Easy win.
And just like that the 18-game losing streak came to an end. In Atlanta. That’s how bad Atlanta is. That’s how good the Knicks are. Very secretly on this team there is talent. In Mitchell Robinson, a ton of talent. Behind him — Dennis Smith Jr, Allonzo Trier, Kevin Knox, Kadeem Allen, and now John Jenkins is shooting lights out from all over. The Knicks finally have a ‘shooter’ (besides Luke Kornet, who was a horrid 3-16 in this game).
Not enough talent to beat Golden State, or even New Jersey — but young rising talent who, with the right coach, could win some games. And that is the fear with 24 games to go. They have to lose probably 22 of those games to keep their bottom-3 position for the draft lottery. Already Phoenix has surpassed them into last place.
In this game, like any game, there was Mitchell Robinson — who some people on twitter are starting to compare to Bill Russell, let alone Shaquille O’Neal (Trey Burke and teammates knicknamed him “Skinny Shaq” during the summer.)
Not up in here ✋ pic.twitter.com/RC9ivDkmIG
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 15, 2019
Robinson had 6 pts (3-5), 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks in 19 minutes in the last game before the all star break — without the injury that kept him out a month he would have surely been in the Rising Star game — and would have possibly been the most eye-opening player in the game.
I mean… pic.twitter.com/0dg7jhX5Ds
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 15, 2019
And so that was it — easy win. Everyone shot well (except Kornet) and went into the All Star break feeling good. Dennis Smith Jr was 7-10 for 19 pts, DeAndre Jordan had 10 pts (4-4 and 2-2 from the free throw line) and 13 rebounds, Dotson 4-11 for 13 pts, Trier 2-2 (needs to take more shots!) for 6 pts in 19 min, Allen 5-9 for 14 pts, and Jenkins 6-13 for 14 pts. Knox only 2-9 but pulled down 10 rebounds in 22 minutes and people have been getting on him to rebound more so he can attend the All Star game happy.
Casual 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/CUN2oHZQ2f
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) February 15, 2019
For Atlanta
Trae Young can not only shoot but he can PASS — making him quite good. In this game — 16 pts, 6 rebounds, 11 assists. He is small though. Listed at 6’2 he looks 5’11. If the 2018 NBA draft were held again — at this point in time — I’m betting he’d go 3rd behind Mitchell Robinson the 2nd pick, and Luka Doncic the 1st pick?
John Collins, who so many people are in love with, had an ordinary game (8 pts and 1 rebound in 25 min). Seven footer Dewayne Dedmon had 21 pts, Kevin Huerter didn’t score (0 pts on 0-4), Basemore had 16 pts, Taurean Prince had 10 pts.
After the All Star Break — Guards Returning
Mario Hezonja was out due to injury. Frank Ntilikina and Emmanuel Mudiay remain out with their injuries; they are due back after the All Star break. What then? How many minutes for them — versus Kadeem Allen, John Jenkins, Allonzo Trier, Damyean Dotson, Dennis Smith Jr? All good guards. And remember — Knicks have to LOSE — 22 of the last 24.
The boxscore:
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