With an elevated level of defensive intensity, the New York Knicks are finally competing in road games. New York needs Kristaps Porzingis to close them out.
Kristaps Porzingis is the franchise player, and New York Knicks fans would be crazy to ask for anyone but him. He’s a 7’3″ anomaly with an unparalleled offensive skill set, unrivaled defensive potential, and a personality that lights up every room he enters.
Thus, as Porzingis progresses through his first season as a franchise player, it’s of critical importance that fans don’t lose sight of the context of this situation.
In saying that, there’s a thin line that can be toed between constructive criticism and ridicule. It’s dangerous territory, but critiquing performances and stressing the importance of certain improvements should be a healthy exercise.
In the case of Porzingis, he’s reached the point of the 2017-18 NBA regular season that every franchise player one day encounters: The time to put the, “Hero,” in hero ball..
Porzingis led New York to overachieving success early in 2017-18 with a string of sensational performances. Over the course of the first 11 outings, he averaged 30.4 points per game on a slash line of .513/.411/.841.
That enabled the Knicks to secure a 6-5 record through 11 games, including impressive victories over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers.
New York has continued to perform at a high level, but its .500 record is in jeopardy of becoming a standard it yearns to return to. It’s 17-17 on the season, but 15 of those wins have come under the comforting lights of Madison Square Garden.
At 2-11, the Knicks have the second-worst road record in the NBA behind only the Charlotte Hornets at 2-12.
Each of the Knicks’ first seven road losses were by double digits, but three of the past four games have come down to the wire. That alone is a sign of progress, as the games that were once blowouts are now becoming close encounters.
Unfortunately, the same harsh reality remains about this Knicks team: For as talented as it is, it can’t seem to close out road games.
That’s a team-wide issue, as the energy and defensive intensity that New York plays with at home simply hasn’t traveled. Thus, if we’re talking about how the Knicks can become an elite unit on the road, then it’s all about the team.
If the question is how the Knicks can secure the single road win they desperately need to build its momentum, however, the answer is that it’s all about Kristaps Porzingis.
Porzingis shouldn’t have to carry the Knicks to upwards of 41 victories and a postseason appearance. When the team most desperately needs a victory, however, it’s the franchise player who must be able to step up and lead his team to the desired result.
That much becomes even more true when one provides the necessary context: Much as Porzingis has carried his team to some victories, the supporting cast has done the same.
When the Knicks upset the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, Dec. 16, Porzingis was sidelined by an injury. When New York stunned the Boston Celtics 102-93 on Thursday, Dec. 21, Porzingis shot 0-of-11 from the field.
This is in no way a criticism of Porzingis, but instead a comment that a postseason-caliber team is forming around him.
New York has proven that it can win a spot game when Porzingis is either sidelined by an injury or struggling to get his shot to fall. Porzingis has proven that he can lead his team to victory when his teammates struggle to pull their weight.
In order for the Knicks to snap out of their funk on the road, it will take a combination of the team stepping up and the franchise player closing out.
Against the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons, the Knicks seemed to find the formula for success. They held a lead heading into the fourth quarter of both games, due in large part to the prioritization of defense.
Unfortunately, the Knicks struggled to close out the two games, as they were outscored 51-40 between the two fourth quarters.
As the Knicks play 19 of the next 26 games on the road, they must maintain their improved defensive intensity. New York boasts a defensive rating of 102.3 over the past five road games—an impressive feat considering it lost 109-101 to the Charlotte Hornets.
If it locks in on defense on a nightly basis, then Porzingis will have opportunities to do what’s required of him and take over close games.
It’s worth noting that Tim Hardaway Jr. should return from his lower leg injury at some point in January. Hardaway leads the Knicks in three-point field goals made per game, and ranks No. 2 in both points and assists.
With or without Hardaway, however, New York needs to win on the road—and Porzingis is the player who can make that happen.
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Kristaps Porzingis may not be the player to blame for the road woes, but he’s the player who can save the New York Knicks.