The New York Knicks lost by a count of 130-103 to the Houston Rockets in the preseason opener. The final two words of that sentence are what matter.
The New York Knicks have built a team with more fresh faces than returning names. There are six returning players from the 2015-16 rotation, which means the other nine members of the main roster will be spending their first season with the Knicks.
That doesn’t include head coach Jeff Hornacek, who’s entering his first season in New York, as well.
Thus, it isn’t entirely surprising that the Knicks struggled during their preseason opener. A 130-103 loss is never easy to stomach, but it’s hardly a result to be concerned about in the long-term.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, even the debatably jaded Phil Jackson is impressed with what he’s seen during training camp.
"“I think he yelled out ‘spacing,’ ” Anthony said, referring to Jackson’s attentiveness to the triangle. “He always yells out one word. One word and that’s it. You don’t get a full conversation. He’s impressed how the team is going and how hard we were working, competing against each other. Anytime you can impress him, it’s a good thing.’’"
That’s going to be the key for the Knicks in 2016-17.
New York lost 130-103 to the Houston Rockets in the season opener, but that isn’t a reason to be pessimistic. The manner in which the Knicks lost is far closer to unlikely to continue than it is to becoming a trend.
For that very reason, it’s time to temper the concerns and turn those thoughts into constructive criticism.