I just had a Nostradamus week because I predicted exactly what would happen with the Knicks this week. I had a good feeling the Knicks would go 3-1 without Brunson. If you didn’t read last week’s blog, I predicted the Knicks wouldn’t need Brunson against Memphis, as they have the better team with all the injuries the Grizzlies have accumulated. It was way closer than I thought, but a win is a win. But my most accurate prediction last week was the game against the Magic. The Knicks needed Brunson that game. The Magic are a good team they could not go against with just Julius Randle, and it showed. Randle and the Knicks were abysmal down the stretch. Sixteen points in a quarter in today’s NBA is unfathomable. They were 6/20 shooting, and Randle looked terrible. That game got me worried about how dependent the Knicks are on Brunson. Without Brunson, the Knicks have serious problems. They don’t have a true third option who can become dependable if Brunson or Randle misses some time.
The Knicks have a lot on their plate as the trade deadline approaches, but a #3 option shouldn’t be their only priority because, in the game against Washington, another problem popped up again. The Knicks don’t have a threat on the bench. On the second game of the back-to-back, the Knicks bench logged 7 points and 42 minutes between 4 players. I like Grimes, and McBride has been so much better since he’s been getting more consistent minutes, but the Knicks need a reliable bench player because players like OG Anunoby shouldn’t have to log 86 minutes in two straight days.
They need a guy you can rely on off the bench, and a trade has to happen soon. I was all over the Knicks getting Brogdon, but my new wish is getting Bruce Brown. It’s been reported that the Knicks have shown interest in Brown. It would suck having to give more assets to the Raptors, but I’d like the Knicks to get a guy like Brown. He’s a player who can play multiple positions, and he also fits the Thibs mold as he’s a good defensive player. A good defensive wing who can score 12 PPG would boost the Knicks bench. I’m unsure how much they would have to give up for him.
The Knicks need to make a change because the offense has been stagnant the past few games. Their offense has been very average, but with all that said, since the Knicks got OG, their defense has been off-the-charts good. They have the best defensive efficiency in the league. OG’s defense has been extremely beneficial to the Knicks, and it shows in the +/- numbers. OG is +170 in the year of our lord 2024, and the combination of Brunson, OG, and Hartenstein have a +/- of +146. With Hartenstein’s and OG’s great defense paired with Brunson’s elite scoring, the Knicks are unstoppable. So yes, the Knicks do need an offensive boost. A new player or two could really change how far the Knicks can go in the playoffs, but as of now, the Knicks defense is carrying them to wins.
Weekly Grades:
Knicks: B
Jalen Brunson: A
Julius Randle: B
OG Anunoby: A
Isaiah Hartenstein: A
Donte DiVincenzo: B
Quinten Grimes: B-
Josh Hart: B+
Deuce McBride: B
Precious Achiuwa: D
Malachi Flynn: C
Now, let’s see what the Knicks have up next for the coming week.
The Knicks start off the week tonight as RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley play their first game as a Raptor against their former team. It will be an emotional night for me personally, as these are two of my favorite players. Hopefully, the great MSG crowd gives the two the applause they deserve. They should clap their heart out because this will be a terrible game for them. The Knicks should blow out this Raptors team. Scottie Barnes has never scared me as a threat, and with no Pascal Siakam, the Knicks will easily win. After that, they play their crosstown rivals in Brooklyn to play the Nets, on TNT. This should be another easy win for the Knicks, as the Nets have been on a terrible stretch this month. They had a strong performance against the Lakers on Friday night but are 2-6 in their last eight games. The last game of the week will be on Thursday as the Knicks take on the Nuggets at home. I am a huge Knicks fan and will give them a chance against any team in the NBA, but there is something about Jokic and the Nuggets that scares me. Funny enough, the Knicks did win both games of the season against the Nuggets last year, but I feel like Denver will come out of this game with the win. I hope I’m wrong, and the Knicks can once again take down Jokic. A successful week is winning two of these games. The Knicks need to continue building momentum and put everyone on notice that they are one of the best teams in the league.
Until next time, let’s go Knicks!
SmallDog Sports 
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