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New York Knicks: Players Who Stood Out Against Cleveland Cavaliers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:44 p.m. ET

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The New York Knicks opened the 2016-17 NBA regular season on Tuesday, October 25 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Which players stepped up?

Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) fight for position with with New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) in the first half at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks have completed the unenviable task of opening the 2016-17 regular season at the defending NBA champions. It was an emotional night for the Cleveland Cavaliers, which accepted championship rings for the first time in franchise history.

Though New York may have lost 117-88, a brief number of Knicks players offered reason to be optimistic about the immediate future of the organization.

The Knicks encountered three of the most high-profile players in the NBA: Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and Kevin Love. James is a four-time NBA MVP with enough hype to win a fifth, Love is an All-NBA honoree, and Irving was the NBA Finals hero in 2016.

That list doesn’t include rebounding machine Tristan Thompson or 2013 Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith.

Matched up against one of the most prolific groups in the NBA, a number of Knicks players stepped up with noteworthy performances. It was an encouraging start to the season for said contributors, thus implying that the 2016-17 season could be rewarding for Knicks fans.

The question is: which players stepped up during the Knicks’ 2016-17 regular season opener against the Cavaliers?

Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) steals the ball from Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) in the second half at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 117-88. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony

New York Knicks franchise player Carmelo Anthony started the season opener at a torrid pace. He made five of seven field goal attempts during the first quarter, sinking a number of long jumpers to keep the Knicks alive against a red-hot Cavaliers team.

Anthony’s hot start is an intriguing sign that the 2016-17 NBA regular season could be the bounce-back year that many are hoping Anthony will put forth.

Anthony finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one 3-point field goal made in 30 minutes. He shot 8-of-18 from the field, 1-of-4 from 3-point range, and 2-of-2 from the free throw line.

It was a vintage performance from Anthony, who showed the flashes of the dominant scoring proficiency that’s been missing the past two years.

Anthony was aggressive as both a scorer and facilitator, which is the necessary mindset for him to play with. He must display a sense of urgency from start to finish in 2016-17 if the Knicks are to stand a chance at making noise in the Eastern Conference.

It may have only been the season opener, but Anthony looked the part of a resurgent star against James and the Cavaliers.

Oct 8, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks guard Justin Holiday (8) during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Holiday

Justin Holiday started the 2016 NBA preseason in an underwhelming manner, but rebounded quite well. He scored in double figures in each of the final three preseason games, also displaying upside as a facilitator and defender.

Against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Holiday was one of the few bench players who stepped up for the top-heavy New York Knicks.

The Knicks acquired Holiday in the Derrick Rose trade, but not many put stock into his upside or potential contributions. He’s played quite well as of late, however, displaying a well-rounded skill set that ranges beyond his 3-and-D reputation.

Holiday is certainly capable of spacing the floor, but he’s also dangerous in the sense that he can take his man off the bounce and distribute as a facilitator.

Holiday finished the Cavaliers game with eight points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal, and two 3-point field goals made in 26 minutes. He didn’t shoot especially well, but Holiday played at a high enough level to warrant optimism beyond the stat sheet.

The Knicks’ second unit is in desperate need of players who can provide consistent contributions, and Holiday was the only reserve who provided them in the season opener.

Mindaugas Kuzminskas

The minutes may not have been of much significance, but Mindaugas Kuzminskas performed well in his limited playing time. Following an excellent showing at the 2016 Summer Olympics and in the NBA preseason, Kuzminskas continued to play well in the season opener.

The opportunities were scarce, but the production and overall offensive versatility created reason to be overtly optimistic about the New York Knicks’ future.

The testament to Kuzminskas’ versatility is the fact that he drove the lane for a floater and hit a 3-point field goal. Standing at roughly 6’10”, Kuzminskas has a tantalizing combination of size and touch that few others possess.

Even the jaded announcing team responded with a call of, “This kid is good,” to echo the sentiments of Knicks nation.

Kuzminskas played just nine minutes, but he still managed to record seven points and a rebound on 3-of-5 shooting from the field. After averaging 24.3 points per 36 minutes during the preseason, Kuzminskas is at 28.0 after the season opener.

With more performances like this, it’d be difficult for head coach Jeff Hornacek to keep him low on the depth chart.

Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after a play during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis didn’t have the most efficient scoring performance of his career, but he played quite well. He defended the rim, crashed the boards, and shot the 3-ball with a level of skill and versatility that few players 7’0″ or taller have ever been able to.

Porzingis even shot off-balance, with his feet set, and off of a step-back, thus displaying his uncanny ability to score in any number of ways.

Porzingis finished the New York Knicks’ battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers with 16 points, seven rebounds, four offensive boards, two blocks, and a steal in 33 minutes. He converted five of his 13 field goal attempts while shooting 3-of-5 from distance.

It was far from Porzingis’ best performance, but once he found his groove, he flashed a full array of moves and abilities that project to make him special.

Porzingis’ ability to shoot the 3-ball, crash the offensive glass, run the floor, and block shots will define his season. He’s an intimidating presence in the paint and a player who must always be accounted for as a shooter.

Porzingis is a physical anomaly and a skilled big man who defies precedent or explanation. He’s in control of his own destiny.

Oct 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) looks to pass in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland won 117-88. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Rose

The New York Knicks will need starting point guard Derrick Rose to deliver on a nightly basis. He may not always go off as a scorer, but he must find a way to make a positive impact, whether statistically or otherwise.

During the regular season opener, Rose proved that he’s still one of the more lethal slashers in the NBA today.

Rose finished this star-studded battle with 17 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one block in 30 minutes. He did so on 7-of-17 shooting from the field, 1-of-2 from 3-point range, and 2-of-2 at the charity stripe.

It was concerning that Rose had one assist to four turnovers, but it was more significant that he moved with fluid athleticism.

Rose had the look of a one-man fast break, at times, using his still elite speed to blow by the Cavaliers’ athletic transition defense. In the half court, he displayed his creativity as a slasher and finisher.

Whether it was a flashy finish at the rim or a hard run to the rack with a powerful layup, Rose showed the form that few believed he was still capable of displaying.

There weren’t many reasons to be happy about the game against Cleveland, but these players provided necessary reasons for optimism.

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