There are a few coaches (and organizations) who’ve shown a knack for coaxing discernable improvement from malcontents or players deemed uncoachable. David Fizdale must have picked up nuances from Erik Spoelstra who is one of the basketball whisperers of the disenchanted.
Although Mario Herzonja isn’t lighting up the stat sheet the fire which earmarked him to be selected fifth in his draft is back. Likewise, Fizdale is cajoling career best efforts from castaways Emmanuel Mudiay and Noah Vonelh.
Rookies Allonzo Trier, Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson are all producing impressive first year campaigns.
Now, let’s just hope James Dolan doesn’t force management to throw all this nurturing talent away in one fell swoop to land John Wall.
New York Knicks:
Offensive Rating: 24th
Defensive Rating: 27th
Net Differential: 26th
Points per game: 108.4 (tied 20th)
Offensive field goal efficiency: 43.8 percent (28th)
Opponent points per game: 115.0 (26th)
Opponent field goal efficiency: 47.7 percent (27th)
Home: 4-9
Road: 4-11
Back to back sets: 6
Versus the West: 3-4
Versus the East: 5-16
Week eight 0-4: Lost to Wizards, Celtics, Nets and Hornets
On tap for week 9: @Cavaliers, @Hornets, @Pacers