The New York Knicks lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 112-97. But in this loss, Quentin Grimes shined the brightest.
Catch the full Knicks Fan TV Postgame show on all major podcast platforms below:
• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• Google Podcasts
• Stitcher
The New York Knicks lost from start to finish against the Milwaukee Bucks, but New York was without some of their key players. Alec Burks missed the game for personal reasons while RJ Barrett and Obi Toppin were out due to health and safety protocols. Regardless, this game was an uphill battle from the jump and the Knicks got into a deficit that they never recovered from. Throughout the game, Milwaukee flirted with a blowout win, but a pair of newcomers to the rotation injected some life into the game. Unfortunately, a lot of the usual issues were present in this loss (the lack of three-point defense, turnovers leading to fastbreak points, and inability to chase down offensive boards).
The Brightside to all of this is that Quentin Grimes shined in his first career start which should lead to a rotation role because of the value he adds. Kevin Knox also had a refreshing impact from the bench, and while Immanuel Quickley is still a work in progress as a point guard, he did flash a developing playmaking skill set. Yet this was still a tough loss in an equally tough season, but at least we got some glimpses at the potential talent in the pipeline. So let’s look at the performances and try to salvage some optimism from another double-digit loss.
Newcomers to the Knicks’ starters give life to the unit
Derrick Rose: 18 PTS (8/16 FG, 2/6 3PT), 7 AST, 2 REB, 3 STL, 2 TO in 37 mins
The addition of Derrick Rose to the starting line-up wasn’t enough to snap typical starters out of their struggles. Evan Fournier and Julius Randle were afforded plenty of good looks by the Knicks’ best point guard, but neither player shot well. Rose’s passing ability was best displayed by his frequent dimes to Quentin Grimes and later Kevin Knox, both of who were knocking down shots. The unfortunate thing is that Rose generated a lot of open looks that New York simply didn’t take advantage of. Hesitant shooters began passing up looks and forced Rose into some acrobatic late-shot-clock finishes which were a joy to watch.
Rose’s ability to improvise during a broken play was crucial in avoiding a total team collapse. The Knicks consistently played East to West until the shot clock forced someone to act. More often than not, the ball would find Rose with only a few seconds to make something out of nothing. His 18 points on 50 percent shooting is a testament to impressive forays inside when no one wanted to shoot.
This probably wasn’t the plan for anyone. Rose logged 37 minutes and couldn’t stave off a 15-point loss for New York. But as usual, he was among the Knicks’ best players and made a clear positive contribution. The offense runs best when Rose is at the helm, but his days of carrying a team have passed. He can make other players look better as long as they make their shots, but the starters aren’t doing that consistently right now. Rose gets a 3.5 out of 5 for a strong start.
Evan Fournier: 6 PTS (2/8 FG, 1/7 3PT, 1/1 FT), 3 AST, 2 REB, 1 STL in 27 mins
There was no steak to blame this time, Evan Fournier was just bad. He missed open looks and dissolved into pump fakes in space then dribbling into trouble. The limited rotation meant that Fournier played extra minutes that only exacerbated the situation (he had fewer points than 3-point attempts, let that sink in).
Fournier’s attrition was at least aided by a few assists. But his playmaking didn’t stand out in particular. He still had trouble getting much to work off the dribble and was more often resetting plays to the perimeter than creating imbalances for the next ball handler. Defensively, he was alright when he could hide away from Khris Middleton. Granted Grayson Allen gave him some fits, though.
I don’t want to keep kicking the man while he’s down. We all know that Fournier needs to play better than this. He shot poorly, was weak on defense, and didn’t do enough else to earn goodwill. The French wing is playing with no confidence right now and struggling to make a difference for a team that desperately needs help. Fournier gets a 1.5 out of 5 for the continuation of struggles.
Quentin Grimes: 27 PTS (9/17 FG, 7/13 3PT, 2/2 FT), 3 AST, 3 REB, 3 STL, 5 TO in 40 mins
There were lots of ups and very few downs to the debut start for rookie Quentin Grimes. The word of the day is “aggression” because Grimes treated every touch like it was the most important one of his career. That meant the rookie was flying around corners, working himself open off-ball, and shooting whenever he got an inch. He played with reckless abandon that caused some inevitable mistakes but also led to an efficient and productive performance overall.
The shooting success is obvious here. Grimes launched 13 attempts including a couple of heat-checks and made more than half. He let it fly even over closeouts and was unaffected as long as he had space to release the ball. But Grimes’ game went beyond just catching and firing. He frequently blew by closeouts and tried to create off the bounce for others or himself. He didn’t have much success driving but did pick up some pretty assists including a drop-off to Mitch for a dunk.
