As the New York Knicks play host to some of the best teams in the NBA, most recently the Western Conference power Houston Rockets, their rotation looks very little like it promised to be at the beginning of the season.
With injuries to Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire, as well as the departure of J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, Derek Fisher has had to look down the bench, where he sees plenty of flavor from his Las Vegas Summer League squad.
And while the young team brings some impressive energy and effort at times, that simply wasn’t’ enough Thursday night against the high flying rockets, as the Knicks fell 120-96.
Three of New York’s top minute-getters—Shane Larkin, Langston Galloway and Cleanthony Early—were all present in Vegas, as were starters Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cole Aldrich.
As the starting unit faltered, Derek looked down his bench, where Travis Wear and Galloway had already caught Derek’s attention in the previous game against the Washington Wizards, when they both posted career highs in points. The two rookies made a statement with Wear and Galloway dropping 21 and 19 points respectively, showing that the youth movement is in full effect in New York City. Early, a rookie, added another 16, as the Knicks bench combined to score 70 points.
“I think for Langston being new to this stage and this opportunity, he tried to make the most of it,” Derek said. “He played with that reckless abandon that you need to be successful in this league, and like I said before the game, he’s not scared of the moment.”
The game did not start well for the Knicks. The aforementioned starters struggled in the early going, struggling to keep up with James Harden, who scored 25 points, and Dwight Howard, who put up a double-double.
With his starters failing to pose a threat, he quickly turned to his youth, and his move paid off in an obscure way. Wear got a bit innovative with his jump shot when he struggled handling the ball in a 1-on-1 situation. After bobbling the ball around he regained control as he fell backwards, and threw up a prayer, which worked out in spectacular fashion.
Shortly after Wear’s three, Galloway made one of the plays of the season when Shane Larkin missed his three attempt, and Galloway proceeded to reach back and throw it down with one hand in front of Howard.
Fish went into halftime expecting his crew to battle back and cut into the 56-44 deficit, but things took a turn for the worse after giving up a 12-point run in three minutes to one of the best offenses in the NBA. To his displeasure, Derek acted quickly and got his bench players in the game as soon as he could.
“Those guys that started the half gave up 12 points in three minutes. So they didn’t deserve to be still in the game, and we went to the younger guys,” D-Fish said.
The young guys played well, but eventually fell to one of the more experienced playoff contenders in the association.
Some fans in attendance decided to display their frustrations by placing paper bags over their heads. Fish, known for keeping his cool head, has the support of the Knicks organization, and also from other prominent figures in the NBA, including former teammate Kevin Durant.
“He’s one of those guys I’m willing to go through tough times with and I’m sure everybody in New York feels the same way.” Durant said earlier in the week.
NEXT UP
The Knicks will take on the Charlotte Hornets, who they’ve beaten earlier this season, on Saturday for a 1 p.m. EST tipoff.