New York Knicks: Grades, reactions from Mike Miller’s first game as coach

The New York Knicks were not blown out against the Indiana Pacers, but they dropped yet another game to fall to 4-19.

With the possible game-tying free throw in his hands against the Indiana Pacers, Julius Randle missed with .01 left in the game. The New York Knicks played desperation ball from the last four minutes to the last second to no avail in Mike Miller’s first game as the interim head coach.

You could see that the Knicks had a different attitude as they were much more competitive in this game. However, even with a new coach, there was still the lack of perimeter defense, personal fouls and missed free throws that literally cost them another game. They were 15 of 21 from the charity stripe but were considerably better with their personal fouls, if you can say 14 personal fouls are better.

The game was exciting, the crowd was wild and in that exciting fourth quarter had even begun to do the wave. But for the sixth consecutive time, the Knicks lost in front of their home crowd. Had they just guarded the perimeter and not allow former Knick Doug McDermott shoot three of four from outside, they would have pulled off the win.

The players were a more cohesive unit on the floor, and Morris, Sr.’s leadership was evident throughout the game. Here are Saturday’s grades.

Don’t let the grade fool you. RJ Barrett came to play. He was aggressive early on and maintained that aggression every minute he was on the floor.

Barrett played 36 minutes, had 12 points on 4-for-11 shooting, one three-pointer, and nine rebounds, which was the game-high mark. He also contributed one block and one steal.

I was tempted to give Barrett a C+, but the grade has to also show a player’s competitive nature and aggression on both ends of the floor, and eight of his nine rebounds were defensive.

Julius Randle was the second-highest scorer, but he was also the reason the team didn’t win this game. He played 35 minutes, had 16 points on 6-for-18 shooting, 12 rebounds, and three assists. Seven of Randle’s’ rebounds were offensive because he was continuously in a scramble underneath the boards. It was that last scramble that sent Randle to the free-throw line for two shots, one of which he missed. That most important foul shot that would have sent the game into overtime, is the reason for his C+.

Mitchell Robinson did not start the game but played 25 minutes. He had 14 points on 67 percent shooting, seven rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and only one personal foul. He played aggressively but stayed out of foul trouble even with the desperate scrambles underneath the board, which resulted in the B- grade.

Marcus Morris, Sr. shot 53 percent against Indiana. He played 33 minutes, had 25 points, four made three-pointers and one steal. Leadership from the veteran forward was apparent throughout the night.

Elfrid Payton did not start but his impact kept the Knicks in this game. He put the ball in the right hands and didn’t allow Randle to bring the ball up the court as he often does. In 17 minutes he had nine points on 3-for-7 shooting, including one three-pointer. The reason for his B grade: seven assists, three steals, three rebounds, and one block.

Other Takeaways

• Frank Ntilikina was the starting point guard, playing 18 minutes with two points, four rebounds, and four assists.
• TJ Warren was a real disrupter for the Knicks with 25 points.
• Former Knick Doug McDermott rained threes down on the Knicks and they had no answer for him.
• Wayne Ellington did not play due to a sore Achilles tendon.
• Allonzo Trier did not play due to coach’s decision.

These grades might seem high for the Knicks, but they actually played a competitive game tonight which the crowd thoroughly enjoyed.

The New York Knicks start a four-game road trip beginning with Carmelo Anthony and the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.