HOOP SCOOP
NICKS, N NETS & NBA PREVIEWS
FIFTY years ago, the Knicks embarked on a campaign that netted them their first NBA championship. Three years later, in 1973, the Knicks added a second title.
There hasn’t been another since — a championship drought expected to extend to 47 years by spring.
The bar for this iconic brand has been set so low in this era that its loyal fans who still pack the Garden would be content if their team is still in the thick of a playoff race in March. The Knicks have missed the playoffs six straight years — out of contention by March 1 the last five.
Last season, the Knicks hit rock bottom, posting a leagueworst 17-65 mark, tied for the franchise’s worst season. The tank-fest ultimately netted the No. 3 pick, RJ Barrett, whose every move will be dissected in his rookie year because he stands as their best hope of having a future star.
After an uninspiring summer in which president Steve Mills signed seven B-to-C-level free agents with their league-high cap space, the Knicks don’t look ready to break the playoff drought — let alone any title drought. The preseason ended with a dreary 1-3 mark in which they lost at home to NBA dregs Washington and Atlanta.
Their modest, Kevin Durantless free-agent haul reeks of guys who would have been left unprotected in an expansion draft.
“I don’t have a gauge or number, but I do think this team can be a lot better,’’ Knicks coach David Fizdale said. “I just think we got a good mix of talented players. The guys all add a different skill set that we didn’t have before. We added more shooting, couplecou more playmakers, playmak we got some gguys that can post. We got a guy or two that’s t done it in the playoffs, which wh is a really valuable val asset. That’sTha why I feel like ththis team is maybe fufurther ahead than last year’s team.’’
Not exactly a gaudy prediction, but there are lots of unknowns in incorporating nine new faces.
“We’re building,’’ said Julius Randle, the marquee signing. “It’s going to take time, but I like where we’re going. We just have to have patience. The process is going to take time but we’re going to get there.’’
STARTING FIVE Is the Knicks threeheaded point-guard monster just beginning?
The four-game preseason didn’t clear much up as the trio of point guards — Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Ntilikina and free-agent addition Elfrid Payton — combined to shoot 14 of 58. If Fizdale wants to win now and isn’t still stuck in player-development mode, Payton would get the call. But no matter whom Fizdale chooses as the openingnight starter, it may mean nothing. Fizdale’s call on who finishes games
is as important. The first 20 games could be a revolving door. The three candidates excel at different things, though shooting is not a strength of any of them. Smith’s preseason was brutal, but the franchise is keen on developing him. In a league of scoring point guards, the lack of points from this position is a concern. However, with defense becoming the Knicks’ top priority, Payton and Ntilikina have the clear edge over Smith. Payton is the most accomplished — a good playmaker, penetrator and defender. Ntilkina is the best defender of the bunch but doesn’t get to the basket to create. All three have been injury-prone, so minutes could sort themselves out that way.
Will this be the season of Barrett?
If RJ Barrett’s rookie year suggests the 6-foot-7 former Duke lefty sniper is destined for stardom, the season could be stamped a success even without the Knicks reaching 30 wins. The No. 3 pick in the draft racked up smooth numbers in preseason (15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists in a whopping 37.4 minutes per game) and Fizdale didn’t want to take him off the court. Let’s hope the coach doesn’t burn him out too quickly. After a rocky summer league, Barrett is showing to be a quick learner who can help a team even if he’s not shooting well from deep. He does almost everything well. He moves smartly without the ball, finds the open man, is strong and tall enough to barrel to the hoop to make up for lack of explosiveness, and he rebounds and defends. The Canadian also has embraced being a transplanted New Yorker with roots in the outer boroughs — his mother’s from Brooklyn, his father played at St. John’s.
Is Fizdale on the hot seat?
If the Knicks are out of the race by Dec. 1 and bumbling toward a 20-win season, the Knicks coach may not survive. Fizdale, who has projected a more serious demeanor this fall, has one year remaining on a three-year contract. Usually an extension would be in order after the campaign to avoid lame-duck status. A 30-win season with Barrett producing and solid development from second-year men Kevin Knox II and Mitchell Robinson should spark extension talks. Fizdale is a wizard at motivating his players, but a lack of creativity on last-minute possessions already surfaced in the preseason finale. He has installed a pressure defense and promised a more complicated offensive scheme. Fizdale was a superstar assistant coach, but the jury is still out as the head man after failing to survive two seasons in Memphis.
What will constitute sophomore success for Knox/Robinson?
Knox, their 2018 lottery pick, is in a new role, coming off the bench as Marcus Morris’ backup. He didn’t look relaxed in preseason, shooting just 37.9 percent. His rookie season was a roller coaster. Now 20, Knox has more definition in his upper body — which should help on inside power moves. Fizdale has already cited Knox’s improved defensive awareness, but he has to become a knockdown outside shooter. Meanwhile, Robinson was so impressive as a project rookie, his encore season could be a letdown. The 7-footer — a fierce shot-blocker who gets his points on agile alley-oops and putbacks — looks to have the same arsenal as his rookie season. There’s no evidence Robinson has gained a reliable mid-range jumper. His compatibility with an inside force like Randle could be an issue.
Will there be 48 minutes of hell?
Fizdale doesn’t want to classify the new scheme as a back-court press but it’s similar. He wants to pressure the ball 94 feet and have the team’s identity be its wrecking-ball defense with a rugged frontline led by Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis and Morris. In two of the four preseason games, Fizdale was very pleased with the defensive effort and rotations. With a deep rotation, the players don’t have to conserve energy on defense. Last season, Fizdale’s team ranked 22nd in allowing 113.7 points per 100 possessions. That needs to improve if the Knicks are going to be relevant.