New York Knicks: What We Learned From Five-Game Road Trip
The New York Knicks concluded the five-game road trip on Saturday, December 17. What did we learn from the Knicks’ five games away from Madison Square Garden?
Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) stretches on the baseline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Knicks have finally concluded the longest road trip of the 2016-17 NBA regular season. Five consecutive games were played away from home, with that brutal stretch concluding in thin air against the Denver Nuggets.
Unfortunately, the Knicks were unable to close the road trip on a high note as they fell 127-114 in Denver.
New York’s defense—or lack thereof—is what cost it against the Nuggets in Denver. It allowed Michael Malone’s crew to shoot 55.6 percent from the field, convert 10 3-point field goals, and attempt 29 free throws.
No matter how well a team plays on offense, allowing an opponent to execute with such ease is asking for trouble.
With the loss to Denver, the Knicks fell to 14-13 on the season and 2-3 on the five-game road trip. It defeated the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings, but fell to the Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns.
The question is: what did we learn from the Knicks’ extensive trip away from home?
December 15, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward David West (3) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
5. Willy Hernangomez Could Be Special
Easily the most underrated aspect of Phil Jackson’s tenure as team president of the New York Knicks has been his drafting. Despite having to endure the costly mistakes of the previous regime, Jackson has drafted two potential stars in his three years at the helm.
Everyone in the NBA now knows about Kristaps Porzingis, but Willy Hernangomez is becoming the Knicks’ best kept secret.
Jackson acquired Hernangomez from the 76ers on the night of the 2015 NBA Draft, and not many paid mind to it. He was viewed as a wise acquisition because he’d played with Porzingis in Spain, but was overlooked by media members and fans.
During his three appearances on the Knicks’ five-game road trip, Hernangomez averaged 10.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game.
Kyle O’Quinn has been playing at an extraordinarily high level himself, but Hernangomez is capitalizing on his rare opportunities to play. He recorded at leas 10 rebounds in all three of his appearances and dominated the Denver Nuggets.
New York may have lost in Denver, but Hernangomez tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 28 minutes with a +/- of +7.
Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) reaches for the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) defends in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
4. Petty Fouls Hurt Long-Term
New York Knicks legend Walt Frazier called the Knickerbockers out during the broadcast of the loss to the Denver Nuggets. He cited laziness on defense as the reason New York is consistently in foul trouble.
That issue presents itself most often when the Knicks foul a player to prevent a transition bucket instead of getting back on defense.
Three of New York’s five opponents on this five-game road trip attempted at least 31 free throws. It was a microcosm for what’s been an issue throughout the 2016-17 NBA regular season for the Knicks.
The petty fouls New York commits put them in the bonus far too often, which makes non-shooting fouls even more costly.
The Knicks are allowing the fourth-most free throw attempts per game at 26.6. Opponents are making 20.4 free throws per game against New York, which accounts for 18.9 percent of the total points it allows per game.
Considering New York is No. 26 in the NBA in free throw attempts per game itself, this is a battle that it’s continuously losing.
December 15, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) fight for the rebound during the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
3. Defensive Rebounding Is A Flaw
On the surface, the New York Knicks are No. 6 in the NBA in rebounds per game and No. 5 in offensive rebounds per game. Both of those traits have helped the Knicks jump out to an above .500 record through 27 games.
True as that may be, the Knicks have been routinely exploited on the defensive glass, where opponents are creating second chances at will.
The Knicks are allowing 15.0 second chance points per game—the third-worst mark in the NBA. The optimistic take is that it could be worse considering the Knicks are allowing 12.0 offensive rebounds per game and limiting opponents to 15.0 points off of them.
The realistic take is that New York is allowing the most offensive rebounds per game of any team in the NBA and that needs to end.
Willy Hernangomez, Joakim Noah, and Kyle O’Quinn are all revered offensive rebounders, but they need to improve on the defensive glass. The same can be said for the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Lance Thomas.
Once the interior players do their job, it will be on the perimeter players to corral long rebounds and stop allowing opposing guards to extend possessions.
Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek reacts after a play in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
2. Defensive Intensity Still Wavers On The Road
The New York Knicks are attempting to find stability on the defensive end of the floor. They’re somewhat respectable at home, allowing 105.3 points per game and holding opponents to 44.4 percent shooting from the field.
Though those numbers are far from ideal, they’re relieving when compared to what New York is allowing on the road.
New York allowed at least 100 points in all five road games and at least 110 in three of five. That includes the 127 points that the Denver Nuggets scored on an unforgivable field goal percentage of 55.6.
That coincides with the Knicks’ struggles on the road throughout the 2016-17 NBA regular season, as defensive intensity seems to be elusive.
New York is allowing a disgusting 110.3 points per game during games played on the road. Opponents are shooting 45.8 percent from the field, 36.6 percent from 3-point range, and 75.8 percent from the free throw line.
No matter how explosive the Knicks’ offense becomes, it will continue to struggle on the road if its defense fails to improve.
Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) guards New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
1. Carmelo Anthony Is Still The Key
Many New York Knicks fans have called for Kristaps Porzingis to be thrown to the wolves as the No. 1 scoring option. Porzingis certainly has the skill set to thrive in that capacity, but this road trip proved that he’s still learning the intricacies of the NBA.
No matter how excited you may be about Porzingis’ upside, there’s one reality that every Knicks fan needs to accept: Anthony is still the key to the Knicks’ postseason aspirations.
Anthony’s performance against Denver was a sign of him understanding that the process is more important than individual results. He could’ve dominated by controlling the ball, but he remained true to the long-term vision by scoring his 29 points within the flow of the offense.
New York will reach a point where Anthony can go off again, but until team chemistry has been solidified on offense, No. 7’s team play in games like this will be critical.
As for Porzingis, he appears to be perfectly suited for the role of the No. 2 scoring option. He’ll get to the point of being able to fill the shoes of a No. 1, but he himself acknowledged that it’s a different game when the entire defense is focused on what he’s doing.
Anthony relieves pressure from his teammates and is directly responsible for how well the offense flows.
2-3 isn’t disastrous for a five-game road trip, but New York will need to take advantage of the fact its next three games will be played at Madison Square Garden.
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