KnicksFanTV Mid-Season Roundtable!

The New York Knicks eclipsed the half way point of the 2020-21 NBA season. As we look forward to a grueling second half, the guys at KnicksFanTV decided to review what they’ve seen so far!

We’re back! Here at KnicksFanTV, we thought it would be fun to complete a six-question survey that addresses many of the major points of interest regarding the Knicks’ performance through 41 games while also looking to the future. Enjoy!

What were your three favorite moments of the Knicks’ first half? Why?

Remi:

1. Derrick Rose’s debut against Miami is one that stands out to me because of how much skepticism surrounded that decision. We’re so used to “same old Knicks” moments that the trade seemed like a perfect way to disrupt Immanuel Quickley’s development. Instead, Rose was a different player than we remembered, and the combination worked. It’s a great sign for the front office that they stuck with their guts and improved the team for such a low cost.
2. The three-game winning streak in February. It started on the 12th which happens to be my birthday and they won each game by double-digits. They capped that run by beating the Hawks which was especially fun because Immanuel Quickley drew “Trae young” style fouls on Trae young. It was the spider-man meme in action.
3. Julius Randle’s mother appearing for a surprise congratulations message. The genuine surprise and happiness in that moment was good vibes embodied. Randle being an All-Star is the most pleasant surprise of the season, so it was nice to see the Knicks reward him with a bit of appreciation there.

Dave:

1. Julius Randle’s 44-point game. Watching Randle drop 44 on the Hawks was my favorite moment so far. It was a great affirmation that Randle has really evolved into a special player.
2. Derrick Rose’s first game after being traded to New York. Rose’s first game back as a Knick after the trade was pretty exciting. They lost to the Heat, but he seamlessly fit into the second unit alongside Quickley and Obi Toppin.
3. Austin Rivers Jazz comeback on Jan 6. I know Rivers has been deep in coach Thibs’ doghouse ever since, but that 4th quarter where he lit up the Jazz for the W was insane.

Alex:

1. When Julius Randle led the Knicks to a victory over the Indiana Pacers. Just based on the history alone, the matchup and the intensity of the game were great. But then adding the fact that we witnessed two NBA All-Stars go at it, and Randle winning, was so satisfying.
2. When Randle dropped 44 points on the Atlanta Hawks. It’s become extremely annoying to watch Trey Young get all of these phantom foul calls. So the fact that Randle was able to shoulder the load and knock out the Hawks was great.
3. When RJ Barrett finally scored over 30 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was an achievement that was avoiding him like the plague. But thanks to the help of Randle, Barrett was able to achieve that goal. What made it more special is that Randle was aware of Barrett’s achievement and made sure that he got him the ball to get him his first 30+ point game.

Mike:

1. Randle drops a casual 44/9/5 on the Atlanta Hawks to solidify his All-Star campaign. In one of the most exciting games of the year, Julius Randle cemented himself as an NBA All-Star and possible Knicks’ building block by shooting the lights out against a pesky Hawks team led by Trae Young. In my eyes, this game signified the arrival of Julius as not only a possible All-Star but as a player who the Knicks could build around.
2. Knicks defeat the Indiana Pacers to go above .500 on the season. This was one of those games that held way more meaning than just a normal regular-season game. Randle bested Sabonis in the battle of the All-Stars while RJ contributed several big plays down the stretch for what felt like a very symbolic win. Fans were ridiculed for their excitement after this game but who cares, it was a bright moment for a fanbase who hasn’t had much to celebrate in recent years.
3. Rivers singlehandedly closed out the Utah Jazz in the 4th quarter to bring the Knicks to 5-3. This game put the Knicks on the map early in the season after Austin Rivers caught fire with an array of stepback threes. At that point in time, no one knew if the Knicks’ play was sustainable but it was just a feel-good moment. As time unfolded, beating the NBA’s best team record-wise is definitely a nice win to add to your resume.

Steven:

1. Quickley swimming on the floor after draining a three and drawing a four-point play. That was a moment where the typically humble/stoic rookie’s personality really burst out, and he was a microwave for several games after that moment.
2. Nerlens Noel’s massive putback dunk over John Collins. We were a bit antsy about facing the “loaded” Hawks team a second time, but that dunk put the emphasis on a big win.
3. Julius Randle’s mom surprising him with All-Star love on the Jumbotron. Maybe it’s a bit gushy, but seeing his emotion was a moment that should resonate with anyone who’s human. It just further solidified all that he’s accomplished for this team thus far.

Honorary Mention: Steph Curry looking miserable and defeated on the sidelines when we beat the Warriors to start off our (largely unsuccessful) West Coast road trip.

