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.
Mikal Bridges MIA As The Knicks Fall In Atlanta
Knicks’ Defensive Struggles and Offensive Missteps: A Closer Look
The New York Knicks faced another challenging game, falling to the Atlanta Hawks 121-116. This loss marks a concerning trend in late-game execution. The Knicks’ defensive lapses were evident from the start, setting a shaky foundation that ultimately led to their downfall.
Defensive Woes and Missed Opportunities
The Knicks’ defense was porous, allowing the Hawks to capitalize on avoidable mistakes. Zaccharie Risacher a rookie, had a standout performance, scoring 33 points against the Knicks.
The defensive miscommunications, particularly between OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, were glaring. Both players often found themselves out of position and not on the same page, leading to easy scoring opportunities for the Hawks.
Overhelping has been a recurring issue under coach Tom Thibodeau, and it reared its head again in this matchup. Anunoby’s decision to double-team Dyson Daniels, leaving Risacher open, was a critical error on a 4th quarter bucket. Similarly, a late-game double Tom Thibodeau called in from the sideline on Trae Young resulted in another easy basket for the Hawks when nobody rotated over and KAT was left to guard two. These defensive missteps overshadowed what had been a strong shooting night for the Knicks, who made 22 three-pointers.
Offensive Inconsistencies and Player Roles
Offensively, the Knicks struggled to find a rhythm. Jalen Brunson, has yet to reach his All-NBA form this season. Perhaps the most glaring issue is his inefficiency inside the arc shooting just 45% from two point range on the season. In his career he’s never shot below 51.5% from two. Obviously it’s very early but his life was suppose to be easier than ever in the paint with idle spacing around him for the first time in his Knicks tenure.
The lack of effective screen setting, particularly from Karl-Anthony Towns, has hindered Brunson’s ability to create open shots. Jericho Sims, despite his limitations, has proven to be a better screen setter and helped create numerous open looks in this one. Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson should help Brunson a lot when they return.
Mikal Bridges’ role in the offense has also been a point of contention. Despite flashing a much higher creation ceiling in Brooklyn, Bridges has been underutilized, often relegated to a three-and-D role. The fact that he’s taken just nine free throws in the team’s first seven games is frankly disconcerting. The Knicks need to find ways to involve him more on the ball, allowing him to leverage his scoring abilities beyond just catch and shoot threes. They need him. For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ challenges and potential solutions, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
- The impact of Karl-Anthony Towns’ screen setting on the Knicks’ offense
- Defensive breakdowns and their effect on game outcomes
- The role of OG Anunoby in the Knicks’ defensive strategy
- Jalen Brunson’s shooting struggles and potential adjustments
- Mikal Bridges’ offensive role and how it can be expanded
We’re about 10% of the way through the season, which means we’ve seen enough of the rookie class to make iron-clad judgments on them that will never change. First impression, last impression.
Kidding, of course; sample sizes are still small, and both we and the debutants themselves are learning a ton. Watching this class take their first baby-giraffe steps in the league has been a blast, so I’ve selected four rookies worth discussing.
1) Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey’s performance has been predictably up-and-down. On the one hand, he’s started to figure out how to defend without fouling. After infamously fouling out in just 15 minutes in his NBA debut, Edey hasn’t accrued more than three infractions in any of his last six games (although he did pick up three in just 15 minutes last night). Opponents are shooting just 55.6% against him at the rim, a better number than Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert, and they take fewer attempts at the rim when he’s on the court. There’s a slight deterrence factor already at play.
Edey had a game where he went 11-for-12 from the field, but most of his damage has been done on putbacks and dump-offs. He has only generated 13 points on his 21 post-up possessions, a terrible mark, and his beloved hook shot has abandoned him.
Most peculiarly, a man I predicted might lead the league in screen assists has not been nearly as impactful a screener as I expected. Part of that is the Grizzlies leaning a bit away from the pick-and-roll-centric attack they’ve heavily featured in the past, and part is on some junior-high-school-level chemistry with Ja Morant (see here, where Edey whiffs on the screen and then can’t get to the lob quick enough). That said, he’s already mastered the rolling Gortat screen, a key tool for creating space for Morant. Now, he just needs more reps.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Personnel Owen Phillips of The F5 examines whether a coach can translate their styles between different teams. For example, what trends and principles has Kenny Atkinson instilled in the Cavaliers that we first saw in his Nets tenure?
Analysis ESPN’s Kevin Pelton looks at some early trends, such as the impact Jeremy Sochan’s injury might have on Victor Wembanyama’s offense, the Thunder defense, and more.
Must Read Joseph Casciaro and Joe Wolfond of theScore have 10 observations on the young season, including a look at the Bulls’ blistering pace, KAT’s defensive issues, and much more.
Analysis The New York Knicks’ predictable performance against the Hawks highlights the team’s ongoing struggle for consistency. (Posting and Toasting)
Replay Joel Embiid’s season debut against the Knicks raises anticipation as the Knicks prepare to face a top contender. (New York Post)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Zaccharie Risacher’s Big Night Brings Fantasy Basketball Questions
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots over New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
In the world of fantasy basketball, player performances can fluctuate wildly, and Wednesday’s games were no exception. While Zach Edey had previously dazzled fans with a standout performance against the Nets, his recent outing was less than stellar. Facing tougher competition, Edey managed just eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes. This game served as a reminder that while Edey has potential, consistency is key, and fantasy managers should be cautious about overcommitting to him based on a single strong performance.
On the flip side, Zaccharie Risacher delivered a performance that turned heads and could have significant fantasy implications. Starting for the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher exploded for 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. His shooting was on point, and he contributed across multiple categories, making him a hot commodity in fantasy leagues. With De’Andre Hunter still sidelined, Risacher’s role in the starting lineup seems secure for now, and his ability to fill the stat sheet makes him a valuable asset.
Risacher’s breakout game highlights the importance of monitoring player roles and opportunities. While his previous performances were inconsistent, this game showcased his potential when given the chance. Fantasy managers should consider adding Risacher, especially if he continues to see significant minutes and usage.
As always, staying updated on player performances and team dynamics is crucial for fantasy success. Keep an eye on how these players develop in the coming games, and adjust your fantasy strategies accordingly. For more insights and analysis, be sure to follow the latest episodes of the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast.
Something Or Nothing: Does The Knicks Defense Actually Suck? + Can Mikal Bridges Find His Shot?
Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe play a new Knicks theme’d version of “Something Or Nothing?” by running through six stats/trends (and one conspiracy theory) that have defined the team’s early season. Is the defense really this bad? Did Mikal Bridges really forget how to shoot threes while becoming Kevin Durant in the mid-range? Has Josh Hart transformed into an elite pick and roll operator?
The Knicks Cruise Past the Wizards | Are They Clicking At Just the Right Time?
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks’ drubbing of the Wizards, including huge performances from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, some much-needed rest for the starters, and the continued emergence of Pacome Dadiet as the Knicks approach a very winnable part of their schedule.
Josh Hart And Karl-Anthony Towns Rip Through Brooklyn And The Knicks Win Again
Well that one was less dramatic! The Knicks again played like the Avatar and found perfect balance in the four elements as four starters finished with at least 20 points in 114-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets that was largely settled midway through the 4th quarter. Gavin Schall breaks down a third straight fantastic night from Josh Hart and the creative ways Tom Thibodeau used him to unlock the Knicks offense before exploring Karl-Anthony Towns deep Cheesecake Factoryesque bag and OG Anunoby punishing the Nets and the rim. We also touch on Pacome Dadiet flashing defensively and deserving more minutes and Mikal Bridges confident shooting.
