Early Season Must Win Games
These are three games that the Knicks must win. New York must beat up on weaker teams if there is any hope of making the playoffs. Following these next three contests, the Knicks have a run of seven games against teams that are simply better. The Brooklyn Nets are the weakest opponent in this stretch. A record of 3 – 8 is quite possible.
The Pistons and Magic are very young teams that with a great deal of room for improvement. Most of their starter have three years or less NBA experience. They will only get better, individually and as a team, as the season progresses. Unlike these teams, the Knicks are relatively injury free with only Quentin Grimes a game time decision. Thes games sholdend in the win column. However, even with Tom Thibodeau driving the players like a team of rented mules, the danger of over confidence is always a threat against the worst teams.
Detroit is a weak outside shooting team. Saddiq Bey looks to have worked on his 3 ball, and Isaiah Stewart is taking more 3s. Jaden Ivey comes into the league without a complementary J to go with his soar and score game. Troy Weaver has added Bojan Bogdanovic and Alec Burks to provide badly needed 3 pt. scoring. The Knick starters did not embarrass the Pistons in their preseason game.
The Piston bench will be slightly improved since the preseason Knicks game. Isaiah Livers returns, but Marvin BagleyIII is out and Alec Burks is a game time decision. Detroit may see a slight improvement in the score. However, RJ Barrett will add the scoring that Cam Reddish will fail to duplicate. The Knicks play the Pistons three times before the end of November. Expect New York to fatten up on these young turkeys.
The Magic are young and deep. Four of their better players will be out against the Knicks, including PGs, Jalen Suggs and Markel Fultz. Combo guard Cole Anthony will man the point. Gary Harris and the very talented but oft injured Jonathan Isaac will also miss the game. Paolo Banchero, this year’s #1 draft pick (23.3), Anthony (19.5) and Terrence Ross(17.7) lead the team in scoring. If and when Mo Bamba comes to life, the Magic will have that badly needed force in the middle. This team is a work in progress for Jamahl Mosley. We can judge how well he is succeeding on Feb 27th, and judge the Magic’s growth on March 23rd. Without Dumbledore and Gandolf in the lineup, Orlando is doomed.
The Hornets are another matter. They have a balanced mix of vets and youngsters. Charlotte starts two 31 year olds, Gordon Hayward and Mason Plumlee. Terry Rozier is 27. The rest of the team is young, led by LeMelo Ball. The Hornets fired HC James Borego after he improved the team’s wins by 10 or more games the last two years. GM Mitch Kupchak (MJ’s front man?) took full responsibility for the decision. He wasn’t happy that Bouknight and Thor didn’t receive more playing time after he drafted them. Whatever the case, Steve Clifford is now in charge. The return of Gordon Hayward will not make up for the lose of Miles Bridges.
The Knicks D will be tested in this one. Hayward and Rozier are capable scorers, and LeMelo Ball has had some great performances. After Ball, the PG position is very thin. Rozier would fill in if LeMelo were out. Mark Williams, 7′ 2”, was their top draft choice at #15. Nick Richards, 7’0”, has had the biggest impact at C. He has been coming off the bench, with Plumlee receiving more minutes. That may change against the Knicks and Mitch. New York’s defense and its bench will be the difference against Charlotte. Gordon Hayward is a perfect match up for RJ Barrett. Robinson should dominate inside and Derrick Rose, if needed, will take charge with the second unit.
On paper, these three games look like 3 wins. After too easy wins, the Hornets meeting could be a trap game.