During the first ten games of this season, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau kept the same starting lineup intact, a testament to his belief in the quintet and the group’s ability to avoid injury.
The Knicks are believed not to have had the same headlines during the first 10 games in at least 20 years.
The initial streak ended Monday in Charlotte, and it also looked like a good start to the game.
Reggie Bullock, who has been the Knicks rock of an early shooter, fell head over heels and was scratched. Thibodeau picked Austin Rivers to slip into the role of Bullock and the Hornets went 10-0 and 19-5.
When Thibodeau headed to Immanuel Quickley and Kevin Knox from the bench, the Knicks reunited, though they eventually suffered a 21-point defeat. Knox finished with 19 points, scoring 5 of 12 triples.
Bullock is expected to miss Wednesday’s game against the Nets. Could it be time for Knox to start moving small next to RJ Barrett, ice cream?
The Knicks have been brutal from the 3-point range (24 for 85, 28 percent) during their three-game losing streak.
With three-point shooter Alec Burks nursing an ankle sprain, Knox could be an elixir to help heal the fall of the outside shot that has helped the Knicks to 5-6.
Knox began much of his rookie season in 2018-19, but when Marcus Morris was signed as a free agent in July 2019, Knox returned to the bench and stayed there even after Morris left. changed last February.
Last season, Knox started just four of 56 games after starting 57 of 75 games as a rookie.
Knox is now getting 40% of his career from the 3-point range and averaging 7.9 points in 21 minutes.
Knox also has history with the other four starters who played in last season’s squad. (Mitchell Robinson is Knox’s best friend on the team).
Rivers has played well with the reserve crew and hadn’t started before. He may have been referring to himself when he said the team’s chemistry is off, even though most of the rotation are back players.
“Our chemistry isn’t there yet, we’re still building,” said Rivers, who missed the entire preseason and the first four games. “That’s why I say be patient because I know it will only get better every time. I haven’t had any training this season. The first time I played with the team was against the Raptors [on Dec. 31]. So I’m still figuring it out. “
It may be prudent to continue to discover it among the pine.
Taj Gibson, Thibodeau’s starting center and favorite last season, will be available to face the Nets after approving the COVID-19 protocols. Although sources say he is fit, it is unclear whether he will play without a team practice.
Gibson was signed last week to help depth the front field and reduce Julius Randle’s heavy minutes. Against the Hornets, an exhausted-looking Randle finally had his first game offside, scoring just 11 points and committing four business losses.
But one should not ignore his stats through eleven games. Randle joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to record at least 200 points, 115 rebounds and 70 assists in his team’s first 11 games.
Last season, the Knicks and Nets split the four games of the regular season.