SPANISH HARLEM – As I watch the New York Knicks lose to the Atlanta Hawks, one thing is clear to me… the Knicks could be a really good offensive team. Their defense is not quite there but we know what they are capable of. The season is 7 games old and so far we have had seen some really really good things and some not so good things on the defensive side. I don’t want to harp too much on the bad because its a young season and the defense should get better as they learn to play with each other but it is not what you are used, especially given how good they were at the end of the season.
Another thing holding this team down is the second unit off the bench. Cam Payne has been okay but he doesn’t play a ton of minutes and right now he is hurt leaving what is already a short bench even shorter. Maybe Thibodeau learns to trust Tyler Kolek at some point though its not likely. They definitely need more scoring on the perimeter because at this point it’s Duce McBride and nobody else. We know that Thibs loves to play his starters a ton of minutes but eventually he will have to lean on someone to score on that bench unit.
Now, let’s get to the juicy part of the team, their offense. They are scoring points in bunches and are shooting the three about as well as I ever saw them do it. There is no reason to believe that can’t continue and they have a starting 5 that can space the floor, so they should thrive with that part of their offense. Jalen Brunson has faltered late the last 2 games but that should change, Mikal Bridges will adjust and jell with more playing time and KAT is better than I ever expected. I know that Towns was an elite player but getting to what him everyday makes me excited that what he can do with this team.
There is hope that this team can become what we all think it can be. I fully understand that what this team is now is not what they will be.
That’s it for now, please come back tomorrow for Action Jackson Sternberg.
