It was an ugly weekend for the Knicks, who were roughed up by the Raptors in Toronto on Saturday, and then shellacked by the Magic at home on Sunday. In total, New York was outscored 243 to 201 over a 36-hour stretch.
The embarrassing 115-86 loss to Orlando inside MSG was the worst defeat of the season. There were obviously plenty of negatives; however, one positive from Sunday night’s blowout was the impressive play of second-round steal Mitchell Robinson.
All 9 of Mitchell Robinson’s blocks that set a Knick rookie record for most blocks in a game pic.twitter.com/ESOWZklFvt
— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) November 12, 2018
Robinson set an all-time Knicks rookie record by blocking nine shots in just 22 minutes. Per Basketball-Reference, he became one of only five players in NBA history to reject more than eight shots in a game before celebrating his 21 birthday. (The other four are Shaquille O'Neal, Josh Smith, Nerlens Noel and Anthony Davis). On the season, Robinson is averaging 3.6 swats per-36 minutes. His block rate (the percentage of opponent two-point field goal attempts blocked by a player while he is on the floor) of 8.9% is the second-highest in the NBA this season, trailing only Miami’s Hassan Whiteside. The only two NBA rookies to maintain a block rate north of 8% for a full season are Mark Eaton and Manute Bol.
Mitchell is already establishing himself as a difference-maker on the defensive end. When Robinson is on the floor, the Knicks are allowing under 104 points per 100 possessions. When Robinson is off the floor, the Knicks allow 110 points per 100 possessions. Per NBA.com, he has the second-best Net Rating of all Knicks.
In contrast, New York is allowing 111.8 points while Enes Kanter is on the court, and just 101.2 points when Kanter is on the bench. Dating back to last season, Kanter has blocked eight shots over his last 23 games (605 minutes of game time).
Robinson is a uniquely gifted young, modern big man, who hasn't even begun to scratch the surface of his potential. Give him all the minutes he can handle and watch his game grow.
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 10: Toronto Raptors forward Serge Ibaka (9) with his eyes on the hoop goes against New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (26). Toronto Raptors vs New York Knicks in 1st half action of NBA regular season play at Scobiabank Arena in Toronto. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)Getty
Now, while there are numerous negatives we could discuss, I'll on focus on two in particular...
Frank Ntilikina’s struggles continued on Sunday. He started and played the first six minutes against Orlando, but after missing all three of his field-goal attempts and committing an offensive foul, he was yanked and never checked back in.
After a promising stretch of games as the team’s starting point guard last month, the French Prince has looked like a pauper of late. Ntilikina has scored seven or fewer points in each of the Knicks past seven games. Over that stretch, he is averaging 5.1 points, 1.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.3 turnovers, while shooting a putrid 28.0% from the floor and 13% from 3-point territory.
Last season, Ntilikna was one of only three players in the league to attempt least 500 field goals and shoot below 37% from the floor. This season, Frank is somehow shooting worse from the field and from behind the arc. Yes, his defense has remained solid, but he clearly lacks confidence on the other end of the floor.
The good news is Frank has been undeterred and continues to fire away. He’s actually averaging more field goal attempts per-36 minutes during this most recent seven-game slump than he did over the first seven games of the season.
After benching him at the start of the second half on Sunday, coach David Fizdale reminded the assembled group of reporters after the game that the starting lineup has been fluid all year and would remain so. Some interpreted that as Fizdale acknowledging he would consider yanking Ntilikina out of the starting point guard role.
In my opinion, this would be a mistake. As I detailed last month, one of the primary focal points for Fizdale and the Knicks coaching staff for the remainder of this season should be figuring out if Frank is capable of developing into a quality starting PG in today’s NBA. We already know that, at a minimum, Ntilikina will have value as a dogged defender that can guard multiple positions. However, can he handle the point and facilitate an offense effectively? Can he knock down open jumpers and make defenses respect his 3-point shot?
Heading into next offseason, when the Knicks will have a high lottery pick and upwards of $30 million to spend on free agents, where will Ntilikina fit into their plans? Will they need to draft or a sign a point of the future?
Part of determining a player’s long-term potential is seeing how he bounces back from adversity. Fizdale should continue to throw Frank into the deep end of the pool. Find out now, while the team’s won/loss record is of secondary importance, if the kid can swim.
Earlier this month, Fizdale said it would be a mistake to go “from game-to-game trying to make this tweak or that tweak to try to chase a win instead of building the overall chemistry of the group.” He added: “I’m trying to figure out what works best for the overall group and I have to look at the big picture.”
Looking at that picture, it’s best for Frank to continue to take his lumps now, while also developing on-court chemistry with Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Allonzo Trier, Damyean Dotson and the rest of the young Knicks nucleus.
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 10: Frank Ntilikina #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on November 10, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)Getty
Unlike Ntilikina, Tim Hardway Jr’s confidence seemingly never sags. Regardless of many shots he may have missed in a row, Hardaway - like all great scorers - believes the next one is going down.
At first blush, THJ’s numbers this season looks terrific. He’s averaging a team-high 23.2 points and has continually provided buckets for a team badly in need of offense most nights.
However, dig a little deeper, and you see those points come at a cost. Hardaway, who struggled with efficiency last season, has seen his field goal percentage dip to 41.6%. He is one of only two players in the league who has attempted more than 200 shots yet is shooting below 42%.
One of the primary reasons for Hardaway’s inconsistency is his bad habit of settling for long-distance, contested jumpers. Per NBA.com tracking data, THJ is shooting 35.1% on field goals when closely contested (defender within 0-2 feet). On wide-open attempts, he is shooting 48.3%
Furthermore, Hardaway is the best offensive version of himself when he attacks the tin, drives into the paint and draws contact, as opposed to taking the first available shot. One way to measure the impact his approach has on his efficiency is to analyze his stats when he gets to the line.
In the six games this season in which THJ has attempted at least five free throws, he is averaging 30.5 points per game, while shooting 46.9% shooting from the floor.
In the seven contests in which he has attempted fewer than five free throws, he is averaging 16.8 points per game, while shooting 34.6% from the floor.
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 10: Tim Hardaway Jr. #3 of the New York Knicks gives a thumbs up to a teammate during the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on November 10, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)Getty
