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New York Knicks: Three players to watch against Blazers

By Rob Wolkenbrod

PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 6: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 6, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - DECEMBER 6: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 6, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks will start their long road trip in the pacific northwest. Who are the players to watch against the Portland Trail Blazers?

On Tuesday, the New York Knicks begin a trip out west, starting with a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. They will remain outside of the eastern time zone until Dec. 17, so late starts will be prevalent over the next week.

With this game against Portland, who are the players to watch from both sides? Let’s take a look:

Carmelo Anthony

It’s hardly Carmelo Anthony‘s first game against the Knicks since leaving in September 2017, but matching up against his old team will always trigger the memories of 2011-17, when he ran New York basketball.

Anthony is 10 games into his Portland stint, which already ties how long he stayed with the Houston Rockets in 2018. His 15.9 points per game have boosted a struggling Blazers team, that sits on the outside of the playoff picture. 35.9 percent on 3-pointers is also his highest mark since his last season with the Knicks.

No one from Anthony’s time in New York remains with the team, but it will still be a nostalgic evening as the future hall-of-famer tries to get his new squad on track.

Elfrid Payton

If Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith Jr. continue to struggle, point guard might become Elfrid Payton‘s sooner than later. The veteran point guard only played his second game on Saturday since returning from injury, delivering seven assists in just 17 minutes. The offense flowed better than it had for most of the season, and its struggles was one of many things that contributed to David Fizdale’s ousting.

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Another positive game of ball movement could push Payton forward. It probably won’t happen this soon from his injury return, but sometime during this road trip doesn’t seem far-fetched.

Julius Randle

New coach or not, Julius Randle struggled once again in Saturday’s loss to Indiana. He went 6-for-18 for an empty 16 points and 12 rebounds, including missing the game-tying free throw to send it to overtime. This brought Randle’s past three games to a line of 13.7 points, 7 rebounds 2.7 assists on 33.3 percent shooting, missing all five 3-point attempts.

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Randle’s heavy playing time isn’t going anyway unless in a blowout. The Knicks paid him too much to be a bench piece. Still, they need something extra from the 25-year-old power forward, who has disappointed since posting an efficient double-double on opening night. There’s no guarantee when that will click in, but the season is still somewhat young for the New York Knicks.

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