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3 things Knicks learned from their recent tough schedule stretch

By Zachary Bachar

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 02: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks gestures to a referee during the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on November 02, 2022 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 02: Obi Toppin #1 of the New York Knicks gestures to a referee during the second quarter of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on November 02, 2022 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Obi Toppin
Obi Toppin, New York Knicks. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

3. More Obi Toppin/Julius Randle minutes

Perhaps the most surprising player through the first 11 games has been Obi Toppin, who’s averaged 10.3 points in just 17.6 minutes per game on absurd 48-40-100 shooting splits.

He needs to be getting more playing time, and one avenue into doing that is by playing him alongside Julius Randle in small-ball lineups. Thibodeau has been hesitant to give them playing time together, but the results are starting to speak for themselves.

The Randle/Toppin frontcourt was essentially the main reason why the Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers, coming back from a double-digit fourth quarter deficit as soon as both power forwards checked into the game together.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that Toppin is the Knicks’ most efficient offensive player this year, ranking fourth on the team in scoring despite currently sitting at ninth in minutes per game. There needs to be a concerted effort by the coaching staff to make sure he gets more playing time.

In the 27 minutes that Randle and Toppin have shared the floor this season, New York is outscoring their opponents by 7.4 points per 100 possessions. Long story short, they need to finish the season with way more than just 27 minutes together.

While the Knicks didn’t dominate their recent stretch of games against some of the league’s elite, they still learned several valuable lessons that can set the team up for success both this season and beyond.

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