NOT HALF BAD
Improvement noted on Knicks’ midterm report card
It’s time for the midterm grades, delivered, appropriately during these times, from a reporter with only remote access to the Knicks but plenty of enthusiasm about where they’re headed. Like most prognosticators, we were wrong about the Knicks. At least so far. We picked them to win 25 games in this shortened season, believing that was even optimistic for one of the youngest and cheapest rosters in the NBA. The Knicks have already won 18 games.
And since we grade on a bit of a curve (expectations vs. production), this midterm report card is something to include on the college resume with six A’s, five B’s, one C and three D’s.
IMMANUEL QUICKLEY, GUARD
l AVERAGES: 18.9 minutes, 12.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 39.4% shooting. l GRADE: A l COMMENTS: The rookie plays way above his experience in terms of savvy and confidence, showing versatility on offense with a lethal floater and an impeccable ability to draw fouls. Quickley wasn’t supposed to contribute so quickly (pun intended) as the 25th overall pick, but he’s already produced 12 games where he scored at least 16 points. Inconsistency is the only knock. He’s had some shooting duds.
DERRICK ROSE, GUARD
l AVERAGES: 24.6 minutes, 12.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 43.1% shooting. l GRADE: A l COMMENTS: Rose was acquired only a few weeks ago, but his impact was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. First, it was with the second unit, where Rose helped push rookies Quickley and Obi Toppin with a faster pace. Then it was with the starters following Elfrid Payton’s injury. He’s shooting an impressive 45.5% from beyond the arc, which probably isn’t sustainable but would represent the best of his career, by far.
REGGIE BULLOCK, WING
l AVERAGES: 26.1 minutes, 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 41.1% shooting l GRADE: B+ l COMMENTS: A bargain on his $4.2 million salary, Bullock has won and held a starting spot since Game 1. He’s a 3-and-D specialist who has been good in Tom Thibodeau’s defensive schemes while sometimes catching fire from beyond the arc. If he’s missing that open 3-pointer, however, Bullock can be an offensive liability. He doesn’t score many other ways.
ALEC BURKS, GUARD
l AVERAGES: 24.9 minutes, 11.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 40.4% shooting l GRADE: B+ l COMMENTS: Like Bullock but better offensively and worse defensively. His offensive rating is No. 1 on the team among qualifying players, and he’s contributed six games with at least 18 points. He’s recovered nicely from the ankle sprain that cost him 12 games early in the season.
KEVIN KNOX, FORWARD
l AVERAGES: 15.3 minutes, 5.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 36.9% shooting l GRADE: D l COMMENTS: Was part of the rotation at the start of the season and shot well from beyond the arc. But Burks’ return from injury sent Knox to the bench at the end of January and he’s rarely gotten off since. His -7.6 net rating is the worst on the team.
JULIUS RANDLE, FORWARD
l AVERAGES: 36.6 minutes, 23.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 48.0% shooting l GRADE: A+ l COMMENTS: Enough words have been dedicated to Randle’s transformation this season to an All-Star. So we’ll just add that he’s suddenly a remarkable 3-point shooter, beyond logic. Last season he shot 27.7% on fewer attempts per game. This season? 41%.
ELFRID PAYTON, GUARD
l AVERAGES: 28 minutes, 12.4 points, 3.7 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 44% shooting l GRADE: B l COMMENTS: A stabilizing force defensively as the starting point guard, but his shaky jumper remains an impediment. Payton has missed three straight games with a strained groin, and the Knicks won each of them, which leaves the question of whether he’ll still hold the starting spot upon his return. But he’s earned Thibodeau’s trust.
RJ BARRETT, WING
l AVERAGES: 33.3 minutes, 16.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 43.7% shooting l GRADE: Al COMMENTS: Has emerged as the Knicks’ No. 2 next to Randle, demonstrating a versatile and efficient offensive game that went largely missing last season. His 3-point shooting has risen to a respectable 34.5% and it’s keeping the defense honest. Barrett said he was motivated by being left off the All-Rookie team last season and he’s already made his point.
AUSTIN RIVERS, GUARD
l AVERAGES: 21 minutes, 7.3 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 43% shooting l GRADE: D l COMMENTS: Contributed a few monster games early in the season off the bench, and basically beat the Jazz by himself in January. But then he went cold and was pulled from the rotation. He’s logged seven consecutive DNPs and acknowledged that he’s bracing for a trade.
OBI TOPPIN, FORWARD
l AVERAGES: 12.7 minutes, 4.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 47.6% shooting l GRADE: Cl COMMENTS: He’s shown flashes, but more was expected from the 22-year-old lottery draft pick. Thibodeau has played Toppin on a short leash, pulling him often after short spurts. The athleticism and speed are impressive, but it’s unclear whether Toppin can be a stretch-4 — as he’s tried to be sometimes this season — or develop a better post game so that he can operate in the halfcourt.
NERLENS NOEL, CENTER
l AVERAGES: 21.5 minutes, 4.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 59.4% shooting l GRADE: Al COMMENTS: A strong fit with Thibodeau as a rim protector, providing the defense its anchor. He’s filled in for the injured Mitchell Robinson better than anybody expected. The defense hasn’t skipped a beat. Noel is second in the NBA in blocks per 36 minutes, behind only the Pacers’ Myles Turner.
FRANK NTILIKINA, GUARD
l AVERAGES: 14.3 minutes, 5.4 points, 0.9 assists, 0.9 rebounds, 45.5% shooting l GRADE: D l COMMENTS: Ntilikina was thought to be a good match for Thibodeau as a defensive-minded combo guard. But he was injured early and cut from the rotation. He played the last three games because of Payton’s injury, and there were enough positive moments to maintain the intrigue. But it’s hard to see where Ntilikina fits in the long term. He’s on his fourth coach and will be a free agent after the season.
TAJ GIBSON, CENTER
l AVERAGES: 15.1 minutes, 3.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 58% shooting l GRADE: Bl COMMENTS: Acquired as insurance and played only 12 games before spraining his ankle last week. He’s done the job when called upon, serving as a defensive presence in the paint and a veteran leader for Thibodeau.
MITCHELL ROBINSON, CENTER
l AVERAGES: 28.8 minutes, 8.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 66% shooting l GRADE: B l COMMENTS: Stock has dropped a bit since he broke his hand, but Robinson had been more reliable than ever by gaining control of his fouling this season. He’s lost some of the blocking prowess with less aggression, but remains an efficient and elite finisher of alley-oops and putbacks.
TOM THIBODEAU, COACH A
l GRADE: l COMMENTS: Immediately influenced the Knicks to become a top-3 defensive team. That’s Thibodeau’s calling card and the players have responded. Consider this: The entire regular starting lineup was on last season’s roster that finished 2145. The biggest addition was on the sideline.