The New York Knicks defeated the Nets 107-102 in Brooklyn making that back-to-back wins to kick off the pre-season. Â The game pretty much was up-and-down, back-and-forth all game and the Knicks ultimately came out with the victory. Â Real quick, regardless of the Knicks record this season, this young team is going to be fun to watch.
Enes Kanter fuels impressive New York Knicks win over cross-town rivals:
Enes Kanter led the Knicks charge after a below-average opener against the Wizards with 22 points and 20 rebounds. Â Another player helping to lead the team to victory was undrafted Allonzo Trier. Trier had a team high 25 points in 26 minutes.
Fizdale continued to play almost the entire team with minutes fluctuating for some players. Â For the most part, besdies Kanter and Trier, the team had a average to below-average game. Â Trier stole the show in the first half with 20 points and showcasing his ability to be a natural scorer. Â Trier was in a groove and you can just see it in his game.
Trier is making a case to earn one of the last roster spots after going undrafted in this past draft.  Coach Fizdale was quote after the game saying, “We’re giving our spots to the guys that earn them. Right now he’s earning it.† He most certainly deserves it.  Going undrafted definitely gave Trier a chip on his shoulder to come into the NBA and show teams that they will regret passing on him.  It’s only the pre-season, but I know that I have warmed up to Trier and Knick fans should be excited about his young player.
Kanter did his usual thing with a double-double in 27 minutes.  His 20 rebounds, 7 of them being offensive, definitely got his nipples hard as he was going hard in the paint.  Am I the only one that still can’t believe he said that during the press day?  Frank Ntilikina had a better showing from the first game. He was more aggressive and had a slam that got Knicks fans and twitter buzzing.  That’s the type of aggressive he needs to bring every night.
After all the good things Fizdale had to say about Emmanuel Mudiay this off-season has been swept under the rug this pre-season so far.  The guy is a below-average player that has not lived up to his full potential.  Fans thought that Fizdale might be able to pull out his potential and we’re getting the exact opposite.  In his 15 minutes on the floor, Mudiay was 1-5 from the floor with a +/- of -10, the second worst on the team that night.  Mudiay needs to start playing with a sense of urgency, because he should be playing for the final roster spot.
The Knicks did have a minor scare in the 4th quarter when Mitchell Robinson went down with a ankle injury.  After the game Coach Fizdale stated, “It’s a pretty decent sprain.† However, on the contrary, Robinson stated that he was good to return to the game.  Got to love his attitude and determination.  Robinson needs to know that the Knicks have to be careful with him and can’t have any nagging injuries to their young players, especially this guy with a lot of promise.
Knicks continue their pre-season this coming Friday, hosting the New Orleans Pelicans at the Garden.