New York Knicks: Who Stepped Up Against The Miami Heat?
The New York Knicks began the most grueling road stretch of the season thus far on Tuesday, December 6. Who stepped up against the Miami Heat?
Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball over Miami Heat guard Rodney McGruder (17) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The New York Knicks defeat the Miami Heat 114-103. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Knicks have entered a stretch of six road games in seven outings. That grueling series of games began on Tuesday, December 6 when the Knicks took the road to face the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena.
With a chance to build momentum for the upcoming five-game road trip, the Knicks secured a 114-103 victory over their bitter rivals.
The Knicks and Heat had one of the most storied rivalries in NBA history during the 1990s. New York and Miami clashed during the playoffs in four consecutive seasons between 1997 and 2000, with two seven-game series going to Game 7 and two five-game series going to Game 5.
The Knicks lost Game 7 to the Heat in 1997, but proceeded to win three consecutive postseason series over Miami from thereon out.
Unfortunately, the Knicks lost the most recent postseason series against the Heat by a count of 4-1 in 2012. The upside is that New York appears to have the higher trajectory than Miami in 2016-17, as evidenced by this 114-103 win.
The question is: who stepped up to ensure the New York Knicks would improve to 12-9 through 21 games?
Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) dunks the ball against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The New York Knicks defeat the Miami Heat 114-103. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Carmelo Anthony
Carmelo Anthony began the clash with the Miami Heat by shooting 2-of-9 from the field. That could have set the table for a poor shooting night by the New York Knicks’ go-to scorer, but Anthony responded wonderfully.
Matched up against players who shouldn’t be able to lock him down, Anthony recognized the opportunity at hand and took advantage of it.
Anthony overcame his slow start to go off for 35 points, four rebounds, one offensive rebound, two assists, and one block in 36 minutes. He shot 13-of-27 from the field overall and went 11-of-18 following his 2-of-9 start.
Anthony also went 3-of-9 from beyond the arc and 6-of-7 from the free throw line in a dominant performance that was reflected by his +/- of +25.
Anthony is the Knicks’ go-to scorer and one of the league’s best small forwards. He’s been searching for his shot in recent games, but he found it in a major and crucial way during New York’s meeting with the rival Heat.
It was a tough string of games for Anthony, but he responded on the road and went off for an explosive scoring night that New York desperately needed.
Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) controls the ball around New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings (3) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Jennings
The New York Knicks suffered a setback when Derrick Rose left with six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Rose, the starting point guard, was unable to return due to back spasms, which thrust Brandon Jennings into the spotlight.
As he’s often done in 2016-17, Jennings stepped up and went off during the fourth quarter, recording a 3-point field goal and six assists in the final period alone.
Jennings finished the 114-103 victory with nine assists in 24 minutes of action. He scored just six points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field, but he hit a massive 3-point field goal to help the Knicks pull away late in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Jeff Hornacek is still pleading with Jennings to shoot when he’s open—see: passing up uncontested layups—but he’s been exceptional as a facilitator.
Jennings has been one of the Knicks’ most valuable players after 21 games. The numbers may not always reflect his impact, but statistical proof of his value can be found in his going from scoring 19 points during the win over the Sacramento Kings to dishing out nine assists against Miami.
Jennings single-handedly brings energy to the Knicks and has been the best facilitator on a team that needs a player who can set the table on offense.
Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Joakim Noah
The New York Knicks need better production and efficiency from starting center Joakim Noah. That’s become one of the hottest topics on the New York sports scene, as Noah signed a four-year deal worth $72 million and hasn’t played up to the contract’s worth.
Against the Miami Heat, Noah came out with a passion and recorded a double-double in less than 15 minutes of action.
Noah went toe-to-toe with Hassan Whiteside and recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds, seven offensive boards, and two assists in just 14 minutes. He shot 5-of-6 from the field and was the driving force behind the Knicks’ success when Anthony was struggling.
