last year has disappeared, replaced this season by a much less efficient and much more selfish version.

In great form on commentary during the match against Miami, Jeff Van Gundy lingered for a few seconds on the Randle case. Without pointing the finger at the player frontally, the former franchise coach still asked for more professionalism from the strong winger. ” When you look at your best player, you have to see a player who displays impeccable body language, and above all an absolute desire to win. It’s primordial. »

If the Knicks are disappointing, it’s because their leader, and their best player in theory, is next to his basketball. And since he was extended at a high price and he is the first option, the whole team is sliding with him.

Tom Thibodeau must do his self-criticism

If the players were infuriating against Miami, the coach is not free from blame either. His inability, or simply his refusal, to adapt during the match is at times staggering. As the Knicks starters took on water at the start of the third quarter, the tactician called two quick time-outs within minutes… without making the slightest change, letting the boat sink.

But the harm goes deeper than just questionable tactical choices. Tom Thibodeau’s method, which worked last year and which consisted in giving carte blanche to Julius Randle in attack, while betting on a solid defense, no longer works with the current workforce. The All-Star is no longer one, and in the wake of his fall, it is the entire organization around him, including his coach, who loses credibility and who must question himself.

After 50 matches, and while hopes for the playoffs (not to mention the “play-in”) diminish over the matches, the Coach Of The Year 2021 must make strong choices, even if they are not necessarily obvious. …

Lead is still a problem

The evils of the Knicks are thus numerous, but that of the position of leader has been recurrent for several years. Despite the summer arrival of stage local Kemba Walker, there is no sign of improvement in this position. Shelved at the end of November in favor of Alec Burks when the first tremors hit the club, the former Hornet then made a resounding comeback in December, before gradually falling into line.

To make matters worse, Derrick Rose was injured for several months, leaving more opportunities for Immanuel Quickley. The “sophomore” has been shining for several weeks off the bench, regularly asserting himself as one of the rare satisfactions of the Knicks’ bad evenings. Except that the former Kentucky back is confined to a 6th / 7th man role for the moment. Still, the numbers support his positive contribution to the Knicks offense. Last year, the best “Net Rating” (differential between offensive and defensive evaluation) of a Knicks duo was that of Julius Randle and Immanuel Quickley (+11.5 in 631 minutes played together). This season, it’s the duo Alec Burks and… Immanuel Quickley (+11 in 692 minutes). Although he’s not a managerial point guard, Kemba Walker’s understudy is the common denominator of the Knicks’ good offensive runs, whether it’s last season or this season. And yet, he only plays 22 minutes per game.

The problem is, Immanuel Quickley is a forward first, and he’s not yet able to lead the game. As a result, the Knicks still don’t have a stable lead this season, and that grips the whole attack. According to The Athletic, New York takes an average of 19.4 seconds to fire a shot when Alec Burks is playing point guard. Of the 88 players who have ridden the ball for at least 500 possessions this season, he ranks… 88th. As for Kemba Walker, the other Knick who has exceeded 500 possessions as a point guard, he is in 87th place…

Overall, and while Tom Thibodeau announced at the start of the campaign that he wanted to play much faster than last year, the Knicks fell to last place in terms of pace, like last year. The solution ? A quick playmaker like Immanuel Quickley, but able to better manage the ball, launch the systems and above all hold the shock in defense. A profile that will probably have to be found elsewhere.

An ineffective major five

Another recurring problem for the Knicks this season, and not the least: the effectiveness of its incumbents. Kemba Walker, Evan Fournier, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson have indeed posted a “Net Rating” of… -15.4 this season. Although they only started 20 matches out of 49 together, the sample is more than enough to draw an obvious conclusion: it’s not working at all, and changes are needed.

Against the Heat, the five holders ended the meeting with a negative +/-, with in particular an abyssal -36 for RJ Barrett, or even -34 for Julius Randle.

« If the opponents prevent us from doing what we know how to do well, then we have to do something else, we have to adapt… We have the weapons, let’s be honest, we shouldn’t have so many worries to score« regretted Evan Fournier after the defeat.

Former Knicks coach and commentator of the match against Miami for ESPN, Jeff Van Gundy did not go to any lengths on this subject.

« They really need major changes. They don’t play hard every night. And I’m talking about the incumbents. […] There have been many moments this season that showed it wasn’t working. I don’t know why they continue like this. That’s the definition of insanity, seeing something wrong over and over again and hoping for the best. »

Before adding that the substitutes, although in difficulty in attack at times, are pleasant to see playing by their combativeness and their energy at all times.

Movement within ten days?

Clearly, last summer’s moves were a shot in the arm. After finding the light behind a Julius Randle, no doubt in overdrive, but surrounded by defenders who did not necessarily need the ball, the Knicks wanted to take a step forward in attack but they only torpedoed their balance, after having extended their interior at a high price, certain of having found the right formula to revive the club for good.

So it’s not joy in New York, but there is still the “trade deadline” to put a smile on the faces of fans and players, and with the exception of RJ Barrett, everyone could pack their bags.

Should we break everything three months before the playoffs? The Julius Randle case is intriguing, and a departure is now possible. This track has never really been mentioned, but when we know that Ben Simmons or De’Aaron Fox are transferable, the Knicks could finally find this famous playmaker they have been looking for for years. It’s hypothetical and probably quite unlikely, but we repeat, Julius Randle holds the key to the future of the Knicks. Either he leaves or New York has to change a lot of things to find a balance around him.

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