A debacle in the Garden: Here Are 4 Notables From The Knicks & Pistons Game!

Josh Hart was not the only thing that should have been ejected last night at the Knicks & Pistons debacle. The Knick's 'entire staff and record label' had to go, too. This was the worst loss of the season, and That first rank offense disappeared, hopefully for one night only. Now, before you use the Towns excuse or say the Pistons are better this year, the Knicks were 29-5 against sub-500 teams last year, and many of those wins came from a Knicks team missing three to 4 starters at a time. Not to mention, this loss pushes our losses to sub-500 teams to 4! I know it's one game, but this game was a game we would have won last year!

Here are my four-game notables:

1. Too many minutes, I think, was the culprit for Missed Free throws:

To all the Knicks fans, that rave minutes aren't an issue; please give me another explanation behind the ineptitude from the line! Even a blind man could see a problem because the #1 free-throw team goes below 600 at home against a mid-team amid a four-game winning streak and a six-game streak in the Garden. Lastly, is it a coincidence that Mikal Bridges, the player who averages the most minutes, is the worst shooter in the starting lineup while shooting a whopping 64% on the free-throw line?

 2. Our defense is beyond suspect.

Even though our defense rating improved to 17th heading into the game, Our defense was terrible except for that stretch in the third quarter where we cut the lead to 4 and the great OG Anunoby. They have the nerve to say that Karl Anthony Towns is soft, but last night's defense was an example of Charmin tissue quality. Don't get me started on the pick-and-rolls that Detroit was running, and the Knicks needed help figuring out what to do as the offensive player came off the screen. Kay Cunningham looked like a pick-and-roll dream. Even if they would blitz him, it was as if that's what he wanted because he would always find an open man hitting a three. He had a career-high 15 assists against this nick perimeter defense that was anticipated to be one of the tops in the league. There needs to be more chemistry on the defensive end, and people need to know where their man is, especially after switching off the ball screens and traditional pick-and-roll action.

3. The Ariel Hukporti and Jalen Brunson pick and roll have potential.

As much as I salute Jericho Sims' and appreciate his efforts to improve his game, an almost zero-for-zero effort ultimately damages his case! Ariel belongs on the floor. The one glaring bright spot was pick and roll attack with Ariel and Brunson. He managed to get a couple of dunks and nice buckets in that two-man action with the captain. If you don't make the switch, playing Ariel, the bulk of the minutes only continue to show that he deserves to be in the rotation as the backup five until Mitch inevitably gets back.

4. It is still a work in progress:

As much as I ranted and raved on my new show, "The Knicks call-up," that the Knicks are ready and are hitting their stride, It appears that I was wrong, and the Knicks do need more time. There's no rush when building a solid foundation; you can't use cheat codes and cut corners.  Last year, we were 29 and five against teams sub-500, and we have completely dropped the ball against these teams this year by already earning four disappointing losses to losing teams. If this trend continues, there will be a considerable drop from where we were last year. Also, what may be evident is that this team is definitely not last year's team. Take from that what you may.