The Knicks are developing a horrible habit of being outworked by inferior teams.
During a stunning run to the playoffs last season, and even so far this season, the Knicks could depend on two things: outworking their opponents and counting on Julius Randle to lead them.
Even as they have surged out to a 5-2 start to the season, there have been strange, if not scary, signs that something isn’t quite right yet.
After collapsing and losing a 15-point lead against an undermanned Toronto Raptors club at Madison Square Garden on Monday night, the Raptors admitted that they worked harder. It has been a pattern in half of the games for the team to play down to the level of the competition, which is worrisome given that the Knicks have just lately risen from their underdog status.
They lost at home to Orlando two days after annihilating the Magic on the road, and they barely escaped against a depleted New Orleans club on Friday, as much of the roster seemed to go through the motions after creating an early lead.
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“I think they just played tougher than us, honestly,” RJ Barrett said after the defeat on Monday night. “They worked harder than we did. In the NBA, the team that plays the hardest usually wins.
“They brought it to us… It’s not a pleasant feeling to be outplayed or outworked. It’s not a pleasant sensation. Coming out there and outworking everyone is something we pride ourselves on.”
Randle admitted it, saying, “We should’ve learnt from that by now.”
The Knicks have spoken about the pressures that have been placed on them since Tom Thibodeau came over as coach before last season. Being in shape and working hard are non-negotiable characteristics, and the players have taken on that duty as they have progressed.
This season, though, it has been patchy at best, and the boost in skill and depth on the roster has camouflaged some of the shortcomings in the early going. The Knicks have scored by hitting three-pointers and playing at a considerably quicker tempo. It has, however, exposed them to runs like the one they had on Monday, when they gave up 50 points in just over 12 minutes, encompassing part of the second quarter and the start of the second half.
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“Their squad worked very hard,” Thibodeau said. “That’s normally what happens when a team is shorthanded; they’ll play with tremendous intensity, and if you don’t have an edge, it’s not going to be good.” Every player in this league is a fantastic athlete. You can’t get here unless you’re fantastic. Everyone has the ability to defeat you. It’s necessary to play with a bit of a slant. “I have 48 minutes to play.”
Randle was the Knicks’ go-to player last season, leading the team in both performance and mentality. However, something has been lacking this season as he adjusts to playing with more offensive threats around him. He has moved the ball freely, and his assist and turnover totals are identical to last year’s. But there has also been irritation as clubs have sought to take the ball away from him. He only attempted nine shots in Saturday’s victory against New Orleans, and after an 18-point first quarter, he was 2-for-8 with three turnovers on Monday.
Randle dismissed the idea that anything Toronto did influenced his production or attitude.
“It’s always disappointing to lose,” he remarked. “You play every game with the goal of winning. But you can’t mope about it. We must learn from it and keep going forward. I need to prepare for this two-game road trip [to Indiana and Milwaukee]. It’s going to be difficult.”
Nerlens Noel (knee) and Taj Gibson (sprained left ankle) are both listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s game against Indiana.
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