New York Knicks point guard Brandon Jennings ripped his teammates for consistently putting forth a weak and lazy effort in road games.
In a span of 24 hours, the New York Knicks provided fans with a full range of emotions. New York looked the part of a postseason-caliber team when Kristaps Porzingis led it to a 105-102 win over the Detroit Pistons, yet somehow came out with no energy the following evening.
Following the Knicks’ 119-112 loss to the Washington Wizards, sixth man Brandon Jennings tore into New York for its careless showing.
Jennings was wonderful individually. He broke out of his shooting slump with 17 points, 10 assists and a +/- of +19 in just 24 minutes of action. Unfortunately, his individual brilliance wasn’t enough to help the Knicks overcome themselves.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Jennings is disappointed in the lackadaisical effort New York is displaying during road games.
"“We haven’t been locking in well on the road,” Jennings said after the Knicks failed to hit the .500 mark and dropped to 5-7. “That’s our big problem. If we want to be the team we think we are, we’re going to have to lock in better on the road. We got to play 10 times harder. Teams play better when they’re at home because they’re feeling good.“We’re the Knicks. You have to know what’s across your chest. There’s a bigger bull’s-eye on it. Everybody wants to beat us. It’s a known national team. These are games we have to win. We should be disappointed. We can’t just put together two quarters or try to come back in the fourth.”"
The numbers support Jennings’ take on the matter.
The Knicks are a respectable 5-7 after 12 games, but four of those five victories have come at Madison Square Garden. New York is just 1-5 away from home, which would translate to roughly seven road wins in 41 outings.
It’s highly unlikely that the Knicks will have any chance at making the playoffs if they finish 7-34 on the road.
Not only is New York 1-5 away from Madison Square Garden, but it’s allowed at least 115 points in four of its six road games.
Defense is about more than effort, but teams that consistently allow 115 points aren’t trying very hard. It’s understandable to be fatigued on the second night of a back-to-back, but to play without energy is unforgivable.
Per Berman, Jennings can’t understand how the Knicks lost—nor can he process how his teammates aren’t more desperate.
"“This is a team desperate for a win and they got one,’’ said Jennings, who finished with 17 points and 10 assists. “They just lost to Philly [Wednesday] night. They come in and beat us. We need to be more desperate.”“When coaches are doing the game plan, we got to listen,’’ Jennings added. “When the coach is writing the play, everybody’s got to pay attention. There’s a lot stake for us.’’"
That’s brutal honesty from a player who’s on the practice court, in the locker room, on the bench, and running the floor with this coaches teammates.
New York is a veteran team with respected players who have never won at the highest level. 32-year-old Carmelo Anthony, 31-year-old Joakim Noah, and 28-year-old Derrick Rose have all been to the Conference Finals, but none have reached the NBA Finals.
Courtney Lee made the NBA Finals in 2009 as a rookie with the Orlando Magic, but the 31-year-old has never made it back.
Jennings is as hungry as anyone on the roster. He ruptured his left achilles tendon in January of 2015 and is out to prove he still belongs in the NBA. Performances like his showing against Washington suggest he does.
Winning is paramount, however, and the Knicks won’t make it very far without committing to a consistently strong effort.
Must Read: Kristaps Porzingis made history against the Detroit Pistons
New York’s next opportunity to make a statement will be on Sunday, November 20 against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden.
Expect Jennings to be fired up.