Adjustments The Knicks Must Make To Win Game 4

Author: Danny Gardner

Editor: Brian Symons

Game 3 was nothing short of a disaster for the Knicks. Their offense was anemic, their defense was lacking, and the 11-point margin on the final scoreboard didn’t even come close to depicting how badly they were outplayed. Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks were getting virtually whatever they wanted, and they let the Knicks know it too. It is no secret that the Hawks are far more talented than the Knicks, but that does not mean that there are no changes that can be made to give the Knicks a better shot in this series. Benching the atrocity that is Elfrid Payton was a good start, but there are some other things Thibs can do to put the Knicks in a position to win.

1. Make Trae Young work defensively

Trae Young has been a problem for the Knicks defense through the first three games of this series. They simply have no answer for him defensively. However, one way to hinder a terrific offensive player is to make them work defensively, and Trae is a particularly atrocious defender. Set more screens with Bullock to get Young switched on to Rose, Randle, and Barrett. Part of the problem with starting Bullock and playing him so much is that it allows for Young to hide defensively, so possibly exploring more of Burks or Quickley with the other starters could be an option worth exploring as well. Attacking quicker when the switches occur is key. The Knicks (and Randle in particular) are far too slow to attack offensively, and it allows for defenses to set up their traps and their double teams a lot easier. However they do it, forcing Young to work on the defensive end will go a long way toward helping the Knicks slow the Hawks’ star.

2. Use multiple ball handlers when Rose sits

I don’t love having Rose start simply because I love the dynamic of him and IQ coming of the bench together, but I recognize it is a necessity given how bad Payton has been in the starting lineup. The issue however, and this was clear last night, is the team now lacks a primary ball handler when Rose sits. The team tried a trio of Burks, IQ, and Reggie Bullock but that unit was a disaster offensively. When Rose sits, Quickley, Burks, and RJ should be on the court together. This way, you make up for a lack of a primary ball handler by using three secondary ones. Payton puts them in a tough spot, but the Knicks have to be creative in order to solve their point guard problem.

3. Get Randle and RJ going

This one is fairly simple, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett need to make their shots. Randle, who was an All-Star, the league’s Most Improved Player, and will soon likely be named to one of the All-NBA teams, is having an absolutely miserable series. After averaging 24.1 PPG on 46/41/81 percentages, he is scoring only 14.7 PPG while shooting 24/30/86. He has looked tentative, slow, and most concerning of all like he has lost all confidence. He needs to attack before the double comes and get to the line so he can hopefully rediscover his confidence. RJ looked solid in games 1 and 2 but was awful in game 3 and hasn’t shot the ball well overall. One way to get him going I think would be to allow him to initiate more of the offense when Rose and Randle are on the bench. He’s a capable passer in the pick and roll and can be strong finisher especially when attacking weaker defenders. Simply sticking him in the corner and hoping he hits shots is not a great way to get him going when his shot hasn’t been falling. I love his approach and his energy; he just needs to be more involved.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE

The Resurgence of the New York Knicks

Author: Patrick Sullivan

Editor: Brian Symons

The New York Knicks are currently 36-28 thus far in the 2020-2021 NBA season as their 9 game win streak came to an end against the Phoenix Suns. Although the Knicks lost to the Suns, they were in the lead for the first 35 minutes of the game and stayed close the entire time. Outside of some incredible shooting for the SUns and some help from the referees, the Knicks truly could have won this game. Regardless, the Knicks have proven yet again that they can hang around with the elite teams of the NBA and truly compete with any team.

Before this loss, the Knicks truly proved themselves to the league as not only a surprise this season, but a legitimate playoff team granted they remain in the playoff picture with 10 games remaining which seems very likely. Likewise, prior to the 9 game win streak, the Knicks were hovering around as a 500 team and no fan was truly sure if the Knicks were actually a good team. The 9 game win streak and the level of competition they are providing to the best teams in the NBA, prove that they are no doubt a good basketball team which no one has been able to say about the Knicks since 2013.

It's safe to say that this is finally the resurgence of the Knicks and fans have hope and excitement about the team for the first time in a long time. Coach Tom Thibodeau has the team playing together and great on both sides of the ball. IT truly shows how coaching can have a major impact on the performance of a team granted the Knicks have the lowest payroll in the NBA showing how they are doing more with less which is just a testament to Thibodeau’s great coaching. Furthermore, as most of the Knicks players are contributing, it is important to point out the great play of Julius Randle, RJ Barrett, and Derrick Rose as of late. They are truly leading the Knicks to the first playoff berth in 8 years. However, it wouldn't be right to not point out the great play that Immanuel QUickley, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel, and Reggie Bullock are bringing to the table as well. The play of all these guys and others is great to watch as a Knick fan and it’s making the Garden an electric place to be once again.

Looking ahead to the playoffs, the Knicks will most definitely need to keep up their level of defensive play to have a chance in a series with any playoff team and will also need to be more consistent on the offensive end as they have been during the 9 game win streak. To be completely honest and fair, it is hard to see the Knicks go deep into the playoffs considering they don;t have the stars that some playoff teams have, but its sports and anything can happen at any time. Nevertheless, the Knicks are back and the fans are ecstatic to see their team playing good basketball once again.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE

NBA Stars Are Gearing Up For the NBA Play-In

Author: Raul Martinez

Editor: Brian Symons

As the NBA season nears its conclusion, the playoffs are right around the corner. Though this year it's changed, with the short-season the NBA will have a play-in tournament. With a new playoff format, we need to know how it works and who will be in the tournament.

What exactly is the play-in tournament and how does it work?

The play-in tournament is a new form of competition to determine who is the seventh and eighth seed in each conference. As of right now, the seventh and eighth seed will battle it out to settle who is the seventh seed in the playoffs. As this is going on, the ninth and tenth seed still have a chance to make it in the tournament by playing each other. Whoever wins gets to play the loser from the seventh and eighth seed. These matchups will happen for both conferences to ultimately determine who makes the playoffs and who doesn't.

When is the play-in tournament?

The tournament will take place from May 18-21. After the play-in is over the playoffs will begin right away on May 22.

Who could be in the tournament?

At this point in the seasons, it's hard to tell who is going to be in the play-in. However based on the NBA standings right now we can expect a few teams to appear in the play-in.

Eastern Conference

As of right now both the seventh seed Heat and the sixth seed Celtics have the same record. Below Miami are the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers looking to stay where they are if not higher. The Wizards are looking to say something by stealing the ninth spot with the help of their dynamic duo, Bradley Beal and Russel Westbrook. Each team still has a chance to get into the play-in though it all depends on themselves.

Western Conference

The Western Conference has a much tighter race as the defending champions Lakers, are looking to avoid a play-in. After losing twice to the Mavericks, the Lakers gave other teams life to make it into the tournament. The tenth seed red hot Warriors led by Stephen Curry look to make a push, though need to depend on teams such as the Spurs and Grizzlies to lose. By May we should know more details about who is safe from the play-in and who looks to be in the play-in.

This new tournament adds excitement to the game showing that no one is safe. Just losing two games could put you in danger of losing your spot in the play-in. It should be an entertaining tournament to watch to see which teams are real or which teams are pretenders.

SPORTS ARE OUR UNIVERSE