Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. We’re here to talk about the daily happenings in the NBA!
The Knicks are over .500, guys.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Dale Zanine/USA Today.)
So here’s something that’s taken a lot of us by surprise: the Knicks are decent. They are now 4-3 after beating the Atlanta Hawks.
It’s not like they made a splash in free agency; I don’t think they’ve made a huge one since Amar’e Stoudemire went there. But they did get a good coach in Tom Thibodeau, who made the Bulls an Eastern power for a few years and helped the Timberwolves get a playoff berth after a 14-year drought. Now he’s getting the most of this roster.
Granted, his habits of overplaying his stars are still comically there; RJ Barrett and Julius Randle are #1 and #2 in minutes per game. But Randle is playing the best he’s ever played and has become that guy in New York. His averages of 22.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists certainly widened eyes but his shooting of .409 from behind the arc is even more impressive. The other obvious difference is that he has more than doubled his assists from last season. He’s a far more willing passer than he’s ever been. His post game is always there but passing out of them when he gets swarmed has opened up a new dimension in his game. Randle has been a potent scorer the last few years but his sharing the ball could actually net a few more wins for the Knicks. And it has.
RJ Barrett has been able to find a way to score. He’s at 18.3 points per but despite his shooting not being all that great and at 7.6 boards per contest. He went for 26-11-5 against the Hawks and might be somebody to look out for. When he starts putting in more buckets on a more consistent manner, watch out.
But the Knicks also seem to have solid role players that help out Randle and Barrett. We see Mitchell Robinson continue to make strides. Elfrid Payton has been solid thus far. Austin Rivers, as much as he gets made fun of, has been making all the gritty plays. Rookie Immanuel Quickley came in against the Hawks and scored 16 points.
Yes, it’s early but it’s okay for Knicks fans to feel energized about this start. Sure, a lot can still go wrong (namely, the Knicks’ best players wearing down because of Thibs). But considering last year’s team was at 4-20 at one point (WHOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAA), I’m sure the team and their fans will take a 4-3 start.
Bullet Passes
For now, we can stop wondering a bit about the slow start by the Mavs. They beat the Rockets and Luka Doncic went for 33-16-11.
The Raptors, however, will still have questions after a 1-5 start. Losing Serge Ibaka and Marc Gasol is turning out to be huge. Not just for defensive and rebounding purposes (Raptors currently last in rebound percentage) but also their leadership and stability in the locker room.
Also, the Raptors seemed to pride themselves on stepping up their game when someone was injured. It made this team so admirable. But this year, we have this horrid start.
Stephen Curry had 30-9-8 in a Warriors blowout over the Kings. Suddenly, social media seems silent about him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo went for 43 points on Monday. Time to step it up, two-time MVP.
Even though the Cavs got blown out, Collin Sexton is still scoring and it’s a testament to how much he continues to get it. He’s at 25.7 points per game this season.
NBA Scoreboard
Jan. 4, 2021
Watch This Play
The Pelicans had a chance to ice the game with a three-point lead but Victor Oladipo takes it away from them and Myles Turner sends the game to OT.
Wild stuff in New Orleans tonight. Myles Turner 3 came down with snow on it. pic.twitter.com/sCGlHFCRe4
— Leigh Ellis (@LeighEllis) January 5, 2021
I really like this tough Pacers team more and more.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.