Knicks Superlatives So Far! Most Likely to Succeed, Ice in the Veins Award, Most Improved Player, Best Teammate, and Defensive Player of the Year!

Remi:

• Most Likely to Succeed: Tougher than it looks with all these hard workers, but RJ Barrett’s growth and mentality have me bullish about his upside.
• Ice in the Veins: Immanuel Quickley makes a lot of timely plays. His package of range, free throws, and floaters is made for clutch moments when the defense tightens up.
• Most Improved: Julius Randle went from the guy I wanted dealt, to a player I will fight strangers over in one offseason.
• Best Teammate: Theo Pinson deserves some love for his enthusiasm on a nightly basis.
• Defensive Player of the Year: it’s still Mitch for me. I’ll need him to come back and prove me right, but I just think everyone’s life looks easier while Mitch is patrolling.

Dave:

• Most Likely to Succeed: The Engine, Julius Randle. Randle does it all this year. It’s difficult for him to have an off-night.
• Ice in the Veins: IQ. Immanuel Quickley is cold from deep and not afraid of the big moment.
• Most Improved: Julius Randle. RJ would deserve this any other year, but Randle is on another level of improvement right now.
• Best Teammate: I would say Randle but three awards is too much. I’ll go RJ, who has been playing a great all-around game recently. He’s shooting efficiently and knows when he can impact the game in other areas.
• Defensive Player of the Year: This award so far goes to Nerlens Noel, who has stepped up and anchored the defense in Mitchell Robinson’s absence.

Alex:

• Most Likely to Succeed: Julius Randle is one of the main reasons for the Knickerbockers’ success. Based on the work ethic he put in this offseason to get better this season, the future is extremely bright for him.
• Ice in the Veins: Immanuel Quickley has no fear. I’m pretty sure if we did a cat-scan on his brain, we’d see that his fear receptors are nonexistent.
• Most Improved: RJ Barrett didn’t make the NBA All-Rookie selection because his advanced stats didn’t back up his play. On a nightly basis, fans who watch the game saw that he struggled last season, mainly because of the roster and coaching last season. But he has kicked it up another gear and is the Robin to Randle’s batman. You love to see it.
• Best Teammate: Theo Pinson. No question.
• Defensive Player of the Year: Mitchell Robinson took a major step forward this season. Even though he went down and Noel has played so well, you can notice the difference in defensive presence between Mitch and Noel.

Mike:

• Most Likely to Succeed: Having more than one candidate on this roster for once is nice, but if I had to choose one, I’d go with RJ Barrett. He has the mentality, work ethic, maturity, and resilience that will always allow him to improve and excel.
• Ice in my Veins: This award has to go to my Most Likely to Succeed runner-up, Immanuel Quickley. IQ is not scared of any moment or matchup, which is particularly impressive as a 21-year-old rookie. The best part is he is only gaining more experience and getting better.
• Most Improved: Since RJ already got one of my selections, Most Improved has to go to our ALL-STAR Julius Randle. He has completely transformed his game, specifically his playmaking and shooting, which has led to wins on the court. In fact, one could argue that Julius’ improvement is the most impactful development for the betterment of the Knicks’ future.
• Best Teammate: Since most people will likely say Theo Pinson (who definitely deserves it, lol), I’ll go with Kevin Knox. In the midst of a season where he was supposed to make a massive leap, Knox finds himself on the outside looking in. Despite this, Knox has continuously been one of the first guys up celebrating with his teammates, which shows how close this team truly is.
• Defensive Player of the Year: I would love to say Frank, but the sample size is just too small. With that being said, this award has to go to Nerlens Noel, who has done a fantastic job anchoring the Knicks’ defense in Mitchell Robinson’s absence. Though he frustrates fans with his oil hands, he has been a block machine on defense and deserves infinite praise for the way he stepped up in recent weeks.

Steven:

• Most Likely to Succeed: RJ Barrett. He has the potential, work ethic, and role to truly break out in the season’s second half. It should be a joy to watch his progress.
• Ice in the Veins Award: Immanuel Quickley. Not only because he did the “Ice in the Veins” celebration in-game, but because he plays ahead of his years. While he’s lost some efficiency and playing time overall, I love that Thibs let him try to take the last shot against Philly.
• Most Improved Player – I’ll go a different way here and declare that Reggie Bullock could earn that honor from here on out. Bullock was pretty underwhelming offensively in the season’s first half, but his jumper is still reliable and he’s always had Thibs’ adoration. He’s hit double figures in five of his last six games and the role will be there going forward.
• Best Teammate: I’m giving this to Julius Randle just because he obviously deserves an award and really is the engine of this team. King Jules is unbiased when distributing the rock to open shooters and cutters and leads the team in assists with 5.8 per game.
• Defensive Player of the Year: Recency bias would suggest this should be Nerlens Noel, but we can’t lose sight of what Mitchell Robinson brings to the table when healthy. Playing defense is just what he does – it’s his meal ticket in the NBA. Gold: Mitch, Silver: Noel, Bronze: Frankie Smokes.

