New York Knicks: Three players to watch as second 10-game stretch closes
The New York Knicks’ brass noted the importance of this season’s second 10-game stretch. How has the team fared since?
The era of patience disappeared when New York Knicks president Steve Mills and general manager Scott Perry approached the podium after a mid-November loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Disappointed with a then-2-8 record, they emphasized the next 10 games for evaluating where the team sits.
Well, that second 10-game window is nearing its end, and the Knicks are 2-5.
Coach David Fizdale’s team is 4-13 and back at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, with only the Golden State Warriors having a worse record. That’s one way for the Knicks to group themselves with this decade’s most successful organization.
The final three games of that stretch are against the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Boston Celtics, so a repeat of the first 10 games is on the horizon. New York stayed competitive and held a lead against the Sixers last week, and there was a close loss Boston, too. Perhaps they sneak in a win for some improvement, but the betting lines will—probably—all go against them.
The Knicks will rely on a handful of players to ensure an extra victory or two, and it could feature these talents and their performances through this stretch so far:
Julius Randle
Past 7 games: 17.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 turnovers, 45.6 percent shooting
That 30-point explosion against the Cavaliers highlighted Randle’s recent stretch of games. Besides that, poor defense, questionable shot selection, and turnovers have carried on.
Against some of the NBA’s most talented teams, the Knicks need the efficient version of Randle that has inconsistently appeared. His upcoming matchups include Philadelphia’s talented frontline and Toronto’s Pascal Siakam, who has ascended as a star in 15 games.
Frank Ntilikina
Past 7 games: 7.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.0 steals, 38 percent shooting
Frank Ntilikina has four games of at least five assists in this seven-game slate. His zero-assist night was led by a season-high 17 points against Philadelphia.
More consistent shot-making is the next step for Ntilikina, who also has defensive tasks against some of this conference’s best teams, including the Sixers’ Ben Simmons. The Frenchman is making strides, though, and he looks like the Knicks’ point guard for the season.
Kevin Knox
Past 7 games: 4.9 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 31.4 percent shooting
Kevin Knox quietly had a good start to the season, only to watch his shooting numbers tank and the defensive lapses become more apparent. Fizdale, as a result, decreased the second-year forward’s minutes to the point of not playing at all in the second half against San Antonio on Saturday.
RJ Barrett missing the Nets game due to illness thrust Knox, who Fizdale challenged, into the starting lineup. He finished with five points on 1-for-4 shooting and four personal fouls.
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Benching Knox, as seen with Ntilikina last season, won’t help his confidence, but it seems inevitable if the poor play continues. Before that can happen, these next three games are pivotal for him to step up and produce in difficult matchups.