The Knicks Are Shooting More. It’s Working
It’s another day of NBA action and we have more to talk about. From the Knicks finally beating the 76ers to the Lakers thrilling win in overtime without Lebron James.
Philadelphia 76ers vs New York Knicks
This game was supposed to be good. The 76ers had long reigned supreme over the Knicks, but now the two teams seemed like they were on the same tier. Two Eastern Conference foes, two historic franchises, this should have been what the Celtics vs Knicks game was.
That is until the Knicks went crazy in the 2nd quarter and then cruised to the win. Thanks for ruining the mood, New York.
Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers just didn’t bring the energy in this game. Their offense looked good to start this year, but it again struggled when Embiid wasn’t converting the looks he normally makes. Embiid is still hobbled by that knee injury and without him rolling, the 76ers aren’t the same team.
The 3-pointers didn’t fall and when you get outscored 39-16 in a quarter, you’re probably not going to win the game.
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is hurt, AGAIN. While he’s playing, it’s clear that his knee is bothering him. We saw him hobbled in that game against the Nets and again in last night’s game. He’s not 100% and everybody knows it, except for maybe the 76ers. I just have to deliver this PSA to Doc Rivers;
COULD YOU JUST REST HIM FOR A GAME?
Instead of trying to push your injury-prone center, who is currently injured, why not just rest him for a few games? Let that knee issue heal to avoid problems in the long term. I know I am speaking a different language here, but would it kill the 76ers to do that?
If Embiid going 2/7 from the field and finishing with just 14 points is any indicator, he’s not the same player. He scored most of his points at the free-throw line and didn’t look right. He was settling for perimeter shots and when he isn’t dominating, the 76ers aren’t a good team.
So, I must repeat my important PSA once again;
COULD YOU JUST REST HIM FOR A GAME?
The 76ers had one bad quarter in this game and it cost them. They looked relaxed, lethargic, etc. That’s not how you can afford to come out and play games, especially against another playoff team.
Disappointing showing for Philly in this game, but if they want to go anywhere this season, Joel Embiid has to be healthy. If he’s not, then they are screwed.
New York Knicks
The new-look New York Knicks (that’s fun to say), have gotten off to a hot start this season. Other than that loss to the Orlando Magic, they have looked excellent. They are shooting more 3’s, the defense is still good, and they look miles better than they did last season.
They exploded in the 2nd quarter of this game and just cruised to a win, breaking a 15-game losing streak against the 76ers. But this game was more than that, it was a statement. A statement to the rest of the league. The Knicks are back.
3-PT Shooting + Offensive Explosion
New York Knicks 3-PT Stats In 2021
11.8 3-PM (21st)
30.0 3-PA (27th)
% of FGA That Were 3’s: 35%
New York Knicks 3-PT Stats In 2022
17.5 3-PM (1st)
46.0 3-PA (2nd)
38% 3-PT (8th)
% of FGA That Were 3’s: 48%
The Knicks have changed their whole philosophy. They are shooting more 3’s and making them at a high rate. Similar to the Utah Jazz last season, essentially every other shot they take is a 3-pointer. It’s a dangerous game to play, but it’s working so far.
The offense as a whole has been much better. The Knicks are 3rd in points per game, 4th in offensive rating, and broke the NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a team’s first four games (70) through 4 games. The Knicks are making sure their offense isn’t their downfall again. They’re doing a good job so far.
The New York Knicks are a great team. They are shooting more 3’s and hitting them, largely in part to their new acquisitions, who have fit in seamlessly. Their defense and coaching remain excellent. They have a great home crowd.
They just have all the makings of a great team and they are going to be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. Just for the people in the back.
Devin Vassell Is Making The Jump
I was excited to see Devin Vassell as a rookie last season. But the lottery pick from Florida State didn’t produce at a high enough level and I kind of forgot about him. But Devin Vassell has dragged me right back in. He’s making that sophomore leap.
