Shoot the Three Jules, Shoot It
If the Knicks weren’t 32 – 34 from the stripe, the Warriors contest would have been a rerun of the Nets game. The team shot 30 – 87 (34.5%), 9 – 34, (26.5%) and 32 – 34 (94.1%). This time, Andrew Wiggins took Jalen Brunson (2 – 13, 11 pts) out of the offense, leaving Julius Randle (7 – 15, 3 – 7, 20 pts), Jericho Sims (4 – 7, 10 pts) and Derrick Rose (3 – 7, 9pts) as the only efficient scorers against the Warriors. GSW also doubled the Knicks assists 32 to 16. The refs kept New York in the game.
Julius Randle is passing off too often when he is in position to put up a three. His 2 dimes and 4 TOs is an unwanted version of the old Randle. Jules should continue using his outside shot to set up the rest of his game. Julius must use slashing rather than spinning moves to the hoop. Lanes will only open up for him when he uses his three more often and then he attacks close outs.With Brunson and Barrett (6 – 19, 1 – 6) clanking away, Jules must step up and take more threes. He and Jalen are the ‘Big Two’ on offense. Randle can be a premiere offensive threat if he demands full attention from beyond the arc. Let’s hope that he is up to the responsibility.
The Knicks offense is still ISO dominant. This is true of Randle, Brunson and most of all, RJ Barrett. Thibs must face the fact that RJ is hurting the offense with his ISO game, high volume of FGAs and poor shooting %s. He played 40 min. against the Warriors while Grimes rode the pines.. Are we missing something here?
Derrick Rose played 14 min. New York is a better team with DRose on the floor. Trying to keep him sharp while minimizing wear and tear would make sense if the Knicks were in a position to make a deep run in the playoffs. They are not. To be fair, Derrick Rose should be traded to team that would play him, perhaps start him. The Chicago Bulls are in need of a starting PG. Yes, they are Eastern Conference rivals. But if and when the Knicks get their act together, Derrick Rose will not concern them. The scary part of a trade with Chicago would not be facing Derrick in a Bulls uniform, but the possibility Leon Rose, no relation, would trade draft picks and additional talent to get the unwanted Zach LaVine.
The Knick offense is in trouble when Jalen Rose is faced with a superior defender. New York needs an offense like the triangle that stress movement of body and ball. The Warriors did not light it up against the Knicks. Because of their ball movement and 32 assists, they made enough open threes to secure a 10 point victory. New York doesn’t have Jordan Poole and the ‘Splash Brothers’, but we do have players capable of hitting open threes. Now we need an offense that will get them open.