Biggest surprise and biggest disappointment of the Knicks’ first half?

Remi:

• Biggest Surprise: That the Knicks have an elite defense in the NBA. I know that’s Thibs’ calling card, but the roster is similar enough to last year that he still looks like a miracle worker. It’s even more impressive now that Mitchell Robinson has been out a month with the defense holding strong anyway.
• Biggest Disappointment: Obi Toppin’s role and struggles. Toppin has struggled and looked lost at times, but at least some of that is because he isn’t playing the same role that worked in college. He’s playing the role of a face-up perimeter player instead of a rim runner with post-up ability. That’s setting him up for failure.

Dave:

• Biggest Surprise: Julius Randle emerging into an All-Star!! A close second was Immanuel Quickley’s success as a rookie, but Randle’s evolution this year is an amazing story.
• Biggest Disappointment: Obi Toppin’s slow start. Coach Thibodeau said he was as ready offensively as any rookie. We definitely haven’t seen that.

Alex:

• Biggest Surprise: The emergence of Immanuel Quickley in the preseason. Quickley was talking a big game before the season, but he put his money where his mouth is and has proven that he is a capable scorer in this league. He still needs to develop and become more consistent. But to know the Knicks were on the winning side of finding a steal in the late first round is amazing.
• Biggest Disappointment: Obi Toppin’s production as a rookie. We were sold that Toppin was NBA-ready and that his defense needed a lot of work. Well, his defense is okay, but he is not NBA-ready. However, Toppin’s lack of success is primarily because of: 1) the emergence of Randle; (2) he was utilized as the offensive focal point at Dayton University, and now he’s become a role player with limited playing time; (3) he is a big that is best used in transition, the post, and the pick and roll, yet New York has him spotting up from three thinking that he is a stretch big, which is not the case (yet?). I believe Toppin will be fine. He just needs time.

Mike:

• Biggest Surprise: While one could definitely single out a few individual players, the biggest surprise from the Knicks’ first half in my eyes is the overall consistency and competitiveness this team has displayed. Apart from a few rare no-shows, this team has shown the ability to compete against any opponent on any given night with their tenacity and defensive intensity. Despite the obvious flaws of this roster, they have endeared themselves to fans with their competitive fire.
• Biggest Disappointment: Sadly, this selection goes to a player who has been really struggling as of late, Mr. Obi Toppin. While it is too early to sell your real estate on Toppin Island, I know many fans have their real estate agent on speed dial. In Obi’s defense, Thibs has been using him simply as a ball mover on the perimeter and a spot-up shooter, which does not utilize his strengths at all. In fact, it is obvious that his role and usage have destroyed his confidence. Either way, Obi’s development thus far is one of the only blemishes on the Knicks’ season.

Steven:

• Biggest Surprise: The team’s 19-18 record with this “rudderless” roster, to quote a deleted Adrian Wojnarowski tweet. Between that and the way Julius completely transformed in the extended offseason, the Knicks have been a surprisingly fun team.
• Biggest Disappointment: It’s hard to be disappointed in an overachieving team, but there’s always room for improvement – as Coach Thibs would say. I’d say the way Thibs balances his first and second units has been disappointing at times. There are many stretches where he has kept an underperforming five out on the floor for far too long.

What do you predict the Knicks’ final record will be? Will they make the playoffs, the play-in or miss the playoffs all together? Why?

Remi: I think these guys will relish the chase and get us that .500 record. That’s a bolder prediction than it might look because the schedule is brutal for most of the second half. Then again, I suspect that New York will be trade deadline buyers. So I’m going 36-36 for a 7-8 seed and a play-in game. Thibs will have this team fighting, scratching, and pulling their way to enough wins. I expect help to be on the way, whether that’s Robinson getting healthy or a move for some added depth.

Dave: I think they end up around 34-38 to end the season. A tough stretch of games might knock them a few games below .500. I think they’ll finish off the season around the 8th seed and make the playoffs.

Alex: I believe the Knicks will finish the season with a 33-38 record. The record will be good enough to make the playoffs, somewhere between 7-10 ranks, which means they will have to play in the play-in game. Thibodeau, the coaching staff, and the players have accelerated the rebuild timeline, and they’re a good team. For as difficult as the second half has been, the Knicks have demonstrated that they enough fight in them to keep games close, which will transpire to wins (and even games they probably have no business in winning). Furthermore, the Knicks are top 6 in defensive rating, and that alone will carry them to success this season.

