National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Players Who Stepped Up Against Detroit Pistons

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:22 a.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Knicks continued to struggle on the road with a 102-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Which players stepped up despite the disappointing result?

Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Kyle O’Quinn (9) high fives guard Brandon Jennings (3) and center Joakim Noah (13) during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

After enjoying some home cooking on Sunday, October 30, the New York Knicks went back on the road on Tuesday, November 1. After losing 117-88 to the Cleveland Cavaliers in its previous road game, New York needed to perform better in Detroit.

Though the offense was tremendous through three quarters and the defense followed suit in the fourth, New York fell 102-89 to the Detroit Pistons.

The Knicks entered this game at 1-1 after getting blown out by the Cavaliers and defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 111-104. Neither result will define the season, but both offered a glimpse at the full spectrum of Knicks basketball.

With 10 new players, three new starters, a new sixth man, and a new head coach, the Knicks are certainly prone to early struggles.

Against the Pistons, the Knicks had moments of intriguing success and disconcerting strife. Through it all, a number of players managed to step up and provide the Knicks with high-quality performances in the third game of the season

The question is: which players stepped up for the New York Knicks during the 102-89 loss to the Detroit Pistons?

Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) before the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony

The New York Knicks have a number of quality offensive players, but the system still depends on the success of Carmelo Anthony. Anthony, who ranks No. 29 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, is the Knicks’ go-to player when a bucket is needed.

During the road game against the Detroit Pistons, Anthony’s offense was one of the Knicks’ primary strengths.

Anthony went cold in the fourth quarter, but he still managed to score a team-high 24 points. He shot 8-of-18 from the field, 2-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe in 35 minutes of action.

Anthony was also active on the defensive end of the floor, recording four steals—a mark that would normally imply that he had a great defensive game.

Having established this, Anthony was unable to contain his assignment: Marcus Morris. Morris went off for 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, breaking down Anthony’s rather overzealous defense on a consistent basis.

Nevertheless, it was encouraging to see Anthony find his shot after he struggled to do so against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons guard Beno Udrih (19) defends during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Jennings

The New York Knicks signed Brandon Jennings to a one-year deal worth $5 million. Though that may imply there’s an absence of faith in his abilities, Jennings has actually been challenged to win Sixth Man of the Year.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but Jennings began to show signs of why Phil Jackson believes in him through his performance against the Detroit Pistons.

Jennings finished with 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds in 26 minutes of action. He shot 5-of-10 from the field and hit a pair of 3-point field goals in what was his first efficient scoring performance as a member of the Knicks.

The Knicks may have lost, but seeing Jennings drive the lane and space the floor with efficiency was nothing short of refreshing.

Jennings was brought to New York in an attempt to land a sixth man who could anchor the second unit. After rupturing his left achilles tendon in January of 2015, he returned to play 48 games in 2015-16, but never seemed to get it going offensively.

This performance against his former team could be what Jennings needed in order to get back on the right track.

Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) defends during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Joakim Noah

New York Knicks starting center Joakim Noah is the perfect example of a player who doesn’t need to score in order to make an impact. He’s a dominant rebounder, an outstanding facilitator, and an influential defensive player who can take over in an unorthodox manner.

Though the Knicks’ defense wasn’t much of a factor against the Detroit Pistons, Noah managed to make his mark in the other areas.

Noah finished with just two points in 30 minutes, yet he still managed to flirt with a double-double. He finished with 12 rebounds, five offensive boards, eight assists, and two blocks in yet another well-rounded effort.

This marks the second consecutive game during which Noah has recorded at least 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Noah is one of the best rebounders in the NBA, but his effort against Detroit was especially impressive considering it was against Andre Drummond. He’s also one of the best passing big men in the NBA, which was confirmed during this performance.

Noah had five of the Knicks’ eight offensive rebounds and eight of their 18 assists during what should have been a win.

Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) drives to the basket as Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) and guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) defend during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis

The first half was ugly for Kristaps Porzingis, but there’s a reason that four quarters are played. Porzingis took over in the third quarter of the 13-point loss, temporarily saving the Knicks from what was shaping up to be a blowout loss.

It was far from the best performance of Porzingis’ young career, but he continues to become more confident with the ball in his hands.

Porzingis scored 12 of his 18 points during the third quarter of the Knicks’ 102-89 loss. It was one of the reasons for optimism during the second half, as Porzingis kept New York afloat as the rest of its offense went cold.

Porzingis couldn’t save the Knicks during the fourth quarter, but it was easy to be enamored with his performance in Detroit.

Porzingis overcame a slow start by fighting through his struggles and playing with a sense of urgency that his teammates lacked in the second half. He trusted his teammates, worked without the ball, and even went to the post for a gorgeous turnaround J.

Porzingis is averaging 18.3 points per game after three appearances, which offers reason to approve of the trajectory of the 2016-17 season.

Nov 1, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) goes to the basket against Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) and guard Ish Smith (14) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Rose

For all of the talk about his depleted athleticism, Derrick Rose remains one of the fastest players in NBA history. His ability to get from a stand-still to the basket has been the catalyst for the New York Knicks’ offense over the past three games.

Rose built upon his intriguing start to the season by erupting during the opening quarter and providing the Knicks with an impact it’s long been yearning for from a point guard.

Rose finished with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and his third block of the season in 31 minutes of action. He shot 8-of-17 from the field and converted all three of his attempts from the free throw line.

Though it’s easy to say Rose should’ve passed more, he had the best +/- of any Knicks player who saw at least 25 minutes of court time.

In the long-term, Rose will need to be a more willing passer in order to help the Knicks’ offense flow. He did an outstanding job of attacking the basket against Detroit, however, and appears to be as fast as he was before the injuries.

Rose may have flaws that he needs to improve upon, but he can still get to the rack and finish as well as any point guard in the NBA.

That’s something of a silver lining around a loss that should’ve been a win.