The New York Knicks defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-98, and it was New York’s youth that carried them to the victory.
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The New York Knicks steamrolled the Portland Trail Blazers 128 to 98. The entire team embraced the extra pass, and it led to an incredibly efficient night for most players. Four players picked up more than five assists as the Knicks shot the lights out.
The Knicks dominated both sides of the ball, leading by double-digits at the half. The Blazers pushed their way to an eight-point deficit in the third quarter, but New York ran away with the game after. The Knicks had a strong performance against a weak opponent, but it continues a trend of quality play for New York.
The Knicks might not have time to reach a play-in game, but they’re closing the season strong. Regardless of this season’s outcome, the players are beginning to show us a future to look forward to. Let’s look at the players’ success up and down the line-up.
The rise of RJ Barrett continues with the Knicks’ starters
Alec Burks: 10 PTS (3/9 FG, 1/4 3PT, 3/3 FT), 2 AST, 6 REB, 1 STL in 27 mins
Alec Burks has been working to make up for a shooting slump lately. His struggles may have pushed him further down the pecking order, as Evan Fournier saw a lot more action in this game. Burks’ jumper isn’t falling, which makes it tougher to get separation off the dribble.
The good news for Burks is that he put together solid production elsewhere. He only had two dimes, but he was a willing passer. In addition, his rebounding has been a strength throughout the season. He’s just got to find the jumper to bring it all together.
The blowout gives Burks a bit of space to work through the struggles. Everyone else scored well and took the ball out of his hands. The lightened load might take away from his ability to find a rhythm. At least he’s covering with other facets of his game, though. Burks gets a 2 out of 5 for his shooting woes.
Evan Fournier: 14 PTS (5/10 FG, 4/9 3PT, 0/1 FT), 6 AST, 2 REB, 2 STL, 1 TO IN 28 mins
I felt like Evan Fournier scored more than the 14 points he finished with. Fournier seemed to kill the Blazers’ momentum every time they began a push. He knocked down threes and finished his performance with an acrobatic and-one finish. But my favorite part of Evan Fournier’s night was this assist to RJ Barrett.
Fournier’s night might have felt so productive because he delivered some dimes. First, the French wing frequently took the baseline and found Mitch across the lane. Next, he expanded the playmaking to some swing passes for shooters. Then came that beauty of a fastball across the court.
Fournier has quietly closed in on John Starks’ record for three-pointers in a single season. He’s shooting 42% from three since New Year and tonight was another example of his sharpshooting. But it’s his playmaking that added an extra edge to this performance. Fournier picks up a 3.5 out of 5 for his quality play.
RJ Barrett: 31 PTS (10/20 FG, 5/11 3PT, 6/7 FT), 5 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 40 mins
I think RJ Barrett has turned the corner, and it wasn’t the scoring that convinced me. But that doesn’t his scoring wasn’t phenomenal. He missed his first pair of three-point attempts but stayed aggressive until they fell. Once his shots started to fall, the Blazers were forced to respect his jumper, which then opened up his near-elite ability to get to the rim. He was almost perfect from the free-throw line as well. The combined package led to Barrett’s ninth game with thirty points or more.
Barrett did a bit of everything. He found Mitch across the line, Obi in transition, and he also made clever kick-outs. He also embraced a defensive match-up with Josh Hart, leading to steals and blocks along the way.
But none of that made me believe that RJ Barrett’s leap is complete. At the start of the second quarter, Barrett pulled a young second-unit in for some words. He seemed to be encouraging the young players, two rookies and two sophomores. The 21-year old was the most experienced player on the floor, and they fed off his poise. Thanks to showing leadership and taking over, Barrett picks up a 5 out of 5.
Julius Randle: 20 PTS (5/18 FG, 0/5 3PT, 10/12 FT), 7 AST, 9 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO in 34 mins
It would be easy to hone in Julius Randle’s poor shooting and pile on him. He never looked comfortable with his jumper. That led to some hesitance after a number of misses, but I liked the adjustments that he made. Randle started driving and posting up near the rim. That aggressive approach got him to the free-throw line frequently enough to still pour in 20 points and baptize Drew Eubanks.
