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.
Knicks’ Struggles Against Dallas: A Night of Missed Opportunities
Nov 27, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron/Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The New York Knicks faced a challenging night against the Dallas Mavericks, resulting in a 129-114 defeat. Despite the absence of key players like Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford, Dallas showcased an impressive performance, leaving the Knicks struggling to find their rhythm. As a Knicks fan, it’s tough to witness such a game, but there are key takeaways worth discussing.
A Tough Night for Shooting
The Knicks’ shooting woes were evident from the start. Josh Hart and OG Anunoby had a particularly rough night, with Anunoby slipping multiple times on the court, raising concerns about his footwear. Despite a career-high game previously, Anunoby’s performance was far from his best, going 3 for 15 from the field. Hart managed to rebound in the second half, but the damage was done early on. The Knicks’ reliance on three-point shooting was evident, but with a dismal 24% from beyond the arc, it was a night to forget.
Defensive Challenges and Missed Opportunities
Defensively, the Knicks struggled to contain the Mavericks’ ball movement and physicality. The absence of Doncic seemed to benefit Dallas, allowing them to play a more democratic offense that the Knicks found hard to counter. The Knicks’ defense, known for its one-on-one prowess, faltered against Dallas’ team-oriented approach. The refereeing also played a role, with early calls setting a tone that seemed to favor the home team. Despite eventually evening out, the initial imbalance left a mark on the game’s flow.
Jalen Brunson was a bright spot, showcasing his ability to adapt and lead the offense. Despite the team’s struggles, Brunson managed to score 37 points, demonstrating his capability to carry the team when needed. However, the lack of support from other key players like Anunoby and Hart made it difficult for the Knicks to mount a comeback.
Looking Ahead
The Knicks need to address their approach against switch-heavy defenses. The game highlighted the importance of finding better strategies to exploit mismatches and maintain offensive continuity. The team’s reliance on Brunson’s individual brilliance is not sustainable in the long run. Integrating players like Karl-Anthony Towns more effectively into the offense could provide the necessary spark to overcome such challenges.
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.
Giving thanks for a better-than-expected rookie class
Happy Thanksgiving! To give you something to talk about with your undoubtedly NBA-fluent families and friends, here are some rookie rankings to chew over.
1. Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
Over his last ten games, McCain has averaged 23 points per game (top 25 in the league in that span) on solid efficiency, including 39% from deep on crazy volume. Philly hasn’t had much to cheer about this season, but McCain’s surprising on-ball creation and superb off-ball movement have Philly fans seeing a future star (wait, maybe that’s just their court). I’m obsessed with this little moonwalk he uses to shake OG Anunoby juuuust enough to bury a shuriken in his eye:
McCain moonwalks into a three over OG Anunoby
McCain likely won’t score like this when the team’s fully healthy (and he’s cooled off the last two games), but the fact that he can is a great sign for the team’s present and future.
2. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Castle has risen to second place thanks to an excellent recent stretch. Since becoming a starter, Castle’s averaged 15 points, three boards, and five assists while playing ferocious defense.
Castle is incredibly versatile. At nearly 6’6” pre-shoes and pre-hair, he has the size and speed to fill any number of roles. As I wrote about at length here, he’s quickly becoming the perfect amorphous fit next to Victor Wembanyama.
Although his three-point accuracy is still developing, Castle’s confidence in his shot is the skeleton key that unlocks the rest of his offensive game. And the more effective he is on offense, the more opportunity he’s given to create absolute havoc on defense.
I’m particularly intrigued by his ability to be a faux-big man in the screen and roll:
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
Milestone 10,000. Thank you for being one of the first 10,000 readers across our Locked On newsletters. And, we’d be extra thankful if you forwarded this newsletter to a friend to help us reach more fans who cannot get enough of their favorite team.
Fans After years of disappointment, Knicks fans finally have reasons to be thankful. The team’s recent success has revitalized hope and excitement among its dedicated supporters. (New York Post)
Biz Knicks’ guard Matt Ryan plans to invest his NBA Cup cash prize into his hedge fund, highlighting a unique approach to financial management among athletes. (New York Post)
Honor OG Anunoby has ascended to an All-Star level after a career-high 40-point game in the Knicks’ win over the Nuggets. (CBS Sports)
Must Read LaMelo’s proclivity for fouls, how many wins Philadelphia needs for the play-in, examining OKC’s defense, and more. (ESPN+)
Feel Good The Pistons’ willingness to spend, the Nets’ and Lakers’ new coach, and more things for each NBA team to be thankful for. (CBS Sports)
Analysis A roundtable of experts discusses the league’s biggest storylines after the first month of the season. (Fansided)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
In case you missed it...
Nov 26, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward/center Lauri Markkanen (23) on the floor after a collision with San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images | Christopher Creveling/Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Another Lauri Markkanen Injury For Fantasy Basketball Managers To Digest | Lauri Markkanen’s recent knee injury could sideline him for at least a week, impacting fantasy basketball strategies. This opens opportunities for players like John Collins, Keyonte George, and Brice Sensabaugh to increase their roles and fantasy value.
Ja Morant Is Set To Return And Impact Fantasy Basketball Leagues | Monday’s NBA action saw significant fantasy basketball impacts, with Gary Harris and Jalen Suggs suffering hamstring injuries, potentially increasing roles for Cole Anthony and Anthony Black.
OG Anunoby’s Rise And Mikal Bridges Fall: A Tale Of Two Knicks Wings Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe talk you through the NEW *clears throat* WIN OF THE SEASON!!! They discuss OG Anunoby’s career night, the best passing game of Jalen Brunson’s career, Karl-Anthony Towns owning his matchup with Nikola Jokic and another tough night for Mikal Bridges.
OG Anunoby Drops 40 And The Knicks Decimate The Denver Nuggets The New York Knicks delivered a performance for the ages, dominating the Denver Nuggets in a game that showcased their potential on both ends of the court. This victory was marked by a franchise-record 45 assists, highlighting the team’s improved ball movement and chemistry. The Knicks’ defense was equally impressive, holding the Nuggets to 118 points and demonstrating a significant leap in their defensive efforts.
Heads or Thibs: Making the Case For (And Against!) The Rookies Getting More Playing Time Alex and Gavin play a new game: Heads or Thibs! At the flip of a coin, one of Alex or Gavin is forced to become Tom Thibodeau, and explain why Pacome Dadiet, Ariel Hukporti, and Jericho Sims shouldn’t be getting minutes, while the other makes a case for their rookie to get more minutes.