While it’s been just 4 games, Vassell looks like a much better player. He’s improved his scoring and efficiency across the board and the defense has looked really good thus far. Vassell is getting more minutes, and it’s working;
12.0 points – 1.8 steals – 56% TS – 45% 3-PT
Vassell has improved across the board and that can be attributed to several reasons.
Vassell’s first game of the year against the Orlando Magic was excellent. He was aggressive, attacking off the dribble, and hitting jump shots. The Spurs are giving him the ball more and he’s shown he’s more than just a catch-and-shoot threat.
Vassell’s defense has also been really good. He’s got a 0.5 DBPM (which is good) and he’s averaging nearly two steals per game. He’s giving Gregg Popovich reasons to be on the court and I think he’s en route to a great 2nd campaign.
Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz
A rematch of that thrilling 2020 first-round series in the bubble didn’t live up to the hype for many reasons. For starters, we didn’t get that Jamal Murray vs Donovan Mitchell rematch, which would have been incredibly fun to watch. Secondly, Nikola Jokic missed the entire 2nd half with an injury, and Denver’s offense fell flat.
Losing the best center in the NBA and the reigning MVP will do that to you.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are cursed. I’m convinced of it. They already don’t have Jamal Murray and now this. Nikola Jokic went down with a knee injury in the first half and didn’t play in the 2nd half. Not only did this kill my fantasy team, the Nuggets just couldn’t keep pace with the Jazz.
It’s not surprising, but could the Nuggets ever catch a break? Just for once?
Michael Porter Jr. Needs To Be Better
With the Nuggets’ two top players out, you expected MPJ to carry the load. He signed that big extension this offseason for that very reason. He didn’t live up to expectations.
In the 2nd half, Denver relied more on guys like Will Barton and Monte Morris. Barton scored nearly half of Denver’s points in the 2nd half while MPJ, more or less, did nothing. And that’s unacceptable.
MPJ went 2/10 in the 2nd half and was just 5/18 overall in his worst game of the season to date. I think this is where MPJ still needs to improve a lot. He’s a talented scorer, but he needs to be better on his own.
While we think of MPJ as a great shooter, a lot of his looks are because Nikola Jokic generates them. Not to say that MPJ is bad, but 71% of his 2-pointers and 92% of his 3-pointers last season were assisted. He’s not exactly breaking guys down off the dribble, he’s just a great off-ball player.
So, when Jokic wasn’t playing, MPJ struggled. I think this is why MPJ is slightly overrated. He just can’t score without the best playmaking center ever not passing him the ball.
With MPJ now being the 2nd option for this team, he needs to be better in isolation. He has to create shots on his own and take over games. That’s what Jamal Murray did and it’s what he’s going to have to do if this team wants to be successful.
The Nuggets Need More “Bones” In Their Life
In the 2nd half, when Denver needed offense, I was surprised that Michael (not Mike) Malone didn’t throw in his first-round pick from this year, Nay’Shon “Bones” Hyland.
Hyland showed promise in the preseason with his scoring prowess and playmaking. He can hit shots and he’s good at setting up his teammates. When the Nuggets offense was falling flat, I expected the Nuggets to put Hyland in to try and create a spark.
I get that their backcourt is pretty loaded with offensive weapons, but I would have liked to see Hyland (and Bol Bol) play more.
If Nikola Jokic isn’t healthy, then the Nuggets are f*****. They’re already without Jamal Murray and if MPJ continues to struggle to score on his own? Certainly a rocky start for the team from the Rockies. Rimshot
Utah Jazz
The Jazz’s offense was humming all night long and after Nikola Jokic went down with an injury in the 2nd half. But there were some underlying things to keep an eye on going forward.
Should Bojan Bogdanovic Be Starting?
Since that wrist surgery that Bogdanovic had in 2020, he hasn’t been the same. His shooting has decreased and with his lack of defense? I don’t think he should be starting anymore.
