KNICKS NEVER HAD A CHANCE
FIZDALE’S YOUNG CREW OVERMATCHED BY ELITE RAPTORS: BRAZILLER
TORONTO — David Fizdale had no interest in discussing the blockbuster Jimmy Butler trade to the 76ers and the deal’s ramifications for the Knicks early Saturday afternoon. He had other problems on his mind.
“This team that we’re playing ... that’s so skilled watching the film, I haven’t even had time to process that,” the Knicks coach said with a laugh. “I can’t think about that right now.”
He knew what was in store for his young team at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto against the best-in-the-NBA Raptors — the kind of deep, talented, two-way group Fizdale hopes to coach one day in New York. The Knicks got their first up-close look at the new and improved Raptors with imported star Kawhi Leonard, and it went as well as could be expected.
In this season, when development is the mission statement — not necessarily wins — this was another valuable, if tough-to-take, learning experience for the young Knicks. They played the lethal Raptors even for large stretches of the first half of Saturday afternoon’s 128-112 loss north of the border before predictably getting overwhelmed over the final two quarters.
“It’s good for us, this is a good lesson for us going up against the No. 1 team in the east on their turf,” Fizdale said after his team lost for the third time in four games and fell to 2-5 on the road. “I thought we really competed hard, but we didn’t do the thing necessary to beat a good team on the road.”
The Raptors toyed with the Knicks at times, turning it on when needed, and blew the game open by closing the third quarter on a 31-12 run to remain unbeaten at home at 7-0. While Fizdale felt his players battled, he did point out their inability to win 50-50 balls, something the Knicks will need to master to beat playoff-caliber opponents. At least in part, that led to them tying a season high with 128 points allowed, despite holding Toronto stars Kyle Lowry and Leonard to a combined 22 points.
“You don’t work on it, it’s a want — it’s a want that you have to have and [have] a desire for it,” Tim Hardaway Jr. said, referring to Fizdale’s criticism. “A lot of guys don’t really have that, and it’s not an art, it’s not a craft, it’s just an attitude. We have to embrace that and get that in our group of guys, including myself. We’re all in this together.”
Hardaway continued his recent scoring rampage, producing a game-high 27 points, and Enes Kanter added a doubledouble of 15 points and 15 rebounds off the bench. Rookie Kevin Knox, in his third game back after missing the previous seven with a sprained ankle, looked his best since returning, scoring 12 points.
The plan coming in was to limit Leonard and Lowry, which was executed. But it didn’t matter, as they combined for 10 assists and set up their teammates for open shots.
“That’s why they’re so good,” Hardaway said. “Their supporting cast can come in the game and take care of business.”