The New York Knicks are looking to avoid a 0-4 start to this 2019-20 season. Over the weekend, the Knicks dropped two games to divisional opponents, the Brooklyn Nets and Boston Celtics.
The Knicks battled back against their cross-town rival, Nets, but ultimately fell short. Even with the lose to the Nets, the Knicks play was still encouraging. They showed they can compete with good teams and be competitive.
However, the Celtics game was a different story. The Knicks got off to a hot start, leading 13-2, but returned to the old Knicks form and getting blown out. Kemba Walker took over like the he has in the past during his UConn days. Walker hitting three straight 3’s shifted the tides. The Knicks made it close in the second half but the Celtics were too much for the Knicks.
The biggest takeaway from the weekend was the Garden faithful booing Dennis Smith Jr. and chanting for Frank Ntilikina. Smith Jr. has been severely under-performing this season and New York fans will let you hear it. There was a lot of hype surrounding him this off-season with his ‘new, improved’ shot and wanting to be a leader.
The booing may have been a little much. Smith Jr. has not been 100% dealing with a back injury. However, this is New York and when there’s expectations surrounding a player and when you don’t live up to that, you’re going to hear it.
After those Smith Jr. boo’s, the “We want Frank!” chants rained down from the Garden. Ntilikina still didn’t sniff the floor despite the chants. Coach David Fizdale said, “He’s keeping Frank in his pocket” when is comes to playing minutes. We all know what that means, it’ll be tough for him to get minutes basically.
Tonight, the Knicks look to get in the win column hosting the Chicago Bulls. Despite the poor second-half showing against the Celtics, the Knicks have been competitive. Their record should at least be 1-2 but that isn’t the case.
The Knicks are basically being led by their 19-year-old rookie stud RJ Barrett who only continues to improve each game. The season is over not. This feels like a team that can go on a run once they get that first victory. Do the Knicks finally get a ‘W’tonight against a winnable opponent? If they want to, they can’t get down on themselves.