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New York Knicks: Players Who Stepped Up Against The Toronto Raptors

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:09 p.m. ET

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The New York Knicks fell short of achieving victory, but saw a number of individuals step up during a 118-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Nov 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) defends during the third quarter in a game Knicks at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 118-107. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Friday, November 11 was one of the most forgettable days in recent New York Knicks history. Carmelo Anthony was ejected after accumulating two questionable technical fouls and the rest of the roster was exposed for its early lack of chemistry.

One day after losing 115-87 to the Boston Celtics, the Knicks showed signs of progress during a 118-107 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

Regardless of the result, the Knicks needed to come back with a superior level of energy and passion. There was an undeniable absence of it a game prior, and one could even say the same about the victory over the Brooklyn Nets on November 9.

Behind the efforts of a select few players, the Knicks provided fans with an effort that was much easier to respect.

There were reasons to be upset; New York’s offense didn’t flow, its starters committed silly fouls, and the defense was forced to resort to a zone. There were a number of players who stepped up, however, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Matched up against the three-time defending division champions, the Knicks proved to have the upside of a contender in the Atlantic. These players helped establish that.

Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against the Houston Rockets during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony was ejected from Friday’s 115-87 loss to the Boston Celtics after picking up two technical fouls in just 12 minutes. It was a questionable showing by referee Tony Brothers, but it was also motivation for Anthony to bounce back strong the following evening.

A rested Anthony did just that against the Toronto Raptors as he capitalized on the absence of DeMarre Carroll, who was sidelined for rest.

Anthony finished with 31 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 38 minutes of high-quality and high-energy play. He shot 10-of-21 from the field, 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 8-of-9 from the free throw line.

Anthony recorded a +/- of -4 and helped pace the Knicks through a game that featured a significantly better effort than what was displayed against Boston.

Anthony took over in the first half, which is something that the Knicks may need him to do more often. He doesn’t need to score 20 points in a half in order for New York to win, but he will be required to heat up when the offense stalls.

Anthony appears to be shooting with confidence and attacking with aggressiveness, which are two vital traits for his game.

Nov 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) shoots the ball between Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) and Raptors forward Terrence Ross (31) during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Joakim Noah

If you’re looking for Joakim Noah to dominate games as a scorer, then you need to temper your expectations. It’d be ideal for him to maintain an efficient field goal percentage, but his impact will be felt in virtually every other phase of the game.

Matched up against rising star Jonas Valanciunas and the Toronto Raptors, Noah proved that he can still be effective in his dynamic role.

Noah finished with four points, 18 rebounds, eight offensive rebounds, one assist, and two steals in 33 minutes of court time. He struggled with his shot, going just 2-of-9 from the field and 0-of-2 from the free throw line.

Though a more efficient showing may have helped, Noah’s impact on the boards helped keep the Knicks within arm’s reach during tough stretches.

Noah has ranked amongst the league’s elite offensive rebounders since entering the league in 2007. He continues to be a powerful presence on the offensive glass in 2016-17, which is a relief for a Knicks team that needs second chances.

The Knicks won’t get many explosive scoring nights from Noah this season, but he’s still a dominant rebounding force.

Nov 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn (9) shoots the ball in front of Toronto Raptors center Lucas Nogueira (92) during the second quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle O’Quinn

Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks signed Kyle O’Quinn to a four-year deal during the summer of 2015. It was a sign that New York viewed O’Quinn as more than just an end-of-the-rotation player who can help the locker room.

O’Quinn remains relatively inconsistent, but he’s beginning to show signs of what convinced Jackson to take a leap of faith.

O’Quinn finished with 10 points, four rebounds, two offensive boards, one assist, and a block in 14 minutes of quality play off the bench. He did so on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and accumulated a +/- of +8 for a bench that’s struggled in 2016-17.

If O’Quinn can provide the Knicks with more performances like this, then the second unit could potentially find its rhythm.

O’Quinn is an excellent high-post passer who can convert from midrange and attack the offensive glass. He’s still finding himself as a defender, but with a near 7’5″ wingspan, O’Quinn has the physical gifts to be a shot-blocker.

At the very least, it’s encouraging to see O’Quinn beginning to figure out his role and find his rhythm offensively.

Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek coaches against the Brooklyn Nets as New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) waits to check into the game during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis needs to stop committing unnecessary fouls if the New York Knicks are going to win games in 2016-17. He’s playing with a passion, but that passion needs to be put forward with more control and patience.

True as that all may be, it’d be silly to ignore the fact that Porzingis was outstanding on the offensive end of the floor against the Toronto Raptors.

Though he started slowly, Porzingis went off in the second half and finished with 21 points, four rebounds, one offensive rebound, and two assists. He shot an efficient 9-of-16 from the field and went 2-of-8 from beyond the arc and 1-of-1 at the free throw line.

Porzingis’ scoring in the third and fourth quarters was instrumental to the Knicks maintaining the pace with the Raptors.

The game didn’t end as one would’ve hoped, but Porzingis stepped up during the big moments of the second half. It was encouraging progress from a player who’s an avoidance of foul trouble away from averaging upwards of 20 points per game.

Here’s hoping Porzingis can soon avoid foul trouble and provide a more consistent impact as a rebounder.

Nov 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43) and Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) try to defend during the first quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Rose

In contrast to what was expected of him, Derrick Rose has done more to help the New York Knicks than hurt them early in 2016-17. His ability to consistently create penetration has been a breath of fresh air for the Knicks.

Though Jose Calderon did many things well offensively, Rose’s ability to drive the lane when the offense stalls is a game-changer.

Against the Toronto Raptors, Rose finished with 21 points, four rebounds, four offensive boards, and four assists in 38 minutes. He shot 10-of-20 from the field and posted a +/- of an even zero for a Knicks squad that needed a slasher.

Though Rose wasn’t as proficient as a passer as he’d been in recent games, his scoring ability was a positive factor for New York.

Rose is still a work in progress as far as filling his role within Jeff Hornacek’s offense is concerned. He’s been one of the more reliable players for the Knicks in 2016-17, however, and his performance was helpful against New York.

Rose needs to do a better job of keeping the ball in motion, but his play in the fourth quarter has been tremendous in 2016-17.

If the Knicks can turn these individual performances into improved team play, then victories will come far easier.

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