National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: It Was Only The Preseason Opener

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:29 p.m. ET

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The New York Knicks lost by a count of 130-103 to the Houston Rockets in the preseason opener. The final two words of that sentence are what matter.

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) celebrates with forward Carmelo Anthony (7) after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 130-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks have built a team with more fresh faces than returning names. There are six returning players from the 2015-16 rotation, which means the other nine members of the main roster will be spending their first season with the Knicks.

That doesn’t include head coach Jeff Hornacek, who’s entering his first season in New York, as well.

Thus, it isn’t entirely surprising that the Knicks struggled during their preseason opener. A 130-103 loss is never easy to stomach, but it’s hardly a result to be concerned about in the long-term.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, even the debatably jaded Phil Jackson is impressed with what he’s seen during training camp.

That’s going to be the key for the Knicks in 2016-17.

New York lost 130-103 to the Houston Rockets in the season opener, but that isn’t a reason to be pessimistic. The manner in which the Knicks lost is far closer to unlikely to continue than it is to becoming a trend.

For that very reason, it’s time to temper the concerns and turn those thoughts into constructive criticism.

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the New York Knicks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Unspeakably High Production

The New York Knicks may not be an elite defensive team in 2016-17, but it’s hard to imagine it being as poor as it appeared against the Houston Rockets. New York didn’t just let up 130 points; it gave up 60 from distance alone.

During the 130-103 blowout, Houston shot 20-of-42 on 3-point field goals, giving it 60 points on 47.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

For perspective, the Golden State Warriors converted an NBA record 13.1 3-point field goals per game in 2015-16. The Sacramento Kings ranked dead last in the NBA with an average of 10.2 3-point field goals made per game.

In other words, the likelihood of New York allowing 20 3-point field goals made per game is closer to impossible than plausible.

In the aftermath of the loss to Houston, all the Knicks were talking about was defense. From the players to the coaches, the topic of conversation was improving on that end of the floor.

Starting point guard Derrick Rose said as much during his post-game interview.

Here’s the thing: the Knicks’ defense should improve by merely adding one player who wasn’t active against the Rockets.

Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) sits on the bench during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Joakim Noah Didn’t Play

The Houston Rockets torched the New York Knicks for 130 points. Much of that was created from the perimeter—46.2 percent of Houston’s points were scored on 3-point field goals—but that doesn’t make the absence of the starting center any less significant.

Joakim Noah is more than just the interior anchor and rim protector for the Knicks; he’s the heart and soul of the defense.

Noah won the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year award because of three critical strengths: rebounding, tenacity, and leadership. He dominates the boards, never quits on a play, and holds his teammates accountable.

When Noah is on the floor, every one of his teammates knows to raise their overall level of defensive intensity if they don’t want an earful.

With head coach Jeff Hornacek, the Knicks have even more impetus to elevate their intensity and focus on defense. Noah is the vocal leader on that end, but Hornacek has no qualms about benching a productive player who doesn’t try hard enough on defense.

Allowing 130 points isn’t a fun routine, but Noah’s mere presence on the court will change the culture. See: Noah in Chicago, Tyson Chandler in New York, and Kevin Garnett in Boston.

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York City FC defender Ethan White (3) dribbles the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston’s Experience vs. New York’s Inexperience

The Houston Rockets and New York Knicks both have rosters that have undergone extreme makeovers. Houston made swooping changes in free agency, much as the Knicks did during the summer of 2016.

True as that all may be, it’s vital to note that this was Houston’s second game of the 2016 NBA preseason.

Houston played the Shanghai Sharks in their 2016 NBA preseason opener. Thus, while New York was coming together for the first time, Houston already had a game under its belt to put what they’d been practicing into motion.

A 27-point loss is difficult to process, yes, but the Knicks were expected to struggle in their first game together.

New York has three new starters, and one of them wasn’t even active for the Houston game. It also has a new bench, with Kyle O’Quinn—who started in Joakim Noah’s absence—Lance Thomas and Sasha Vujacic being the only returning reserves who played more than 10 minutes.

The result may not have been ideal, but the first competitive game of the season is far from enough for a final determination.

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony is a nine-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA honoree who currently ranks No. 29 on the all-time scoring list. He’s averaged at least 20 points per game in every one of his 13 seasons in the NBA.

Thus, it’s hard to be too worried about the Knicks when the primary source of offense had such a rare off night.

Anthony finished with 10 points in 22 minutes on 4-of-13 shooting from the field against the Houston Rockets. He’s prone to the occasional poor performance, but Anthony has been productive and rather efficient throughout his career.

For perspective, Anthony has scored 10 or fewer points a combined three times over the past three seasons.

Anthony is good for his 20 points per game, which is reason to believe the Knicks won’t be losing like this very often. Anthony is known to play up to the level of both his competition and the quality of his team.

Anthony may be in the midst of a postseason drought, but he led his respective teams to the playoffs in each of his first 10 NBA seasons. Don’t forget that.

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) controls the ball as Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Rose & Kristaps Porzingis

The New York Knicks know what to expect from Carmelo Anthony. He’s never once averaged less than 20 points per game, and with 13 seasons and a 2016 Olympic gold medal under his belt, that makes it a safe bet that he’ll again exceed said mark in 2016-17.

That’s exactly why the preseason opener was more encouraging than discouraging: his primary sources of offensive aid were exceptional.

Kristaps Porzingis led the scoring charge with 22 points, four rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in 27 minutes. He shot 8-of-11 from the field, went 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, and made his only free throw attempt.

That includes the downright filthy move he put on Clint Capela, when he hit him with a pair of pump fakes, a crossover dribble, and a step-back into a perfect jumper.

There’s no defending that.

For as brilliant as Porzingis was, easily the most encouraging sign for the Knicks was how explosive Derrick Rose looked. He wasn’t dunking on players, but his end-to-end speed and agility in the half court were as awe-inspiring as they’ve ever been.

Rose finished with 16 points, five assists, two rebounds, and one block on 7-of-14 shooting in 25 impressive minutes.

If Porzingis and Rose weren’t flukes—and history says they weren’t—then Anthony’s resurgence and Joakim Noah’s return should make everything right in New York.

That’s as safe a bet as you’ll find in New York City.

Fear not, Knicks fans; the preseason opener was just one meaningless game.

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