The Knicks will get three extra probabilities in April to be extra aggressive in opposition to the 2 groups above them within the Japanese Convention standings.
They’re winless in 5 tries in opposition to the Cavaliers and the Celtics this season following consecutive highway defeats over the weekend — and 0-7 if you add in two extra losses to the Thunder, the leaders within the West.
With a median margin of defeat of 20.1 factors in these video games, is it lifelike to anticipate that hole to be closed this season for a Knicks squad with aspirations of advancing deeper into the playoffs following two straight second-round eliminations?
“The first thing I would say is, we all have to be cognizant of the fact that those three teams are doing this to everybody,” longtime ESPN analyst Tim Legler instructed The Submit. “However the Knicks, with the expectation degree coming off of final season, then you definately make the commerce for [Karl-Anthony] Cities, that’s now the measuring stick.
“How do we stack up to the Celtics? How do we stack up to the Cavs? And even OKC? It clearly has not gone well for them, and for me, what it comes down to is offensively they can go toe-to-toe with those teams. But the difference is that those three teams have a level that they can go to defensively with their pressure and their team speed and just with their commitment to it that the Knicks just can’t match at that end of the floor.”
TNT analyst and former Knicks guard Greg Anthony additionally acknowledged the third-seeded Knicks should not on the extent of the league’s elite.
“I never thought of this as a championship-or-bust season for the Knicks, and I do think long term they’ve put themselves in a better position to compete for a title,” Anthony instructed The Submit. “If this season ends early, [Knicks president] Leon Rose and the entrance workplace are going to have to determine why and the opposite areas to handle.
“I think by watching these games in particular, they need to be better defensively, they need to improve their depth and they still need some more athleticism. That much is obvious.”
After watching the Knicks get torched Friday evening in Cleveland by 37 factors, Legler mentioned he anticipated Tom Thibodeau’s staff to point out “they had enough” and that “they would come out and draw a line in the sand” in opposition to the Celtics.
“And then they were down by 20 in the first quarter,” added Legler, who served as an analyst for Sunday’s recreation for ABC. “I do know they made it a recreation briefly within the second half, however what we’re seeing is that these three groups are so arduous to protect, and the Knicks are simply not an elite defensive staff.
“So if you throw a median defensive staff at any of these three groups after they’re enjoying with sharp focus — which I don’t know if Boston was doing earlier within the 12 months, however they positively are actually — you may get a few of these margins the place these buzzsaw video games happen and you may’t gradual it down.
“And then the question becomes, what do you do about it?” Legler continued. “Well, it’s difficult because I think a lot of it is personnel-based.”
Each analysts imagine the Knicks will probably be helped by the pending return of middle Mitchell Robinson from harm for the primary time since present process ankle surgical procedure final Could, though Legler harassed that “it’s not realistic” to anticipate the injury-prone 7-footer “to have a major impact right away.”
Nonetheless, Legler additionally famous that Cities “is totally being picked on” by opposing groups in ball-screen actions away from the basket.
“These teams in particular will just destroy you in that action. That’s all Boston runs,” Legler mentioned. “The distinction is that they have 5 guys who all can run it at a excessive degree and all of their guys can actually shoot.
“So they force the Knicks’ other defenders into rotation and just count on the fact that it’s going to be overwhelming for them. In these matchups, it has been.”
The Knicks (37-20) will face the reeling 76ers on the Backyard on Wednesday evening earlier than enjoying seven of their subsequent eight video games on the highway.
They’ll go to Cleveland yet one more time on April 2 and in addition will play each the Cavs and the Celtics at MSG later that month earlier than the playoffs start.
“Listen, there’s no question you’re ultimately going to be judged by how you fare against the best teams. And obviously to have success in the postseason, you’re gonna have to play them and beat them,” Anthony mentioned. “They haven’t fared properly in any respect, however having mentioned that, I feel they’re higher than they’ve proven to this point in these moments.
“I think from a defensive standpoint, they haven’t performed like Tom Thibodeau teams historically have. Obviously, from defensive and depth standpoints they still aren’t where they need to be. I really like their lineup at the top with [Jalen] Brunson and KAT at the offensive end, but they still have a lot of work to do to close the gap.”
Josh Hart was fined $2,000 by the NBA for flopping within the third quarter of Sunday’s recreation.