Noah needs to avoid petty fouls, but when he was on the court against Miami, he bordered on dominance in his own unique way.
Noah needed a performance like this to restore the confidence he has in his ability to provide a quality impact. He needs to do this on a more consistent basis, but giving New York 10 points and 10 rebounds would’ve been great in 30 minutes, let alone 14.
If the Knicks can get more performances like this from Noah, they can border on contending status during the 2016-17 season.
Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks center Kyle O’Quinn (9) reacts after dunking in the game against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The New York Knicks defeat the Miami Heat 114-103. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle O’Quinn
For quite some time, New York Knicks fans blasted Phil Jackson for signing Kyle O’Quinn to a four-year contract. During the 2016-17 NBA regular season, however, O’Quinn has redeemed himself and made Jackson look brilliant.
For the fourth consecutive game, O’Quinn stepped up and stood out as one of the most important contributors to the Knicks’ victory.
O’Quinn finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, five offensive boards, three assists, two blocks, and a steal in 27 minutes. He shot 6-of-8 from the field and made a number of clutch plays as a scorer, facilitator, and defender.
With Joakim Noah in foul trouble, O’Quinn stepped up and continued what’s been the best stretch of his NBA career.
O’Quinn’s energy has translated from the offensive glass to the defensive end of the floor—the missing piece to his otherwise assembling puzzle. He’s an outstanding passer—see: multiple alley-oop passes to Carmelo Anthony—with a quality midrange game, but his defense has long been lackluster.
With his defensive tenacity now matching his offensive versatility, the 6’10” big man with a 7’5″ wingspan is realizing his immense potential.
Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) fight for control of the ball during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Kristaps Porzingis
The New York Knicks have already established that Kristaps Porzingis can take over as a scorer. What’s yet to be determined, however, is whether or not the 7’3″ Porzingis will show up as a rebounder on a nightly basis.
Porzingis has addressed that issue head-on by recording back-to-back double-doubles with strong efforts on the glass.
.@kporzee there for the the putback! 12-12 at the 4:34 mark in Miami. #NYKvsMIA pic.twitter.com/1sxuQZQQLm
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 7, 2016
Porzingis recorded 14 points, 12 rebounds, two offensive boards, and a block in 30 minutes for his second consecutive double-double. He shot 6-of-15 from the field, 0-of-4 from 3-point range, and 2-of-4 from the free throw line, but this was about more than inefficient shooting marks.
Porzingis was aggressive on the boards and proved that he can help control the pace of the game when his shot isn’t going down.
Porzingis has as many double-doubles over the past two games, two, as he had over the previous 19. That’s a testament to just how far he’s come in terms of rebounding with energy and embracing physicality.
Porzingis continues to do incredible things on the offensive end of the floor, but it’s his increase in production as a rebounder that helped New York win in Miami.
Dec 6, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) shoots the ball over Miami Heat forward Derrick Williams (22) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Lance Thomas
The New York Knicks have played 10 of the first 21 regular season games without backup forward Lance Thomas. That was a devastating blow to a team that was attempting to build a second unit to ideally complement the starting lineup.
For the second consecutive outing, a healthy Thomas stepped up with a strong performance that propelled the Knicks to victory.
Thomas finished with 11 points and three rebounds in 21 invaluable minutes of court time. He shot a nearly perfect 5-of-6 from the field and made his only 3-point field goal attempt during what was a truly clutch performance.
Thomas scored six of his 11 points in the fourth quarter and gave the Knicks the necessary spark to close out the win over Miami.
With a healthy and productive Thomas, the Knicks have additional options on both ends of the floor. He can shoot the 3-ball and stroke it from midrange, and is positionally versatile on the defensive end of the floor.
If Thomas can continue to excel as a 3-and-D contributor and midrange scorer, the Knicks can build the bench that Phil Jackson envisioned.
The Knicks will play five of the next six games on the road, but 12-9 is a nice place to be entering that grueling stretch.
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