This wasn’t a flawless performance though. Grimes was overzealous to a fault at times, turning the ball over from passing without looking or driving into trouble. He also bit on fakes from defenders enough times for it to stand out (especially on an unfortunate blow-by from Grayson Allen). But the fact that the rookie could make numerous mistakes and still stand out as a positive defensive presence is impressive in its own right. Grimes gets a 4 out of 5 in his very first start.
Julius Randle: 8 PTS (2/9 FG, 1/5 3PT, 3/4 FT), 7 AST, 10 REB, 1 BLK, 7 TO in 35 mins
It looks to me like Julius Randle’s struggles have landed firmly in the mental territory now. He’s still struggling to figure out the various ways that teams will send a double-team. Randle doesn’t have the reliable jump shot that got him through last season and that makes him a predictable offensive player. He can operate out of the post or try to drive in face-up situations, but there’s not much else for the defense to worry about. Teams anticipate his approach and that means plenty of turnovers.
I’ll give Randle this much credit, I think his effort made frequent appearances worth mentioning. Randle began blitzing ball-handlers with a hard hedge when his man set the screen. That disrupted the opponent’s dribble and created steal opportunities for the Knicks defenders. The Knicks’ star also made a concerted effort to feed hot hands, even activating the two-man game with Grimes when the rookie was in a groove.
But there’s no sugar-coating another rough performance for Randle. He was an ineffective scorer and managed to compile 7 turnovers which ruins any joy we might get from his playmaking. The big man got his rebounds and had some nice moments on defense, but just as often would be late on a rotation or getting back because of his frustration with things on offense. Nothing about Randle’s night said “number one option” and the Knicks simply can’t win if he plays like this. Randle gets a 1 out of 5 for a particularly poor game.
Nerlens Noel: 0 PTS (0/2 FG), 1 AST, 7 REB, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 28 mins
While Nerlens Noel showed some improved movement, he’s still clearly not himself. Noel nearly clocked 30 minutes without a field goal or point. He started the game with some really nice moments in isolation defense against Giannis but faded defensively later. Even the shot blocker’s rim protection felt neutered as he was late to rotations or otherwise failing to get position under the boards.
I can’t be the only one that’s tired of seeing Noel on the floor so often. Usually, it’s a nice sign that a guy is laying everything out there, but Noel’s past two games have been brutal. The Bucks, like the Raptors before them, frequently got second and third chances by working the boards and getting superior position while Noel was picking himself off the ground. He fell while challenging shots, attempting to grab rebounds, and probably on his way to the bench too.
Of all the boxscore oddities, Nerlens Noel having the only positive plus/minus on the Knicks is probably the strangest. His game felt like it barely made a blip on any of the outcomes. Even his defense felt like a notch or several notches below what we’re used to expecting. The big man has had an injury-prone season and I still think he looks hampered by the aches and pains. Noel gets a 2 out of 5 for the forgettable outing.
Kevin Knox makes the most of an opportunity with the Knicks’ second unit
Immanuel Quickley: 11 PTS (4/10 FG, 1/6 3PT, 2/2 FT), 5 AST, 1 REB, 2 STL, 1 TO in 26 mins
Streaky shooting is the only thing that’s keeping Immanuel Quickley from truly having a breakout season. IQ did a lot of things right throughout his 26 minutes against the Bucks, but he bricked a number of open three-pointers that could have snatched some momentum away from Milwaukee. He’s shooting 19 percent from three over the last three games, making just 1 shot while attempting at least 5 each time out over that span. His three-point percentage on the season has dipped below 33 percent.
The good news is that Quickley’s point guard developments are beginning to show. He got into the lane and finished some floaters and a midrange shot to pick his efficiency up a bit. While the sophomore didn’t always make the best decision or the right read, he made smart passes more often than not. IQ still runs the point like he’s anticipating certain reactions from the defense and making decisions before they happen, but that’s commonplace for newcomers learning to run an offense.
Quickley’s production in 26 minutes was solid but not great. His overall play was a little better than that. If he’d cashed in on a couple of the open looks, his performance could leap from a decent game to one that leaps off the screen. IQ brings pace on the ball, elusive handling, and unpredictable decision-making (sometimes this bit backfires). He’s a fun player to watch develop, but still a project who would be further along if he could shoot consistently like he did last season. Quickley gets a 2.5 out of 5 for his night.
Kevin Knox: 18 PTS (6/15 FG, 5/12 3PT, 1/2 FT), 1 AST, 5 REB, 1 STL in 29 mins
The old adage of “always be ready” wasn’t lost on Kevin Knox. The young forward got his first significant minutes of the season and responded with a three-point barrage. If Quentin Grimes hadn’t stolen his thunder, Knox would probably be the talk of the game. He didn’t just hit open looks from catch-and-shoot opportunities, but at times he was dribbling through screens or stopping on a dime to make defenders pay. But he did continue a weird quirk where he seems to miss his most open looks.
