New York Knicks: Five Reasons To Calm Down And Let 2016-17 Play Out

Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) congratulates point guard Derrick Rose (25) along with small forward Lance Thomas (42) and shooting guard Courtney Lee (5) during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. Utah won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

One Quarter Away

The New York Knicks have looked like one of the best teams in the NBA for the first 36 minutes of almost every game thus far. Unfortunately, New York has fallen apart during a vast majority of the fourth quarters it’s played—a flaw that’s directly responsible for the current woes.

Though New York’s record may be 2-4, the Knicks were a pair of fourth quarter collapses away from being 4-2.

New York led the Utah Jazz by a score of 80-78 entering the fourth quarter of a 114-109 home loss. It trailed by a score of 86-85 with less than 10 minutes remaining and 94-89 with roughly three minutes on the clock during a 102-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

In both of those games, the Knicks had a golden opportunity to secure a victory over a postseason-caliber team.

Had the Knicks received the expected contributions from revered closers Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose, they’d be 4-2 right now. That’s an invaluable truth to keep in mind when one is evaluating New York’s record at face value.

The Knicks have two proven closers and a third on the rise in Kristaps Porzingis. The results should reflect the talent in due time.

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