The New York Knicks suddenly find themselves in murky water. In a season that has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, they suddenly find themselves stuck in what feels like quicksand. Problems aren’t just going away.
After what felt like a momentum-changing win against the Indiana Pacers on Monday, the Knicks came out lifeless against the Orlando Magic. They lost their 2nd home game to the Orlando Magic. The Orlando Magic are 2-1 against the Knicks and 2-10 against the rest of the NBA.
It’s been a puzzling mixture of porous performances from important Knicks players, including their big free agent signing, Evan Fournier.
Knicks: What happened to Evan Fournier?
The Knicks’ struggles can’t be pinned down to one individual but Fournier has been a major part of them. In his short Knicks history, we’ve seen him go from looking like the team’s number two scoring option to being a complete afterthought in the offense.
You can say things like “positive regression” all you want. I was someone preaching about positive regression just a week ago.
Once you start saying the same things over and over and you lose to the Orlando Magic twice at home, you have to hit somewhat of a panic button. Maybe not a code red just yet but there needs to be urgency.
Why has Fournier struggled? Is this going to last even longer?
Why is Evan Fournier struggling with the Knicks?
Again, to reiterate: Players go through cold streaks. It happens.
Evan Fournier is shooting 38% from the floor and 23.3% from 3-point range in the month of November.
Fournier has always been a very shooter. Even when he was traded to the Boston Celtics in the middle of last season, while his per-game numbers went down, his efficiency was through the roof.
So even with his new team this season, everything seemed almost like business as usual. We knew we weren’t getting a star player, but someone who could step into a secondary scoring role when needed.
Really, the pressure wasn’t there for Fournier. Sure, he took a big contract to come to New York, but he was expected to continue putting up similar numbers to what he has his entire career.
It’s been dififcult to pinpoint the problem with Fournier. I’ve been searching data, watching game film, meditating in my apartment, trying to find answers.
When Fournier was in a groove to start the season, he was getting to the rim. He’s been getting to the rim with much less frequency in November.
Fournier’s involvement with the offense has not been the same as it was earlier in the year.
We’ve seen Tom Thibodeau make some end of game adjustments lately — keeping in guards Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks over Fournier and Kemba Walker in the 4th quarter.
He’s lost. I understand making the shift to riding the hot hand. Still, this isn’t what Fournier was brough in to do. They didn’t pay him to become an afterthought.
Is there any way for Fournier to get back on track?
The Knicks need Fournier to flip a switch soon
This is dangerous territory, no matter how early in the season it is.
This isn’t just a “Haha you know how Thibs is” and “Trust coach” moment — this is a pivotal time to adapt and steer this season in the right direction.
This was supposed to be the cakewalk opening before the rough stretch. The schedule is about to get a lot tougher.
For Fournier, I think he needs to be getting some more ball-handling responsiblities.
The Knicks brought him in to be ball-handler — that was supposed to be the major upgrade from Reggie Bullock. Fournier is a playmaker.
The Knicks starters have struggled to generate plays.
Part of it is a shooting slump, absolutely. The Knicks are a much better shooting team than what they have shown recently. It seems like every game we hear about their shot quality being higher than that of the opposing team.
Don't get mad at me Knicks fans... pic.twitter.com/Go6TPchcDE
— ShotQuality (@Shot_Quality) November 18, 2021
For Fournier specifically, he needs to start looking to attack. Stop being passive. Show that you can be the #2 option on this team when called upon.
Once Fournier starts showing that assertiveness he should find his way back into the team’s 4th quarter rotation. He needs to get it going sooner rather than later.