Worst Season in Franchise History Mercilessly Comes to an End

Wednesday night featured a game in which it was in the best interest of the New York Knicks to lose the game against the Detroit Pistons in order to minimize any chances of landing the sixth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.

Leading up to the game there were rumors of Greg Monroe to New York “As close to a done deal as you can get”, with Monroe then immediately refuting the rumors. Monroe then would go on to praise Phil Jackson before Wednesday night’s action.

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Tim Hardaway Jr. played extremely well in front of his father Tim Hardaway, who is an assistant coach with Detroit. Hardaway Jr. showed off his shooting prowess, knocking down four three-pointers in route to 14 first quarter points. Despite the hot start New York trailed after the opening period 34-25. Even though Hardaway Jr. scored 14 points in the first quarter, he also had the worst +/- after one-quarter of play, with a -9 despite the scoring outburst.

Two minutes into the second quarter Detroit took a 41-27 lead by opening the period on a mini 7-2 run. Detroit led 55-46 at half time, with both teams converting on around 50% of their shots. Despite allowing the high percentage shooting from the field, the Pistons disrupted the Knicks defensively; stealing the ball nine times from New York in the first half and forcing a total of 15 first half turnovers.

The highlight of the first half/game did not come from any players on the court, but from a fan that knocked down a half-court shot for $10,000.

Hardaway Jr. started a 9-0 run that cut New York’s deficit to within a couple of points, 63-61 with 7:21 remaining in the third quarter. The run was highlighted by a four-point play by Hardaway Jr. Detroit answered with a couple of three-pointers of their own in a 8-2 run, and the Pistons went back up to a sizable lead 71-63 with five minutes left in the third quarter. Detroit finished the third quarter on a 7-0 run and led 84-70 entering the final quarter of play.

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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope went on a personal 8-0 with a couple of three-pointers and a tip in early in the fourth quarter to give the Pistons a 90-72 lead, putting the worst season in Knicks’ franchise history mercilessly to an end Wednesday night. Caldwell-Pope finished the game with 17 points, including four three-pointers, 5 rebounds and 4 assist.

Seven Pistons scored in double figures Wednesday night as Detroit won easily 112-90. Reggie Jackson, another potential target this summer for Phil Jackson finished the game with a double-double 24 points and 11 assist.

Cole Aldrich continues to eclipse his career high in points scored, besting his previous career high in points numerous times recently in meaningless games. Aldrich collected his sixth double-double of the season with 24 points and 15 rebounds. The only other player to reach double figures scoring for New York was Hardaway Jr., who finished the game with 25 points after the hot start.

The 2014-2015 New York Knickerbocker season has finally come to an end. Now let’s hope and pray for the best for the NBA Draft.