Welcome to the first-ever KFTV Stock Exchange! Here, I will recap the player performances for the New York Knicks and identify their trends.
Young players in today’s NBA market are quite volatile. Like cryptocurrencies, they can be sky-high one day and crash back down to reality the next. In this environment, it’s best not to be swept up by emotion and to remain focused on long-term trends. So read on for advice on wisely investing your time, energy, and money in the current NBA season.
RJ Barrett
Savvy investors see this as a great time to buy stock in RJ’s game. Every year of his career, he typically takes a month or two to get warmed up. In December 2020, he shot a paltry 12.5 percent from three and then a below-average 35 percent from three in January 2021. “RJ can’t shoot!” the people cried; reactive, yet not entirely unreasonable. Yet for the rest of the season, RJ averaged nearly 50 percent from three.
In the 2021-22 season, throughout November, December, and January, he averaged 15.8 points per game on 41.7 percent from the field. Then in February, March, and April, he averaged 24.9 points per game on 42.2 percent from the field. Efficiency and timing aren’t Barrett’s proficiencies, but the improved level of play quieted his doubters.
The 2020-21 “Mickey Mouse” season followed a similar, less drastic pattern if you consider the altered schedule. From December to February, he scored 16.1 points per game on 40.2 percent from the field. Then from March to May, he scored 18.4 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting.
RJ’s problem isn’t short-term shot consistency. His inability to shoot consistently for the long haul of a season is his issue. Whole months of poor play can ruin a season, yet the bounce-back is typically strong.
In year four, RJ is once again coming out of the gates like a limp horse, and his rim finishing and jumper are the main culprits. Due to his strength and shiftiness, RJ can finish tough layups. But to the confusion of many, it is the less-contested layups he tends to whiff. His three-pointer is almost nonexistent at 27.4 percent, and thus opponents understand that he will attack the basket with reckless abandon. A similar bearish omen is that of his porous and effortless defense.
Yet owing to his history, I expect RJ to bounce back. Despite his hard-nosed forays into the paint, the refs have kept their whistles silent. He will find his groove once the refs start doing their jobs, though his efficiency may not improve much. Whether he will find his groove in time to maximize value is unknown.
The skepticism of RJ’s long-term status as an all-star or near all-star is warranted. It can’t be denied that he has struggled mightily. Though his starts are nearly the same, comparing this year to last, a sparkling new contract and a more prominent role on the team have increased the scrutiny about his play. The notoriously fickle paper hands are calling for his crash, but I am confident they will jump back on the bandwagon sooner rather than later.
KFTV Stock Status: Buy at Moderate Risk and High Reward
Cam Reddish
Advocates for Cam Reddish should remain cautious, yet optimistic. Cam’s value mooned after the season opener against the Grizzlies due to his dominant performance and clutch shooting.
One positive trend is Cam’s effort level. Despite his relaxed demeanor, he has been energetic, if overzealous. I expect this level of play to continue and for a magnificent performance to crop up occasionally. Likewise, his defense has been unexpectedly stout, and he has earned Tom Thibodeau’s trust to guard star players.
He sometimes struggles to establish a rhythm coming off the bench or playing behind three ball-dominant players, yet he still manages to be a reliable scorer and defender.
I was previously skeptical of Cam’s value since his potential only showed in brief flashes. Thankfully, besides a few duds, he has remained consistent with solid averages of 9.4 points per game on .458/.315/.903 shooting splits. Plus, he is seemingly one of the few people who doesn’t play matador defense.
Cam’s ascension is also thanks to Tom Thibodeau’s unexpected increase in malleability regarding the starting line-ups. Whereas it first appeared that we would see an entire season of Evan Fournier at shooting guard, it didn’t take long for Cam to take the position. Now he oscillates between this position and the seventh man.
Regardless of when Cam plays, he has been aggressive in securing a place in the rotation. All doubts about his lack of motor or urgency are quickly being dismissed. He also worked through an injury, which could have stifled his progress, as has happened in the past, yet he bounced back as if he missed no time at all.
Good tidings ahead for the Cam Hive!
KFTV Stock Status: Rising Above Support Line
Obi Toppin
Sorry, Obi-hive. I see no reason to be optimistic about his break-out this season. This is a sad reality because this high-flying, floor-sprinting, and good-shooting ball player has great potential, but a certain head coach is putting a hard cap on his value.
However, to be fair to Tom Thibodeau, Obi Toppin has had rough stretches where the follies of youth have reared their ugly head. Likewise, Julius Randle (Obi’s rotational superior) has picked up his play to the point where Thibs is uncomfortable playing him less than 33.1 minutes a night. Despite this obstacle, Obi usually makes the most of every opportunity on the floor and rarely fails to provide a spark.
Lately, Tom Thibodeau has trusted Obi enough to put him in a small ball line-up with Julius Randle (team injuries did create this opportunity). If we see more of this line-up, and it remains positive, then perhaps Toppin can fulfill more of his potential. But we all know how much Thibodeau loves his centers.
Obi has the talent but not the opportunity to flourish, leaving him like a penguin without fish to eat. Obi’s value is likely to stagnate pending great change. Many may feel like an investment in Obi Toppin is a “wasted pick.”
While that remark may seem like a stretch, likewise are the comparisons of Obi as a starter on a competitive playoff team. Unless he remains consistent from three, I don’t see him reaching some of the heights that some prospectors clamor about. Since starting the month hot, he cooled down considerably. I highly doubt he will have the highest three-point shooting percentage by the end of the year.