Randle’s shooting woes never took away from his efforts everywhere else. He led New York in rebounds and assists. With the ball swinging around the court, Randle was one of many to add hockey assists as well. Outside of a few lapses that I’d chalk up to fatigue late in quarters, his energy was impressive.
Julius had a genuinely nice performance despite the poor shooting. Randle was a force in the lane as soon as he adjusted. Despite biting on a pump fake, even his defensive effort stood out with a well-timed block. His demeanor feels completely different, and he has been trending in the right direction since the West Coast trip that began in February. Nevertheless, Randle picks up a 3.5 out of 5 despite shooting woes.
Mitchell Robinson: 7 PTS (3/3 FG, 1/2 FT), 6 REB, 5 BLK, 2 TO in 24 mins
Mitchell Robinson’s first block was a beauty. He recovered across the lane and blocked a big man near the rim. It was the first of many, as he protected the rim with reckless abandon. The Blazers didn’t have anyone with enough size to get shots over him.
They couldn’t keep him out of the paint either. His numbers are modest, but his impact was noticeable. The Knicks shot too well for Robinson’s offensive rebounding to show, but he had a hand on most loose balls around the rim. RJ and Fournier found Mitch for dunks, but the Blazers’ interior defense also meant most ball-handlers kept the ball on drives inside.
It’s important to note that Robinson only played 24 minutes. His numbers are modest, but the production is pretty impressive for the short time he played. The Knicks were dominant enough that he didn’t have to play as much, but he dominated the paint while he was in. Mitch grabs a 3 out of 5 for being a force in fewer minutes than usual.
IQ leads an incredibly efficient night the New York’s second unit
Immanuel Quickley: 18 PTS (4/5 FG, 3/3 3PT, 7/8 FT), 6 AST, 5 REB, 1 STL, 2 TO in 25 mins
Immanuel Quickley produced 18 points on just five shot attempts. That results from consistently drawing fouls and perfect shooting at long range. His game is always more dangerous when defenders have to chase him outside of the arc. IQ got past defenders or drew whistles off their contact nearly every time he attacked.
When Quickley beat his man off the dribble, he consistently beat the rotation with passing. We’re spoiled with how often IQ connects on alley-oops to Obi. His scoring gravity meant chemistry to everyone else as well. Give Quickley a decent screen, and he creates points either by shooting, drawing fouls, or playmaking.
Maybe this is just a hot streak, but I think Immanuel Quickley has taken a leap of his own. IQ’s poise is at an all-time high. He’s finally balancing his creation and offense by letting his playmaking piggyback off his scoring. If Quickley joins RJ Barrett in taking a step up, then the Knicks’ future has gotten much brighter. The sophomore snags a 4 out of 5 for his insane efficiency.
Miles McBride: 7 PTS (1/1 FG, 1/1 3PT, 4/4 FT), 3 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL in 20 mins
Miles McBride made his mark early by stealing the ball and drawing free throws. Then, he spent the rest of his night turning relatively few touches into an impressive amount of production. He knocked down his only three and went to the line again for seven points in one attempt. That puts the second-unit backcourt at 25 points on six shot attempts.
But with McBride, we look to defense first. Ironically, he got caught sleeping on a backdoor cut early. That minor slip-up kicked him into gear, though, as he challenged shots and harassed ball handlers all game. I swear McBride goes straight up to defend attempts inside better than Roy Hibbert ever did. He has incredible instincts, anticipating passes and positioning himself to challenge.
McBride got to handle the rock a bit late. That led to a couple of nice assists and a pull-up three when a defender went under the screen. He looks like he can play a more significant role in the offense, but how much bigger is yet to be seen. Most importantly, he’s undeniably contributing to the Knicks’ wins. McBride gets a 3 out of 5 for producing so much in a short time and touches.
Jericho Sims: 5 PTS (2/3 FG, 1/2 FT), 7 REB, 1 BLK, 2 TO in 24 mins
Jericho Sims played well enough for Mitchell Robinson to get some extra rest. Sims looked every bit as the overwhelming force inside that Mitch did. The only gap between the two was that the rookie challenged shooters at the rim, whereas Robinson blocked them. But Sims’ rim protection still felt effective.
