[ad_1]
Five observations from the Knicks’ 112-107 road victory Wednesday over the Hawks at newly named State Farm Arena (formerly Philips Arena).
1. It took ex-Knicks PG Derrick Rose 11 seasons to find his three-point shot. He made a career-high seven Wednesday on nine attempts in Minnesota’s loss to the Lakers. Former Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek pleaded with Rose to launch more during that 2016-17 campaign and Rose refused. So there’s hope for 22-year-old Emmanuel Mudiay, who has been horrendous from three-point land as a Knick. The burly 6-foot-5 point guard, who has been in the rotation the past four games, was 3 for 3, including two huge ones during the Knicks’ crucial 20-6 third-quarter run that won the game. Mudiay is earning his stripes to the detriment of Trey “DNP” Burke’s playing time.
“We haven’t seen the results of it, but he’s really putting a lot of work into that shot,” Fizdale said. “When his three is going, it’s a big plus for us.”
Mudiay still is sometimes sloppy with the ball but there’s a lot of defensive potential and coast-to-coast grace on offense for which Fizdale is falling hard. Fizdale — like Phil Jackson — likes his point guards big and burly.
2. Rookie lottery pick Kevin Knox looked tentative and out of sorts Wednesday in his second game back from injury. He was 0 for 6 from the field — 0 for 3 on threes — and was a minus-14 in just nine minutes, leading Fizdale to yank him.
“The kid hasn’t had a full practice,” Fizdale said, referring to a lack of a 5-on-5 scrimmage. “That was my big thing. I still want him to practice. The doctors cleared him to play so this is his practice right now. I like his shots — all down and in. It’s all a matter of time until clicks for him.”
Uncharacteristically, the Knicks scheduled a practice Thursday despite having two days off between games and traveling back late from Atlanta. It might have been with Knox in mind. Knox, who missed 16 days with an ankle sprain, is now shooting 4 of 23 in two games vs. the Hawks. He’s at 30.8 percent overall. That undrafted Allonzo Trier is their most impressive rookie shows again why the draft is a crap shoot.
3. The tale of two lottery picks continue their divergent path. Noah Vonleh, selected ninth in 2014, is making the most of his promotion to starting power forward. He drilled his first four shots in the first quarter — two of them from three. Vonleh finished with 11 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in 38 minutes. Meanwhile, Mario Hezonja, the Knicks’ grand mid-level exception signing, is fading. The Croatian forward missed a potential game-winning putback Monday vs. Chicago and it looked like it has damaged his confidence. The fifth pick in the 2015 draft was a nothing vs. the Hawks (0 for 2, 1 point, minus-13 in 11 minutes). Hezonja, who is shooting 38.5 percent, will face his former club, Orlando, Sunday.
4. Fizdale is doing whatever he can to stroke the ego of former starting center Enes Kanter, who felt disrespected by getting demoted for a rookie project in Mitchell Robinson. Kanter still is a double-double machine (17 and 11) off the bench. However, Fizdale gave him extra credit for his help defense on Atlanta’s Trae Young, indicating he was just as valuable as Frank Ntilikina. The Frenchman also acknowledged “special credit” to the Knicks center. Fizdale said Kanter has really “taken it to heart” about becoming a better pick-and-roll defender. He’ll never be a shotblocker. Kanter also made it out alive after he somersaulted as he tugged for the ball with equally powerful Miles Plumlee.
“I’m OK right now. I’m trying to get used to my next WWE career,” Kanter joked. “I’m fine. I watch a lot of wrestling so I know how to duck and I know to save my neck.”
Kanter’s spirits are rising. The Turkish big man even requested a hug from a reporter in the locker room after the game.
5. The Suns have the best rookie trio in the NBA in Deandre Ayton, emerging Mikal Bridges, who is playing phenomenally now, and Frenchman Elike Okobo. After that, the Knicks and Hawks may have — pound for pound — the best rookie power trio. The Hawks boast Trae Young, Josh Huerter and Villanova big man Omari Spellman, who looked terrific vs. the Knicks in scoring 18 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks. (Huerter was out with an injury). Edge to Atlanta now until Knox gets it going.
Source link
