Post Game Reaction: Pistons 112 Knicks 92
Well guys its that time of year again. The Knicks have 17 games left including this one. Its tanking season everyone knows it from the fans and the analysts but for some reason the Knicks don't know it. They still trot out their usual starters, it made no difference as they were dominated by the Pistons 112-92. For most of the game the Knicks looked like a dis-interested team. Lets break it down.
This game was just another case of why this team has been so bad this year. Right from the start the Knicks looked totally tired and not interested in playing, they got down by 13pts very quickly. The Pistons looked like a juggernaut offensively as the Knicks looked allergic to playing defense. All year its been their lack of defense that has hurt them. The Knicks have talent but what we have seen is that these guys are not willing to put effort on that end. The Pistons finished up with 112pts, shooting 48% from the field. It just came so easy for the Pistons. The Knicks would make runs at times to cut the game to single-digits and even got back to within 5pts but as quick as they cut the lead the Pistons would just regain a double-digit lead.
For the Pistons they were led by their starting lineup. They got 28pts 7rebs 5asts from Harris, Drummond with 24pts 15rebs and Jackson with 19pts 8asts. The three of them did the heavy lifting, especially Harris, who scored 23 first half points. As great of a game that Porzingis played, he plays very little defense, he could not contain Harris. I think Porzingis has been hanging out with Melo and Rose too much, they must have rubbed off of him. Like those other two, Porzingis may score 20pts but will give up like 30pts on the other end. Not a two-way player yet. On the Knicks side Porzingis led the Knicks with 18pts 6blks, all 5 Knick starters scored in double figures. On a side not Melo looked totally lost. He played 36min and just took 9 shots, I think the season has weighed on him. Not sure why they even play him anymore, there is nothing to gain.
Tanking season. The Knicks right now are 7 games in the loss column behind the 8th seed, with 16 games left. They are right now 12th in the East, so its not just making up the losses but they need a bunch of teams to lose games. A very long shot to make the playoffs. Still, the Knicks let Melo and Porzingis play 36 meaningless minutes. The outcome of this game does not matter. Rose ended up with 27 minutes, why? The Knicks should not pay him this summer, so why even play him. Let Randle and Baker get all the minutes they can handle. The Knicks with 40 losses, have the 8th worst record in the NBA, with tanking they could get it down to the 4th worst record and that would be huge as that would give them a chance at a top 5 pick. Thats a huge deal. If you recall 2 years ago the Knicks were in a similar spot and won 2 of 3 games to end the season and that dropped them to picking 4th. Porzingis turned out to be a solid pick but imagine they just tanked, they would have gotten Towns. Towns is head and shoulders better than Porzingis, he averaged 28pts 15rebs since the All-Star break. This season seems very similar as the Knicks biggest need is PG, well this draft has two elite ones at the top between Fultz and Ball. The Knicks to get one of those guys they need to tank. This is just my two sense and it just makes too much sense but of course these are the Knicks we are talking about they never do the right thing or the practical thing. They still have the belief that they are a title contender.
As you can see I am a believer that the Knicks season is over. Its all about getting the worst record possible. With 16 games left, I want the Knicks to lose all of them or at least lose like 13 to 14 of them. People will say why are you promoting for them to just give up on the season, well even if they make a run and get the 8th seed, they will play Cleveland and will lose in 4 games. This year they have been crushed by the Cavs. Then what? What happens this offseason? The Knicks would be in the same spot and with a late lottery pick, so it makes no sense to push for the playoffs.