NBA Power Rankings week 17: OKC Thunder and peers enter break
27. . 17-38. Previous: 24th. New York Knicks. 24. team
New York Knicks:
Offense: (104.9) 29th
Defense: (111.8) 22nd
Net: (minus -6.9) 26th
Results Week 17: (0-1) Lost vs Wizards: 96-114
Games Week 18: (1 game) Fri vs Pacers
As the Knicks entered the break the Mecca was still buzzing over the firing of Steve Mills and the potential effect that had on the team. It’s not that Mills didn’t need to go. Rather, it was the timing on when he left.
Reflecting back it’s hard to believe the brain trust thought they would be more competitive than they’ve been. Worse yet, that the team would forego developing their youngsters instead of focusing on player development particularly of the youngsters on the squad is a head-scratcher.
If this Knicks squad had a host of young talent like the Bulls their mindset would be more understandable (and let’s keep in mind all the injuries in Chicago this season). But they don’t have that talent base yet which speaks to the man at the helm. And by that, I mean the owner – James Dolan.
Leon Rose is expected to be hired as President of Basketball Operations and as of this writing murmurs of Tom Thibodeau being interested in the head coach role is rampant.
As for the team – Mike Miller should get RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson specifically as much exposure as possible.
The Knicks season is a wash without those superstar free agents or Zion landing in New York. But, they do have RJ. For those who caught the Rising Stars match the ease with which he registered 27 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals is a reminder of the one quality core piece the Knicks have (two if you count Mitchell).