The youngster was most impressive on the glass. Even the rebounds he didn’t grab seemed to turn into Knicks’ possessions by bouncing to teammates or off opponents. He played above the rest of the field. The Blazers couldn’t move the guy.
As impressive as Sims is, he still looks like a rookie sometimes. You can sometimes catch ball-handlers waving him over to different spots on the floor. He had a turnover off an inbounds play that would be brutal in a closer game. But those are just reminders that he’s far from a finished product despite all of the good he brings. Sims gets a 2.5 out of 5 for his interior presence.
Obi Toppin: 13 PTS (6/10 FG, 1/4 3PT), 2 AST, 3 REB in 14 mins
My most common complaint of the season continues with this game. Obi Toppin needed more minutes. He picked up a pair of baskets without needing a point guard, drove baseline for a reverse layup, and faked a hand-off to drive and dunk later. Obi then added some highlight-reel dunks and even took three-pointers with confidence until his fourth attempt finally fell.
The best moment for Obi may have been his alley-oop pass to Jericho Sims. It was a dime from one freak athlete to another. Toppin made some nice passes and grabbed a few rebounds along the way. I have no clue how Tom Thibodeau managed to keep Obi’s minutes below the 15-minute threshold.
Ryan Arcidiacono: 3 PTS (1/1 FG, 1/1 3PT), 1 REB in 4 mins
Ryan Arcidiacono got his compliment of garbage time minutes. He showed good energy and knocked down his only look. Everyone seemed happy for him, which is always a good sign.
Another successful night, but reminders that this is very much a Thibs team
Tom Thibodeau:
Nothing screams “Tom Thibodeau’s coaching” quite like Chauncey Billups bringing in his garbage time unit right after Thibodeau checks Julius Randle back into a blowout. Actually, RJ Barrett’s 40-minute night might come close. But those feel less egregious when the team seems so energized. RJ’s learning to lead, and Randle is getting back into a productive groove.
The more important note is that two second-round rookies played 20 minutes. IQ closed the game out, and Obi Toppin had a versatile offensive performance. We’re getting a few of the Thibodeau staples, but he’s also embracing the youth more and more. We’re seeing this level of play and reliance on youth, whether against Dallas, Brooklyn, or the Blazers.
It’s still challenging to grade a coach in a blowout for impact. There are rarely tough decisions or impact choices to be made. Thibodeau could have justifiably brought Evan Fournier back in or let Robinson do more damage. But he trusted his youngest guys, and I give him a world of credit for that. Thibodeau gets a 4 out of 5 for keeping everyone motivated.
Closing Thoughts
Take a long look at the Trail Blazers because you might be mad at the Knicks for winning, but that’s what a tank looks like. Portland’s trotting out lottery retreads like Kris Dunn, Ben Mclemore, and Justice Winslow just to remind everyone that not every high pick pays off. The craziest part is that Portland will be lucky to pick sixth in this draft as rough as their roster looks right now.
That’s my cautionary tale for those who can’t enjoy New York’s recent success. I get that chasing Jabari Smith or Jaden Ivey would be a dream come true, but it’s been a pipe dream since the Knicks broke 20 wins. More likely, forcing the team to lose these last few games is the difference between picking 11th and 10th. I’ve been a realist about the play-in game being unlikely, but there’s an equivalent reality check for tank commanders too.
The bright side is how much youth is shining during this period. RJ has genuinely taken command, IQ is on a tear, Mitch is dominant, Sims looks like another Mitch, and Deuce McBride does everything New Yorkers like to see. Of course, that’s without even mentioning how promising Quentin Grimes looked before his injury. This run is the future for the Knicks, not whichever college player we’re fawning over this week.
The Washington Wizards are next up on Friday. I’m looking forward to that game because it will be fun to watch. I’m not stressing over the playoffs or the lottery. I’m just enjoying THIS team playing THIS way and hope that you’ll join me. I’ll see you all there, Knicks fam!
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out Knicks Weekly, where Corey Tulaba from No Ceilings joins to give his draft takes.
