Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe 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.
A Deep Dive into the Knicks’ Struggles: Alex and Gavin Discuss Core Issues
Nov 4, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) shoots the ball during the game against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images|Troy Taormina/Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Alex: Hey Gavin, Monday’s game against the Rockets was tough, but it feels like it highlighted some deeper issues the Knicks are facing this season. What do you think is at the core of their struggles?
Gavin: Absolutely, Alex. While the loss to the Rockets was frustrating, it’s part of a bigger picture. One major issue is the Knicks’ difficulty in adapting to switch-heavy defenses. We’ve seen it a few times now, where their offense just stalls. They rely heavily on creating advantages through pick-and-rolls, but when teams switch effectively, it disrupts their flow.
Alex: Right, and it seems like they haven’t quite figured out how to counter that. Jalen Brunson is fantastic, but he can’t do it all. When the defense keys in on him, the rest of the team needs to step up, and that hasn’t been happening consistently.
Gavin: Exactly. And then there’s the rotation. Thibodeau’s tendency to stick with a tight rotation is concerning, especially against teams like the Rockets that have depth and energy. It’s early in the season, and players are already logging heavy minutes. That’s not sustainable.
Alex: I agree. It’s like they’re running on fumes by the end of the game. Plus, the lack of bench production is glaring. Deuce McBride had an off night, and there wasn’t much support to pick up the slack. They need more from their bench to keep the starters fresh.
Gavin: And speaking of the bench, the Knicks need to explore their options more. Guys like Tyler Kolek showed promise in limited minutes, but they need more opportunities. It’s crucial to develop depth, especially with injuries already impacting the lineup.
Alex: Definitely. And on the defensive end, they’re struggling to contain athletic teams. The Rockets exposed that with their young, versatile players. The Knicks need to tighten up their defense and find ways to protect the rim better, especially when KAT is in foul trouble.
Gavin: That’s a big one. The rim protection has been lacking, and it’s something they need to address. Maybe experimenting with different lineups, like pairing KAT with a more defensive-minded player, could help. They need to find a balance between offense and defense.
Alex: For sure. And then there’s the issue of getting key players like Mikal Bridges and KAT more involved offensively. They can’t just rely on Brunson. Bridges, in particular, needs to be more aggressive and look for his shot, especially in crunch time.
Gavin: Agreed. Bridges has the potential to be a game-changer, but he needs to assert himself more. And KAT, he’s got to be more than just a post presence. They need to utilize his shooting ability to stretch the floor and create more opportunities.
Alex: It’s a lot to work on, but the talent is there. They just need to find the right strategies and rotations to maximize it. Hopefully, as the season progresses, they can iron out these issues and find some consistency.
Gavin: Absolutely, Alex. It’s still early, and there’s time to make adjustments. The Knicks have shown flashes of what they can be. Now it’s about putting it all together and finding that winning formula. Let’s see how they tackle these challenges moving forward.
Sports fandom has long been a vehicle of escape, basketball fandom perhaps even more so. If you’re someone who toggles between NBA and WNBA, then you’ll never have a break in games you can escape into. If you’re purely an NBA watcher, then the league has done its willful best to make its product one that runs all year round, even if the games themselves take a break. If you’re even a little online then you can find something NBA-related to get excited/upset/anxious/overworked about any day the year, even in the deepest dregs of August.
Escapism is fine as a temporary measure. There’s no person alive that doesn’t seek it out in some shape or form, sometime. In basketball fandom the dangers of treating the game, and the people who play it, as a pure means of escape run fairly parallel to the dangers of this political moment.
To lose sight of the humanity of athletes, to range on the spectrum of othering to nullification of their personhood; to assume a franchise has only your interests as its sole, driving concern. To put so much stake into the outcome of a game, a season, that anything outside of pure dominance and control is considered failure. To take on defeat as a personality trait and grow miserable, hostile, blame serving both as vitriolic release and an easy balm.
This is perhaps a clumsy attempt to address the U.S. election results last night in a newsletter about NBA basketball, but it seemed a perfect encapsulation of my point of blind escapism to write about OKC’s pestering defence, or Joel Embiid’s three game suspension after shoving a reporter, and make no mention of Donald Trump’s second ascension.