Knox gave a much-needed punch to the bench. His offense predominantly came from shooting, but he contributed elsewhere through effort and hard work. That meant a couple of offensive boards, a steal, and a few additional rotations where Knox was clearly involved in the defense. That’s not to oversell it, he’s a flawed defender but he was trying and that can go a long way.
I’m still not sold on Knox as a consistent rotation piece, but his microwave shooting is valuable off the bench. When the team needs to a break zone or falls into a slump, Knox has the requisite shooting to change momentum. He and Grimes brought the game back from the brink of collapse with their bunches of threes. If players aren’t making their looks, then Knox should be on the shortlist to try and spark things. Knox gets a 2.5 out of 5 for giving New York some fight.
Mitchell Robinson: 9 PTS (4/5 FG, 1/2 FT), 8 REB in 18 mins
It was a tale of two halves for Mitchell Robinson. His first-half minutes were underwhelming to say the least, with some glaring moments where he either missed rotations or just didn’t bother trying. One particularly stood out when Evan Fournier was a step behind Khris Middleton but stayed on his hip and nobody bothered to rotate and close off the lane for a lay-up. Robinson’s rim protection lagged for pretty much the whole half.
But Robinson gave much better minutes after returning in the third. He challenged some shots and got to do some rim running that was actually rewarded. Mitch ended up finishing some points, grabbing some offensive boards, and drawing some fouls for additional extra possessions. The Bucks put bodies on him to limit his rebounding, but he was a force.
By the numbers, you couldn’t be blamed for wondering why Mitch only logged 18 minutes. He was more productive than Noel despite playing two-thirds the time. That’s because Mitch spent a lot of the first half struggling to get involved. His second stint picked things up and was a nice reminder that the big man can be a gamechanger on defense. He just has to sustain the effort for all of his time out there to help shift the narrative. Robinson gets a 2.5 out of 5 for his big second half.
Few options and no answers for Tom Thibodeau
Tom Thibodeau: It’s hard to blame Tom Thibodeau when his team drops two starters and its hottest bench piece right before a match-up with the defending champs. Thibodeau let a rookie start and play 40 minutes which seems blasphemous in the church of Thibs. We’re used to him benching young players prematurely, but he let Grimes play through mistakes and turn in a performance that gave the team and fans alike one reason to smile in an otherwise frustrating game. He did the same with Kevin Knox, rewarding good play with more time.
If there’s a reason to be critical of Thibodeau, it’s that he didn’t give young guys a chance sooner. Quentin Grimes was a breath of fresh air for the starters with his enthusiastic defense and quality shooting. The Knicks have needed better defense and consistent shooting all season long! Knox provided the same to the bench. We’ve seen so many lackluster outings, shy shooters, and stagnant players that the young guys turned this near-blowout into a watchable game…please give us more!
The big question for Thibodeau is what to do about his stars. The two highest-paid players on the Knicks shot 4/17 from the field for 14 points. He’s trimmed Fournier’s minutes before but seems focused on making Randle work even when Obi’s available off the bench. There’s a fine line between getting the most talented players activated and holding them accountable for poor play, which Thibodeau has struggled to balance. He gets 3 out of 5 for finally giving Grimes a look and letting Knox ride hot shooting.
Closing Thoughts
The offensive philosophy needs to change for this team ASAP. Julius Randle still needs to get attention and use his gravity, but he shouldn’t be the feature piece when he’s struggled all year. Teams are keyed in on Randle’s post-ups and aren’t afraid of his shot. The Knicks need to put the ball in a true ball handler’s hands which should hopefully reduce the turnovers just as much as it cuts into Randle’s usage. Start Derrick Rose, or put someone in that’s willing to play the point whether it’s IQ or an experiment with McBride. Burks isn’t the answer at point guard.
It’s also time to move Fournier to the bench. Let him find his confidence against back-ups and inject some defense and effort into the starting line-up…start Grimes! The rookie got his opportunity and showed more heart than any of the vets or go-to pieces not named Rose. Burks and IQ can attack off the bench with Fournier getting some chances too. The last move I’d look at is returning Taj Gibson to the rotation. Noel looks hurt, Mitch is up and down, while Gibson has better offensive sentiments than either of them (still limited, but better).
We’ll see if the continued struggles provoke any bigger changes. Golden State is up next, so the task only gets more daunting. Steph Curry could potentially be chasing history for three-points made and the Knicks probably look like a meal. Houston, Boston, and Detroit follow with tough but winnable match-ups. But New York has to show life and find success if they’re going to beat anybody. We’ll see if they can turn it around and if the youth keeps it up to force their way to more minutes after the next one. I’ll see you then Knicks fam!
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors, and recaps throughout the 2021-22 NBA season. In case you missed it, check out CP’s monologue on WFAN! Also, make sure to check out CP’s full appearance on WFAN on either YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.
