Westchester Knicks: Top 5 Moments Of 2016
4. NBA D-League Playoffs In Westchester
Coming off a 10-win season, the Westchester Knicks were looking to rebound in a strong fashion. Westchester went 1-20 in the final 21 games during the 2014-15 season and were hoping head coach Mike Miller would lead the team towards success.
That’s what he did.
The Knicks had a strong roster. Travis Trice was a master of the midrange shot and he could also distribute the ball. Although he missed the first five games of the season, Jimmer Fredette was the go-to scorer on the team.
The frontcourt was loaded with a strong defensive presence. Darion Atkins and Jordan Bachynski, two players who were the Defensive Player of the Year of their respective conferences in college, helped the Westchester Knicks to be one of the top defenses in the NBA D-League.
Bachynski was a strong interior defender and the shot blocker the Knicks needed.
The Knicks won their first six games of the season. Westchester won their 10th game of the season on Dec. 18, which was huge for the team since the 2014-15 squad totaled 10 wins for the season.
Some of the most impressive wins Westchester totaled were against the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Westchester picked up a victory early on in the season. The two teams met in three straight games in January and February (Jan. 29, Jan. 30, and Feb. 5).
In the first two games, Jimmer Fredette had an explosive performance on offense. In their final meeting of the regular season, the Knicks defense stepped up and held Sioux Falls to 91 points.
It benefited the Knicks that the Skyforce were a little short-handed that night, as Sioux Falls chose to play seven players.
But as the season went on, the Skyforce bolstered their roster and became one of the most dominant teams the NBA D-League has seen. Sioux Falls went on to win 18 of their final 21 games en route to a record 40-win season.
The Westchester Knicks had the support of 2,096 fans at the Westchester County Center. Larry Johnson and John Starks were in attendance, along with former New York Liberty guard Teresa Weatherspoon.
Some of the 2015-16 Knicks players—Kristaps Porzingis, Cleanthony Early, Kyle O’Quinn, Langston Galloway, Sasha Vujacic and Jose Calderon—were on hand to support the Dub Knicks, as well.
Great time with the Fellas at the @wcknicks playoff game. Tough loss. Always know where you come from! @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/snzf2guJ2C
— Langston Galloway (@LangGalloway10) April 6, 2016
With the first game of the series in Westchester, there was a thought that the Knicks had an advantage by playing the first game at the Westchester County Center. That wasn’t the case.
The Knicks dug themselves into a hole in the first quarter and couldn’t comeback after. The Dub Knicks only mustered 18 points in the opening quarter and almost got doubled up by their opponent.
In both games, the Knicks struggled containing Jarnell Stokes. Stokes was working the glass and dominated the interior. He totaled a double-double in both playoff games against Westchester.
Losing two straight games to the Sioux Falls Skyforce in their first-ever playoff appearance was not the result the Knicks envisioned. But the Knicks put up a good fight against a dominant team that eventually won the 2016 NBA D-League Finals.
The Knicks made huge strides from the 2014-15 season. After winning only 10 games during their inaugural season, Mike Miller led this team towards the playoffs.
Miller returned to the helm for his second season and he’s looking to bring the Knicks their first ever playoff series win this season.