Shorthanded Knicks Drop Two 2016-10-28T19:25:17-08:00

As health issues continue to mount for Derek Fisher’s New York Knicks, so too do tough defeats.

As the Knicks rung in the New Year with two losses to the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, they did so without the services of Carmelo Anthony through the weekend. The New York star sat both contests with knee soreness, and New York fell 97-81 to Detroit and 95-82 to Milwaukee, both at Madison Square Garden.

Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks

Coach Fish has been tasked with shuffling around his lineup as several star players, including Anthony, J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Amar’e Stoudemire, have been in and out of the lineup with injuries. The first-year coach commented on that process and on taking responsibility for his team’s struggles.

“I try to make sure I’m the right type of leader for these guys. Six of the 10 guys have barely played in the NBA before,’’ Fisher said of his musical chairs lineup. “We’re going through a lot right now. It’s my job to hold it down for them, even as they struggle. So if I have to take the brunt of what it is, then I’ll take it. That’s is my job. I just remind them that things always come around, and for those that remain diligent and focused on working hard, when it turns and the opportunity for success presents itself, you’re prepared for it.”

SHORTHANDED VS. PISTONS

When the Knicks trotted out to the halfcourt line at MSG Friday night against the Pistons, none of the five men in New York uniforms were in the Day 1 starting lineup, and Jose Calderon was the only player to have started more than six games this season.

Detroit Pistons v New York Knicks

The lone positive in the lineup for New York was Smith, normally the team’s sixth man, who was playing in just his second game after missing the previous 10.

The sharpshooter logged 36 minutes and tallied a team-high 22 points, knocking down five threes. However, with Smith surrounded by a cast of young players, many of which who were expected to play developmental roles off the bench, the Knicks struggled on their home floor. After the defeat, Fish didn’t point to just the absence of several stars, including Anthony and Stoudemire, but also to the team’s lack of execution all around as reasons for the result.

“There’s never one answer,” Derek explained. “For sure, not having some of your best guys who can help you on both ends of the floor has impacted it. But the things we can control, we haven’t been perfect in, and there probably isn’t a place where you can be perfect, but you have to continue to fight to try to get there.”

The rotation D-Fish pieced together hung tough in the first quarter. Behind a combined 13 points from J.R. Smith, Jason Smith and Shane Larkin, New York trailed just 24-20 after one.

In the second, however, the Knicks faltered defensively, and the Pistons made them pay. Detroit made 76.5 percent of its shots in the second quarter, hit five threes and amassed 33 points to take a 57-38 lead into the break.

The Knicks struggles continued in the third, where they just shot 20 percent. This helped to set up a huge 16-point quarter from Brandon Jennings and send Detroit to the final frame with an 82-52 lead.

After this, Detroit flipped on cruise control and, behind a 15-point flurry from J.R., the Knicks chipped away at the deficit with a 29-15 quarter. However, that effort was too little, too late for New York.

The Knicks shot just 35.2 percent in the loss, and afterward, Coach Fish talked about how, when the team stumbled offensively, it allowed it to carry over to the other end of the floor.

“It’s an epidemic that exists in the NBA. When things don’t go well offensively for guys, the defensive energy just isn’t there,” Fish explained. “The nine guys who ended up having to carry the load tonight, it’s tough to sustain the energy you need to play well on both ends of the floor. The effort was there, we just couldn’t sustain it. They had more energy than we did tonight.”

SUNDAY STRUGGLES

Sunday brought some more promise for Fish and the Knicks, who welcomed back one of their top young players, Tim Hardaway Jr. to the lineup.

However, even Hardaway, who is just in his second season, wasn’t expected to play a starter’s role this season. Despite that, he has stepped up in key moments throughout he season and came through with a game-high 17 points, alongside four assists, three rebounds and a steal.

Milwaukee Bucks v New York Knicks

D-Fish talked about the dynamic of helping young players grow into everyday starters in the NBA, and how this kind of experience will sow seeds for the future.

“We have a number of guys who have to learn how to play in this league—guys who we didn’t think would have to play the roles they’re playing for us right now,” Derek said. “For young players, it’s about helping to raise their situational awareness.”

Milwaukee Bucks v New York Knicks

After missing the previous game due to a concussion, Hardaway came out firing against Milwaukee, splashing a pair of threes for eight points in the first quarter, as the Knicks trailed just 22-21 after one.

However, in the second, it was a big play by New York that sparked the visiting Bucks.

With the Knicks down 40-30 in the second quarter, Quincy Acy stole the ball and started charging down court. After a quick behind the back dribble, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo went up to block his shot, but instead got posterized by Acy, who threw the ball down with authority.

“I got mad, I’m not going to lie, I was mad,” Antetokounmpo said.

“The Greek Freak” went on to post 16 points and 12 rebounds, turning in several highlight-reel plays along the way. The Bucks took a 45-38 lead into the break and kept on the gas after halftime.

The visitors shot 50 percent in the third quarter and their five starters combined for 31 points to took a 12-point cushion into the fourth.

In the final frame, the inexperienced Knicks didn’t have the type of firepower necessary to complete the comeback. New York shot just 36.8 percent in the fourth and fell.

“Losing isn’t enjoyable in any way shape or form,” Fish said. “From an emotional standpoint, you just have to continue to manage what you can manage, what you can control, and continue to keep your mind focused on positive things.”

NEXT UP

With no delay, the Knicks will travel out to Tennessee to try and take out one of the Western Conference’s best teams in the Memphis Grizzlies, who are coming off of a frustrating loss to the Denver Nuggets.

According to Fish this will be another opportunity to find victory number six this season, as well as an opportunity for his young squad to witness the habits of a veteran squad in Memphis.

“We are searching for a win, but I think more importantly we are searching for what winners do in order to win,” he said. “That’s the harder part and we are still in the very early stages of developing those types of characteristics and habits from each guy top to bottom.’’

Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. EST from the FedEx Forum, and the game will be broadcast on MSG.

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