Gavin Schall here, the host of the daily Locked On Knicks podcast, with your daily Locked On Knicks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Knicks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Engines Down In H-Town
Knicks’ Struggles Against the Rockets: A Tough Night in Houston
One of the most noticeable issues during the game was the inconsistent officiating. It seemed like the referees couldn’t decide on a consistent flow, which disrupted the Knicks’ rhythm. Jalen Brunson, in particular, found himself on the receiving end of some questionable no-calls. The Knicks struggled to adapt to the officiating style, leading to confusion about whether to play a finesse game or a more physical one.
Tom Thibodeau’s rotation decisions also raised eyebrows. The Knicks essentially played with a seven-man rotation, which seemed ill-suited against a young and deep Rockets team. This limited rotation might have contributed to the Knicks’ inability to keep up with Houston’s energy and athleticism.
Offensive Challenges and Defensive Struggles
Offensively, the Knicks’ shot selection was off, and their reliance on mismatch hunting didn’t pay off. Brunson, while making some great plays, also had moments he’d likely want back. The Knicks’ offense struggled against the Rockets’ switch-heavy defense, which has been a recurring issue this season. The team has been heavily reliant on creating advantages through pick-and-roll plays, but when faced with a defense that switches effectively, their offense stalls.
Defensively, the Knicks had trouble containing the Rockets’ athleticism. The Rockets, under coach Ime Udoka, have developed a strong defensive identity, and their young players like Amen Thompson and Tari Eason posed significant challenges. The Knicks’ inability to adjust to the Rockets’ physical and versatile style of play was evident throughout the game.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots. OG Anunoby had an impressive performance, showcasing his defensive prowess with two blocks and contributing significantly on offense. His ability to read the game and make crucial plays stood out, even as the team struggled overall.
The Knicks’ early-season performance has been a mix of highs and lows, with moments of brilliance followed by setbacks. As the team continues to face different opponents, it’s clear that adjustments are needed, particularly in handling switch-heavy defenses and optimizing player rotations. The Knicks have shown potential, but consistency remains a challenge.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ performance and strategies, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
- Analysis of Jalen Brunson’s decision-making in clutch moments
- The impact of Tom Thibodeau’s rotation choices on the game
- OG Anunoby’s standout performance and its implications
- Challenges faced by the Knicks against switch-heavy defenses
- The role of officiating in the Knicks’ recent games
Here’s something I love: The Detroit Pistons with a win record of 3-5, better than the combined record of the Bucks and the Sixers. Given Detroit’s slow start to the season, and that lopsided match against the Knicks last Friday, I thought we were in for another season where the best the Pistons could hope for was besting their last season record of 14-68.
Yes, there could still be a slump; yes, the play-in still feels like an aspirational goal for this team, but neither of those outcomes takes away from the truth of the matter which is, the league is better when the Pistons are competitive.
This is a franchise with a proud, hard-fought history, a winning history, and one that’s been hard to see these last few seasons under the tarnish of poor decision making and ill-timed coaching fits. Going back to Cade Cunningham’s rookie season, coached by Dwane Casey, that team and the iterations that followed were too good to be as bad as they appeared. Casey — who transitioned into a front office role with the team last season —is a great coach, if a touch old fashioned. Admittedly, I miss being more proximal to him for the Casey-isms alone he’d offer, e.g. More than one way to skin a cat. A front office, mentorship-driven fit was always the goal of Casey even as head coach, given the rebuilding stage the team was in and how in two years its median age of players dipped to one of the youngest in the league.
Skip to last season, Monty Williams’ brief tenure and that dismal aforementioned season record, and rather than treat it as an unfortunate blip, the Pistons young talent took it as a lesson. Cade is in his fourth season and has lost more than any of his five draft contemporaries he was in the running for Rookie of the Year with. Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Jalen Green, Franz Wagner — these guys have certainly seen slumps, the nature of the Draft dictates likely being drafted to a struggling or rebuilding team, but they’ve also had their share of successes. Enough to keep them growing and developing. Cade has, in almost every way, had to take it upon himself to sift the lessons from the seasonal wreckage and keep his hope alive. That takes an incredible amount of discipline and fortitude.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis Tyler Kolek impresses Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau with his performance, highlighting his potential role in the team’s future strategy. (Sports Illustrated)
Injury Knicks reserve Cameron Payne was sidelined due to injury, impacting New York’s depth against the Houston Rockets. (Sports Illustrated)
Replay The Knicks’ comeback falls short against the Rockets, raising questions about their late-game execution. Sports Illustrated. (Sports Illustrated)
Replay New York Knicks fall victim to a questionable call, sparking controversy over officiating in their match against the Rockets. Sports Illustrated. (Sports Illustrated)
Replay The Knicks revisit the scene of a prior officiating controversy, eager to prove themselves against the Rockets. Sports Illustrated. (Sports Illustrated)
Feel Good The Pistons had to take the subway to their game in Brooklyn because of the NYC marathon (ESPN)
Analysis Will the NBA pinpoint its 3 point problem? (TSA, Substack)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Is It Truly A Zach Edey Fantasy Basketball Breakout?
Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) drives to the basket against Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) and forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) during the fourth quarter at Barclays Center.|Photo by Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Monday’s NBA action was packed with thrilling games and standout performances, offering plenty of insights for fantasy basketball enthusiasts. Here’s a breakdown of some of the key matchups and player performances that could impact your fantasy strategy.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Bucks faced off against the Cavaliers in a closely contested game, with Cleveland edging out Milwaukee 116-114. Giannis Antetokounmpo was sidelined with an adductor issue, which opened the door for Bobby Portis to shine. Portis delivered an impressive 21 points, 18 rebounds, and three blocks, showcasing his potential when given extended minutes. Damian Lillard also had a strong outing with 36 points and seven assists, while Brook Lopez contributed defensively with four steals and two blocks.
Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards
The Warriors secured a road victory against the Wizards, 125-112. Stephen Curry returned to action, scoring 24 points in limited minutes. Buddy Hield continued his hot streak with 20 points, but his current shooting efficiency may not be sustainable. For the Wizards, Jordan Poole put up 24 points, but his high block and steal numbers suggest a potential sell-high opportunity.
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons
The Pistons pulled off a win against the Lakers, 115-103. LeBron James and Anthony Davis both had strong performances, with Davis scoring 37 points despite an ankle injury scare. Jaden Ivey impressed for Detroit, solidifying his status as a must-roster player with his improved play this season.
The New York Knicks Play A Beautiful Game Against The Pistons And Are The Rockets A Threat?
Gavin Schall rolls solo on this live episode of Locked On Knicks to breakdown a brilliantly played game against the Pistons, a breakout game for Jalen Brunson, KAT shooting with abandon, the Knicks selfless ball and player movement plus another malice filled showing from the Knicks piranahesque trio of wings.
Is the Knicks’ Offense Already One Of the Best in the NBA?
Alex goes solo to break down three interesting stats from the start of the Knicks’ season, including just how elite the starting unit has already been, whether offensive rebounding has become a weakness instead of a strength now, and how an improved shot profile could put the Knicks in the conversation for best offense in the NBA.
Karl Anthony-Towns Roasts the Heat for 44 Points and the Knicks’ Offense Is Figuring It Out
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks’ 116-109 win over the Miami Heat, headlined by an enormous game for Karl-Anthony Towns, with a huge assist from his pick-and-roll partner Jalen Brunson. Also, Mikal Bridges is settling in as the third option, Josh Hart is a hustle god, and more!