Basketball isn’t apolitical. No sport is, but the NBA hasn’t been for a long time. Shut up and dribble, stop-work protests in the Orlando Bubble led by athletes personally the target of police brutality, taking a knee. Even when it isn’t trying to be, it is, because it’s a game played by people and beyond that, predominantly Black men. In October 1979, when the Knicks paired their roster from 13 players down to 11 — a move required by league regulation — media and fans jumped on the move because the remaining team became the first all Black roster in the league. “White people have to have white heroes,” Cavs owner, Ted Stepien said at the time, “I myself can’t equate to Black heroes, I’ll be truthful. I respect them, but I need white people.”
Being the target of someone’s desire for escapism can be enough to turn something from the political to the personal, and vice versa. We’re seeing a new iteration of it now with the rise of sports betting and the blurring of boundaries between athletes and fans, but Kareem Abdul-Jabbar saw and put it succinctly in the early 1970s. “Out there, you’re a vector for all the hostility in the stands,” he said.
As a conduit for escape, there are no political prerequisites. Fandom isn’t barred from you based on your voting patterns. There may be an urge now, regardless of how you hoped (even as an observer, as I am) this election ended up, to burrow into basketball as escape, almost as a reflexive action. The distinct humanitarian fracturing at play not only in this election but on a global scale, this onus of “us vs.them”, or blame over solution (blame as solution), the narrowing of scope to only have your own interests at heart, is all a symptom of escapism. Just as it’s crucial as an engaged fan to not lose sight of an athlete’s personhood, the same goes, albeit on a decidedly more critical scale, in the wider world.
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
Must Read Over the years, the NBA has learned to embrace activism and social justice. Read more. (TIME)
Legacy Reflecting on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s impact — here’s how he changed the rules for Black athletes. (National Endowment for the Humanities)
Analysis How did Sterling Brown get the NBA to listen to its players? (The Daily Beast)
Analysis Josh Hart emerges as the unexpected X-factor for the Knicks, bringing a unique skill set to strengthen the team’s dynamic. (Sports Illustrated)
Preview Joel Embiid’s suspension delays his season debut against the Knicks, potentially affecting the 76ers’ strategy in the matchup. (Sports Illustrated)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Basketball Replacements For Jeremy Sochan & Aaron Gordon
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (8) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena.|Photo by Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
As we gear up for another action-packed Wednesday with 12 NBA games, it’s crucial to stay updated on player statuses and potential fantasy basketball moves. Injuries are shaking up lineups, and knowing who to add or drop can make all the difference in your fantasy league.
Key Injuries and Player Additions
Aaron Gordon’s calf strain is a significant blow, sidelining him for an estimated four weeks. This opens up opportunities for Peyton Watson, who is expected to see increased minutes, making him a valuable addition to your roster. Julian Strawther might also benefit, but Watson is the priority pick.
Jeremy Sochan’s thumb fracture is another long-term injury, likely keeping him out for six to eight weeks. In his absence, Julian Champagnie emerges as a strong candidate for increased playing time. While Keldon Johnson might be a points league preference, Champagnie is a solid choice across formats.
Nick Richards is dealing with fractured rib cartilage, sidelining him for at least two weeks. With Mark Williams also out, the Hornets will likely start Taj Gibson, but he’s not a recommended fantasy add. Instead, keep an eye on Grant Williams, who could be a viable option in deeper leagues.
Game Previews and Strategic Considerations
The Detroit Pistons face the Charlotte Hornets, with the Hornets slightly favoured. Jalen Duren’s recent performances have been promising, but his minutes might be capped, allowing Isaiah Stewart to continue his role as a backup centre. Stewart’s current role suits him well, and he’s performing admirably in it.
For the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller’s dynamics are worth monitoring. Ball’s interactions with Charles Lee and Miller’s reduced minutes and shooting are areas of concern. Miles Bridges’ performance has been underwhelming, but improvement is expected.
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!