Bojan Bogdanovic In 2019-20;
20.2 points – 60% TS – 41% 3-PT
Bojan Bogdanovic Since 2020
75 games – 17.0 points – 59% TS – 39% 3-PT
Bogdanovic hasn’t been the same player since that wrist surgery in 2020. With his offensive production dipping, his lack of defense makes him unplayable. Aaron Gordon attacked Bogdanovic relentlessly to the tune of 9/13 shooting for 20 points.
Even though the Jazz won by 12, Bogdanovic had a plus/minus of -4. It’s clear the Jazz need another starting option at forward and they have it right in front of them.
Eric Paschall. Paschall stopped playing for the Warriors and the Jazz acquired him this offseason for basically nothing. He offers you good mid-range shooting and more importantly, great defense. Paschall was a +16 off the bench, providing much more substance than Bogdanovic. That’s why Eric Paschall should be starting over Bojan Bogdanovic.
If the Jazz start starting Paschall, then I like their chances a lot more. Bogdanovic gives them another shooter off the bench and I think Paschall is a better fit for them in the starting lineup.
Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
Los Angeles Lakers
Fine, I’ll talk about the Lakers. I, unlike most, thought that the Lakers’ 0-2 start was nothing to worry about. They’re the Lakers. What did we all expect?
The Lakers scraped out a win over the Grizzlies, but this game would be a new test. While the Spurs aren’t good or anything, the Lakers would be without Lebron James. Things went better than you’d expect.
Russell Westbrook + Anthony Davis Redemption
After the Lakers’ first two games of the season, things weren’t looking good. Russell Westbrook wasn’t being used right and Anthony Davis was dominating. The Lakers fittingly started 0-2. But since then, they’ve looked a lot better. The offense has picked up and in this game, without Lebron James, the duo of Westbrook + AD excelled.
The Lakers trailed by 12 entering the 4th quarter. They rallied back and eventually forced overtime because AD and Westbrook just completely took over the game
AD and Westbrook In The 4th Quarter + OT
13/20 shooting – 29 points – 16 rebounds – +28 plus/minus
That’s just pure domination. Let’s break it down.
Russell Westbrook
Westbrook made 15 field goals. 12 of them were in the paint. He was allowed to handle the ball up top and he was incredibly aggressive attacking the basket. He didn’t look to settle and he was incredibly effective.
Props to the Lakers for using Westbrook a lot better than they did to start the season. Even when Lebron comes back, they need to give him the ball and allow him to get a running start more often.
A solution to giving Westbrook more room is not starting Deandre Jordan, which I think will happen soon. Playing Anthony Davis at center works for everybody.
When Lebron comes back, Westbrook can be used as a screener. Similar to Giannis Antetokounmpo, defenses can’t build a wall if he just gets a running start by setting a screen.
It’s a step in the right direction for Westbrook, who is finally being right. Maybe this partnership can work out after all? Does that mean I was wrong? No, no, no, no, no, no, no…
Hillbilly Kobe Is Saving The Lakers Bench
You might think this is disrespect to Kobe, but it’s not. The Lakers’ bench production has been spotty so far this season. Carmelo Anthony either scores 20 points or 0, Kent Bazemore sucks, and without guys like Ariza and Talen-Horton Tucker, the bench production has been thin.
Enter Austin Reaves, aka Hillbilly Kobe. If the nickname wasn’t good enough, he’s provided the Lakers with solid production off the bench for their past two games.
Reaves played 18 minutes off the bench against the Grizzlies, even playing down the stretch. In those 18 minutes, Reaves was a +18 plus/minus, which is pretty incredible. While he scored just 4 points, he was impactful and helped the Lakers win a close game.
The same thing happened in the Spurs game from yesterday. Reaves played 30, yes 30, minutes off the bench. He played every single minute of the 4th quarter and finished with 10 points. It’s clear Frank Vogel likes him and he’s made an impact in limited playing time.
With the Lakers struggling with depth? Reaves could be a huge reason why this team stays together until they get healthier on the back-end. Hillbilly Kobe is indeed saving the Lakers.
Are the Lakers figuring things out? Time to eat my words.
What Are Your Thoughts From Yesterday’s Action? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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