Mike: 36-36, which means the Knicks would have to 16-15 the rest of the way. Based on their performances against both the Nets and Sixers, I think this record is achievable. With the return of Mitch and Rose, as well as possible trades to upgrade the roster on the horizon, I expect the Knicks to make the play-in tournament and advance to the playoffs.

Steven: I believe the Knicks have the juice to finish above .500 despite dropping three of their first four games to open the second half. While every Knicks fan felt fear heading into our games with the Sixers and Nets, the results still felt promising from a long-term perspective. We never folded and played intelligently and kept the games very close. Let’s not forget that we’ve been missing Derrick Rose and Elfrid Payton. Say what you want, but they’re our two main PG options. Not to mention Mitchell Robinson whose been sidelined for what feels like months now. With those guys set to come back, I see us capable of finishing with a 37-35 record.

Which player do you expect to make the biggest leap throughout the second half of the season?

Remi: Obi Toppin, mainly because his minutes are starting to creep up. He’s looking comfortable for long spells, and that natural progression ought to work wonders.

Dave: RJ Barrett. I expect RJ to only continue to improve as the season progresses. Maybe he and Randle will be on the same All-Star team next year.

Alex: RJ Barrett looks like he is due to take another leap throughout the second half of the season. Through the last 10 games, Barrett’s shooting splits are .525/.531/.762 while averaging 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. I don’t believe that Barrett will sustain this production level throughout the remainder of the season. Still, this type of production is encouraging that Barrett will be consistent and that his shot is coming along. Furthermore, we see that Barrett is closing out games and being a focal point in helping the team win games in the late stretch. These are all signs that are pointing in the right direction.

Mike: RJ Barrett. With no major moves likely, RJ will have to be a consistent Robin to Julius’ Batman if the Knicks have any chance to navigate this tough schedule successfully. Based on his recent stretch of play, I am confident that Barrett is ready to attack this challenge. He’ll look to step up for the Knicks in a major way.

Steven: Easy answer: RJ Barrett. The 20-year-old wing is developing into a consistent all-around scoring threat. He’s flashing an improved touch in the mid-range and from beyond the arc. Barrett’s already up to 35.6% from deep this year, boosted by him shooting 53.8% from three in the past month. He’s also scored at least 15 points in eight straight games, which was a struggle for him earlier in the season. There are a few guys on this roster who can really take nice leaps in the second half, but RJ already has the role and reputation to truly capitalize.

Give two of your boldest predictions for New York’s second half!

Remi: I already mentioned it once, but I think the Knicks make a move big enough to lock-in a playoff berth. I know there are Drummond rumors floating, but I’m thinking we see an addition on the perimeter instead. So we can flip this prediction a little and say at least one of Payton and Bullock will be out of the starting unit by season’s end.

Number two, Obi Toppin will drop 20 and 10 on someone before the end of the season. We’ve barely scratched the surface with him and I know a lot of people that are down on the pick, but patience has been rewarded all year long. Let’s see how time helps Obi out.

Dave: The Knicks will beat the Lakers and Mavericks in both ESPN games in April.

Alex: Julius Randle will win Most Improved Player this season, and the Knicks will finally break the elusive playoff drought.

Mike: The New York Knicks will win MULTIPLE playoff games after making the postseason! Immanuel Quickley will have two more 30 point games before the season ends!

Steven: The first half presented a ton of surprises. There’s little doubt the second half will be a rollercoaster ride with so many tough opponents on the docket. Here are mine: The Knicks will finish above .500. As I mentioned above, I think this coaching staff has the wherewithal to pull out a few of the tougher games on the docket and make sure we win the games we’re supposed to. Once we get guys like Rose, Robinson and Payton back, we can get back to truly locking down the paint and having consistently better ball movement.

Mitchell Robinson will be traded. The Knicks have been tied to a ton of centers lately (and, quite frankly, for the past several years). It seems like his offensive limitations could make him replaceable in the eyes of the front office. I see them using him as a way to bring in someone with more star power. Drummond is not my dream, but where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.

If the season were to end today, the Knicks would finish as the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. However, with a brutal second half schedule looming, it would be an impressive feat for the squad to maintain their current position. Can these lovable Knicks continue to overachieve or will their Cinderella story come crashing back to earth? The answer is yet to be determined. Regardless, this easy to root for team has definitely earned their respect across the league halfway through the NBA season!

Stay tuned to knicksfantv.com for the latest Knicks news and rumors throughout the season and as the trade deadline approaches!