The NY Knicks kicked off the 2021-2022 NBA season with a 125-104 win over the Indiana Pacers in Madison Square Garden.
Did you enjoy the game?
I know I did.
I am so excited for live NY Knicks basketball to be back. But rather than run from that excitement, I’m going to lean into it and massively overreact to what transpired by playing a little game of “Hype or Fright?”
The premise is simple. What got me excited and what worries me after one game that doesn’t count.
NY Knicks: Overreacting to preseason game 1
Hype: Ball Movement
From the first offensive possession, the team was whipping the ball around like crazy. It worked. The offense had a fantastic game due in large part to this ball movement.
The starting five set the tone, but it definitely trickled down. 9 of the 10 players who notched significant minutes had at least one assist.
As a whole, the team had 26 assists on their 46 made baskets. Couple that with only three turnovers and you have the makings for an efficient offensive outing.
Fright: Step Slow Defensively
This starting five scored at an awesome clip for most of their minutes together, but they looked a step slow defensively.
There were many instances in the first quarter where guys would close out hard and get blown by for a wide-open mid-range jumper or full-on drive to the rim. When the starting unit came back in during the second quarter, they struggled to defend without fouling.
Luckily, the Pacers never really made the Knicks pay for their sluggishness. Still, something to keep an eye on.
Hype: Obi Toppin’s Speed
Obi Toppin played the entire game with a speed and fluidity we only saw flashes of last year. He just looked more comfortable out there.
He leaked out in transition and got an easy bucket. He had a quick release on some catch-and-shoot attempts. He had a beautiful crossover/spin move toward the baseline into a layup that looked like his college highlight reel.
Hype: Julius Randle in general
Is there a more likable franchise player in the entire league? I’d argue there’s not.
At one point during warm-ups, he stopped shooting to go high-five his wife and kiss his kid on the head. It was a sweet moment.
Oh…
Did I mention he also had 20 points and 9 rebounds?
Like I was saying, it’s just easy to root for the guy.
Fright: No Small Ball Death Lineup
If you’ve been hoping to see some minutes with a Randle/Toppin frontcourt, you were sadly disappointed tonight.
If there was ever a night to trot this experiment out, it was game one of the preseason. Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel did not play, and the outcome of the game did not impact the standings.
Still, no dice. Thibs may not budge on this one.
Hype: Now With More Threes!
If, however, you have been begging for this team to shoot more threes, you did see your wish come true.
The NY Knicks averaged 30 three-point attempts per game last year. They shot 37 against the Pacers.
We even got to see a stretch five Taj Gibson moment that really delighted the Garden crowd.
Fright: Maybe the Knicks should have traded up for Duarte OR The Knicks rookies aren’t ready for prime time
Jericho Sims had a few exciting moments and played admirably over a considerable chunk of minutes. The crowd was also really behind Deuce McBride, but it’s clear these guys aren’t quite ready for major minutes on a playoff team.
Duarte might be a different story. He looks like he can contribute early after pouring in 15 points and dishing out five assists.
Hype: All Things Kemba Walker
He got to the rim seemingly any time he wanted. He also had a great sequence where he picked up a charge on the defense and came back with a three on the other end.
He looks like the steal we all celebrated this summer. He also just looks happy to be here. That goes a long way.
Fright: Thibs’s Voice
I was not sitting close…like…at all, but you could still hear Tom Thibodeau over the crowd at multiple points during the game.
I would hate to be on the other end of that yelling.
Hype: Last year wasn’t a fluke
It’s one game that doesn’t matter, but this team looks ready to pick up right where they left off.