The conundrum of Obi’s place in the future of this team is undoubtedly a bind that the Front Office and the team are unlikely to emerge from without a few scratches.
KFTV Stock Status: Hard Capped
Julius Randle
Julius Randle investors have been rewarded for their faith and patience with a small spike in value. After a dismal season, his worth was on the floor. Few investors saw it fit to put stock in Randle, but with the addition of Jalen Brunson, a physical and mental load has been lifted from his shoulders. Randle has played effective bully-ball, shared the rock, and led his younger teammates.
His play is enough to convince us that his All-NBA season wasn’t a “fluke.” However, neither were his previous poor seasons. Frustratingly, he still lets it rip into a spinning turnover or a forced shot in between three defenders. Unfortunately, we can also count on him to make a few bone-headed, low-IQ plays which have become the personification of “we don’t NEED that!”
At the very least, Randle isn’t dragging the team down with him, which isn’t exactly the highest praise. As part of the Randle-Obi conundrum, should Randle up his game more, he can increase his trade value so that it wouldn’t cost a pick to offload the contract. Yet, if Julius were to do that, would it even be worth letting go of an all-star player? Can Obi truly fit that role in Randle’s absence? And who would back up Obi, then?
I doubt Julius Randle will completely revert to his Tasmanian Devil alter-ego. Thus investors can hold in tenuous peace, but perhaps it may be wise to consider selling during play-in time.
KFTV Stock Status: Spinning and Sometimes Winning
Jalen Brunson
What a revelation it is to have a star point guard—and I mean that. Jalen Brunson is a star. He is the rock to this team, a stabilizing force that keeps the offense from spilling its spaghetti in the fourth quarter. He is also seemingly the only consistent player. Through twenty-two games, he has only scored less than fifteen points three times. His shooting splits are .490/.319/.913, and he assists 3.9 times for every turnover.
Jalen is a certified bucket, and his mid-range game is lethal. He can also be quite clutch, despite a few late-game misses. Towards the end of November, he scored 30 or more in three straight games. Despite the team’s negative record, if Jalen can continue his level of play, the Knicks could potentially have their first All-Star point guard since Mark Jackson!
KFTV Stock Status: Ready For Takeoff
Evan Fournier
Evan Fournier, the 73-million-dollar man, crashed like Terra Luna (and it didn’t take long). Despite his apparent offensive talent, he doesn’t fit on the team, which is reflected by an inexplicable 2.7 points per game on .194/.200/.750 shooting splits in November of 2022. Fournier’s status as a below-average defensive player ensured that Thibodeau pulled him from the rotation as soon as it became apparent his offense was lacking. His signing was a complete whiff on behalf of the front office. Sorry to disappoint you, Fournier Hive. All three of you.
KFTV Stock Status: Sam Bankman-Fried
KFTV Inconsistent Assets: Immanuel Quickley, Derrick Rose, Quentin Grimes, Mitchell Robinson
Immanuel Quickley struggled to start the season, and ironically, it wasn’t until he was mentioned in trade rumors on November 12th that he found his offensive groove. Although Quickley’s offense is his main calling card, he has continued his strong rebounding and defense.
“Egoless” Derrick Rose likewise started the season slowly. Despite playing 13.7 minutes a game, he expressed confusion and dissatisfaction with his role. He is still a consistent scorer, but as the oldest player and poorest defender, it could be the case that he may have a new home by the end of the year.
While Quentin Grimes hasn’t missed a step (with regard to his play), he still lacks the most important ability—availability. However, if he can remain healthy, he will continue to be a player that provides solid defense, scoring, and even passing—a new wrinkle to his game.
Mitchell Robinson has shown himself to be invaluable as an interior defender. He continues to shoot a hyper-efficient 74 percent from the field, eating rebounds and slamming lobs. Like Grimes, however, his availability has limited him severely.
KFTV Stagnant Assets: Jericho Sims, Miles McBride, Isaiah Hartenstein
Jericho Sims and Miles McBride have shown solid play in their limited minutes. Sims has a higher upside, and his strong play encouraged Tom Thibodeau to expand to a three-man center rotation. This is also due to his rotational superior, Isaiah Hartenstein, playing somewhat ho-hum. Despite his lauded passing and shooting abilities, he is averaging 0.8 assists per game and has only made four shots further than sixteen feet from the basket.
As for McBride, despite hard-nosed defense, he doesn’t do much else, but that’s about all that needs to be done for this team.
Overall Team
This team is exactly where most people expected it to be—a mediocre team. They beat teams with lower records and ones with significant injuries yet struggle against better teams. A few ugly losses to Oklahoma, Brooklyn, and Atlanta put well-placed doubt as to their overall potential, and the quality of losses overall hasn’t been too bad (high praise, I know).
Considering the effort has been good (despite a few duds), and injuries have been few, perhaps they can gel as the season progresses. If not, expect significant changes. The temperature is rising on Tom Thibodeau’s seat, and if that domino falls and little changes, one of the veteran players, or even Leon Rose, could be next.
Right now, they are the most mid team in the NBA, stuck in limbo between the high draft lottery and playoff contention. Of course, they will strive for the latter, but the outlook for the franchise is quite bleak.
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the NBA season. And in case you missed it, check out the analysis and fan reactions from when the Knicks played the Clevland Cavaliers!
