The defending-champion Knicks fell 106-100 to the new-look Philadelphia 76ers on NBA opening night. While fans focus on how New York dropped that game right after raising the banner, the context paints a bigger picture.
After June 13, many questions arose: Can New York keep this team together? Did the Knicks just find themselves at the right place at the right time? The Eastern Conference is much stronger now; how can the Knicks replicate last year’s success?
All valid questions, but the first game of the season is never a good indicator of success for the next 81 games.
What Went Wrong for the Knicks?
Knicks head coach Mike Brown constantly emphasizes playing fast and spacing the floor to get guys good looks. New York was going back to the winning formula they had put together in the postseason, letting KAT act as a hub in the offense.
Here’s where this becomes an issue — Towns picked up his first two fouls early in the first quarter. With a cornerstone of the team on the bench, the perimeter threat lessens, and the ball doesn’t move as efficiently. Towns has to minimize his fouls throughout the game so his team can use him to the fullest, especially when the game is tight and rebounds can decide the outcome.
The starting lineup shot an unimpressive 7-of-23 from beyond the arc, and the team as a whole was only 11-of-33. New York finishing last postseason as the No. 1-ranked three-point shooting team holds them to a standard which wasn’t met.
On the defensive end, there was a lack of communication. Multiple times, the Sixers hunted mismatches on Brunson and got easy drives to the basket or kick-outs to players sitting at the perimeter. There was no consistent defensive anchor, despite Andre Drummond‘s valiant effort to hold things down in the first half.
In contrast to the Knicks, Philadelphia put pressure on ball handlers and converted New York’s turnovers into transition points. Simply put, the hometown heroes looked sloppy but kept the game down to a few possessions by the end.
When asked about the team’s slow play, it was like “being stuck in mud,” Coach Brown said.
The Knicks Are Here to Stay
Not a single team in the league is perfect, but sometimes all they need is a good outlook on things. New York re-signed nearly everyone apart of the roster that won it all last year, with the exception of their backup centers.
They signed Drummond to a team-friendly deal, and his drive to contribute as much as possible when he’s on the floor was evident in his debut. He logged an explosive first half, grabbing every rebound and boxing out Joel Embiid under the rim. Drummond finished with a double-double, putting together 12 points and 14 rebounds in 24 minutes.
Along with Drummond, the second unit seemed to be in mid-season form. From Landry Shamet to Jose Alvarado, the same guys who were making crucial plays down the stretch of the finals are still contributing when they’re needed most. Some of them signing for multiple years on great contracts, and they’re improving certain aspects of their game as time goes on.
The NBA did New York a favor with their opening game; the favorites to come out of the East this season are a good wake-up call. What develops a sense of urgency better than a completely rebuilt division rival that poses a threat to your aspirations? Everyone on the Knicks including coaches and staff are hungry to prove that last year wasn’t a fluke.
Many consider the 76ers a juggernaut. It will take time for them to gel and build chemistry, but New York is battle-tested together as a group. Anyone who has been watching these past few seasons will recognize how far strong chemistry has taken the organization. The future is very bright, especially when there are young and talented names sitting on the bench. Developing players like Mohamed Diawara or the newly acquired James Wiseman.
An Emotional Night
When asked about whether the emotional toll of the ceremony spilled over into the game, Mike Brown said:
“You know, I don’t know, but they had to kinda sit and wait through it too, and you know I understand we’re human. It’s for me, it’s about trying to keep taking steps up or climbing forward and not giving any excuses, and we had to lace ’em up and play, and we didn’t get the job done. So I’m gonna call it like I see it, so that hopefully we can be a little bit better next time we step on the floor.”
The Knicks did what most couldn’t do last season. It’s only fair for them to be out of their element after such an important event. From now on, fans should expect an even better brand of basketball than what they’re used to watching every other night, the time to make history is now.
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