If I have learned anything from this Knicks team, it’s not to overreact, and they showcased why we should not do that after the second game of the season. The Knicks had one of the worst ways to start a season but bounced back after only one game. Thank god they did because this would have been a real depressing first blog back if the Knicks were not able to recover from game one. Hi, this is SmallDogDan, and I do a weekly blog recapping the Knicks week while also giving my predictions on how they will do the following week. Make sure to follow the blog and follow me on Twitter to see when I release the blog (which is every Saturday morning). So, with that said, let’s get into the blog.
So, as I wrote, the first game of the season was abysmal. The Knicks were out of the game from what seemed like the opening minutes of the game. The Celtics were doing everything correct Tuesday night and the Knicks could not keep up. It’s not like the Knicks were playing awful, it’s just the Celtics were hitting every single shot. The Knicks even had a better FG% than Boston by the end of the game, but the Celtics could not miss a three. Thank God the Celtics scrubs came in before the Celtics could break the all-time team 3-point record because that would have made the night even worse if Boston had broken the record.
It was a crappy game, but we move on. It’s not every night a team will make 29 threes, and the Knicks came out a lot better in game two. The Knicks had their home opener and got some revenge against the Indiana Pacers in a rematch from the playoffs last season. It was a complete team effort, as the Knicks had four players score 20 or more points (Brunson, KAT, Bridges, and Hart). But the sweetest part of the game was that New York held Tyrese Halliburton to 0 points. The Pacers had no answer to a healthy Knicks team as the Knicks start the season 1-1.
Now, sadly, I have to give my negative opinions here, and it’s an opinion I am very worried about. Outside of the Deuce McBride, the Knicks have zero bench players they can rely on. It’s only game two, so hopefully, the Knicks will address the problem when games start to become more important, but I am worried about it. Cam Payne and Jericho Sims being the first players to come off the bench is worrisome. I don’t want a season where Thibs relies on the starters and deuce all season long because that’s where injury problems will start to occur.
Another thing that I hope improves over time is Karl-Anthony Towns’ defense. I’m not the biggest X’s and O’s guy out there, but I can see Towns’ defense is not the best. But as a calm, cool, and collected guy, I’ll be patient with KAT. It’s only game two, and he will need time to get back in rhythm with Thibs’ system. Also, the defense will get better because of the guys around him. No more being Mr. Negative. Here was a pretty block KAT had against the Pacers.
Weekly Grades:
Jalen Brunson: A-
Karl-Anthony Towns: B+
OG Anunoby: C+
Mikal Bridges: B-
Josh Hart: B
Deuce McBride: A
Cam Payne: B-
Jericho Sims: C
Now, let’s see what the Knicks have up next for the coming week
The Knicks are off the next two nights as they play their second home game of the season against the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday night. The Cavs have started the season 2-0 as I’m writing this blog and have a chance to be 3-0 against an easy schedule. The Knicks will be their first real test of the season, and it should be a win for New York. After that, New York has four straight road games, which starts in Maimi, against the Heat. It’s so early in the season, and the Heat have only played one game, it’s hard to predict what type of team the Knicks are playing. Miami was awful in their season opener, as Butler and Bam combined for 12 points while shooting 2/13. If that’s the Heat the Knicks see next Wednesday night, it should be a cakewalk, but I’d assume the Heat play much better basketball than the ones we saw in their season opener. The last game the Knicks play next week is on the road against the Pistons. I don’t know much about how Detroit is this season, but I’d assume it would be an easy win for the Knicks. This seems like an easy week for the Knicks. They have a challenge against the Cavs, but realistically, they are a better team than all the opponents they play this week. The Knicks finish the week 2-1 at worst, but I fully expect them to sweep the week.
Until next time, let’s go Knicks!
SmallDog Sports 
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