The Knicks played a great game! 4 quarters of pretty good basketball. Unfortunately for all of us, The Knicks played 2 games this weekend. 8 quarters of basketball and 0 wins.
The Spurs were riding a Popovich-Era worst 8 game losing streak heading into Saturday's matchup with the Knicks and instead of coming out an smelling the blood in the water like some hungry sharks, the Knicks drowned.
A competitive game for 3 quarters against the Nets, there were windows and doors of opportunity left open to take a win from Brooklyn without Kyrie. No such luck as the Knicks drop another game.
I've been a steadfast Knicks apologist and focused on the rebuild and I understand that it is something that is going to take some time for the growth of the young core to gel together and grind out some emotional wins but the problem is this:
The Knicks do not know how to win games.
It is really that simple. The Knicks can come out, play hard and be a competitive team but when it comes down to closing out games, they play "not to lose" instead of playing to win. This mindset has very obviously been making everyone very tentative and iso focused, chucking up three's and playing terrible transition defense off long rebounds.
I am in no way advocating for him to come to NY but a Chris Paul type veteran to keep composure and keep this young core settled down and focused is an extreme need for this team. The Knicks need a winner somewhere in that lineup but the sacrifice of assets and draft picks are high for that type of player and would definitely hinder the process of youth and building through the draft. This would also have long-term negative affects on the salary cap the front office is trying to keep flexible.
Let's have some fun. Tweet me with some trade ideas or some vets you'd like to see in the Orange and Blue.