New York Knicks: Grades from another miserable night against Pistons

The New York Knicks dropped yet another game, falling to 1-7 through the season’s first eight matchups.

Frustrations were highly visible in a game that was lost at the end of the third quarter, as the Detroit Pistons took off and never looked back. They began to run away with this game and defeated the New York Knicks soundly, 122-102. This is the Knicks’ second consecutive game losing by 20 or more points.

Unfortunately, Mitchell Robinson took an elbow to the temple in the first quarter and didn’t return to the game because of concussion-like symptoms. With him out, the Knicks were defenseless under the boards.

Knicks went go on a run, but with turnovers and personal fouls, including a flagrant one and two technicals, they could never hold a lead. How do you grade a team that’s floundering because of their emotions and their frustration?

Julius Randle was difficult to grade because he was the Knicks’ high scorer. Unfortunately, points mean nothing if your team doesn’t win and your fouls and turnovers mean everything if they contributed to your team’s loss.

As a team leader with the team-high 20 points, came the team-high five personal fouls, which included a questionable flagrant one foul and a technical foul born of frustration. He also had the team-high four turnovers. 20 points and three rebounds do not win games.

There has been plenty of talk about RJ Barrett’s minutes. He, at this time, is the Knicks’ best player. The only reason he receives B is because of free throws, making just 6 of 11 from the charity stripe. The rookie contributed 15 points, six rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and three turnovers. Giveaways and missed free throws are a great hindrance to the team’s game.

There is no way that 18 points, four rebounds, one assist, three turnovers, three steals and two fouls, including one technical can win games. At this point, it seems that Morris, Sr. is losing control of his emotions. His frustration clearly visible, and he was no help to his team at all.

Bobby Portis came in when Mitchell Robinson was injured in the first quarter. He had three points and five rebounds. Does he have to play the Bulls to have a decent game? Whatever this is, it is no help whatsoever to the team.

Wednesday made it very clear that the Knicks need another pure center. Any of the veterans they obtained in free agency can be traded to obtain one after Dec. 15. The front office was wise in giving these veterans only one-year contracts, with a team option for the second year.

Don’t let the grade fool you. Frank Ntilikina had a very good night, with a season-high 11 points, one rebound, four assists, two turnovers, and one steal. His night was good because he’s exuding more confidence every night.

The stats do not reveal how good his defense is. With two of the team’s point guards unable to play due to injury and personal reasons, Ntilikina has stepped up in a great way for his team.

Yes, it has only been eight games, but the Knicks do not seem to be getting better. They are not playing to their potential and are not trusting one another. There are still too many missed free throws and turnovers. How can it be that the 19-year-old (Barrett) and the 21-year-old (Ntilikina) are playing so much better than the veterans that are supposed to be their mentors?

Maybe it’s time for Fizdale to put his youngsters on the frontline. They definitely cannot do any worse than his veterans.

Dennis Smith Jr. and Reggie Bullock are still out due to the death of family members. Elfrid Payton is still out with a hamstring injury. Hopefully, they all will be returning soon. They are desperately needed by their team.

The New York Knicks go to Dallas to face the Mavericks and Porzingis on Friday, Nov. 8.