The Knicks Aren't Ready Yet

This article is going to hurt to write. As a lifelong Knicks fan, it brings me no joy to make this statement but after watching this team lose 101-109 in Game 4 to the Miami Heat to go down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals I have no choice but to make this unfortunate announcement: The New York Knicks aren’t ready for this yet.

Sometimes I hate sports media and their reliance on cliches and vibes over actual on-court analysis. These professional athletes bust their asses every single night and it feels wildly disrespectful to question any of their efforts.

It’s okay to jog back on D in January when you just flew into Orlando like, 3 hours before the game started and you’re fighting with your wife over text and your wacky brother got himself into trouble (again) and he keeps calling you for cash.

But the postseason is a different beast.

The game-to-game strategies are more detailed and focused. The referees call fouls differently. The fans in attendance are on their feet screaming at the top of their lungs from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Every decision you make on the court is going to be harshly examined under a microscope for the next 24 hours by every single person that creates NBA content.

And sometimes—and I absolutely hate what I’m about to say so I apologize in advance—but sometimes the other team simply wants it more. I know. The worst cliche in sports. That’s some lazy Stephen A. Smith bullshit. But unfortunately, it’s true.

The Knicks shot better from the field than Miami in Game 4 and lost by 8. New York had the best shooting game of the series and it didn’t matter. Every loose ball ended up in Miami’s hands. Every big clutch 3 hit the bottom of the net when it was taken by a Heat player and went ricocheting off the rim when a Knicks player shot it.

The Miami Heat have been doing this for years. They went to the Finals in 2020. They fully understand what it takes to win playoff games and they bring a confidence that the Knicks lack. It’s getting annoying and is bordering on coping to say this but I still believe the Knicks are a far more talented basketball team and it doesn’t matter because New York is being bullied out there.

We just watched this happen in the Warriors Kings first-round series. Sacramento led going into halftime of Game 7. And then all of a sudden they lost by 20 and Steph Curry dropped 50 points on their domes because Golden State understands how to win playoff games and the Kings just don’t yet.

In the regular season, you can give up 2 points on a backdoor cut and you don’t have to really defend it because there will be plenty more opportunities to get those points back. But in the playoffs, every single possession matters. There is no room for any mental lapses or free buckets.

Julius Randle has no comprehension of this. Randle will turn the ball over with a terrible pass and then stand still with his arms in the air as the Heat charge down for an easy fastbreak. The Heat are playing 3-on-1 against Jalen Brunson because the rest of this young roster is looking at Randle and no one is sprinting back because no one but Brunson understands that every single possession is crucial.

This was the most frustrating moment of the quarter for me.

One of the laziest passes I’ve seen from Randle in a very long time. Doesn’t get back on defense either.

And the audacity to throw his hands up at Brunson after. pic.twitter.com/qF9t2i2UZ8

— zach (@_zachblatter) May 9, 2023

All of your defensive rotations have to be crisp. Every rebound has to be secured. And teams that lack playoff experience aren’t capable of this. Look at what the Knicks just did to the Cavs last round. The Knicks were getting every rebound and Mitchell Robinson made Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, Evan Mobley, look like ME at the local LA Fitness looking frightened and frail.

No one on the Knicks had double-digit rebounds in Game 4. Mitchell Robinson was setting records against Cleveland and finished Game 4 with only 7 boards.

But the biggest indicator of the Knicks total lack of playoff experience is what Quentin Grimes tried to do in the 2nd quarter.

With 3 minutes left in the first half and the Knicks down 10, Coach Thibs called a timeout. Coming out of the TO, Quentin Grimes hit a huge 3 to bring the score within 7. Then Jalen Brunson got a big steal but that ended with Randle doing what he does best (a stupid fucking offensive foul).

Kevin Love bricked a 3 that Bam Adebayo rebounded only to be swatted away by Mitch Robinson so the Knicks still have all the momentum from the Grimes quick 3 out of the timeout. With that momentum, Grimes grabbed the rebound off the Mitch Robinson block and charged full speed to the basket for what should’ve been a huge quick layup to cut the score to 5 and silence the Heat crowd completely.

Unfortunately, that is not what occurred…

Jimmy Butler DENIED Quentin Grimes at the rim ❌😤pic.twitter.com/JnhXI5mwaH

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 9, 2023

Quentin Grimes cocking the ball back for a dunk from the free throw line like he was Dominique Wilkins instead of taking an easy layup is exhibit A of this Knicks team not being ready. Grimes wanted a big playoff moment for his own personal legacy. That was some selfish shit from a player who never really behaves that way. The lights were at their brightest and Grimes became a different dude out of nowhere.

The Knicks are probably going to lose a series to a roster full of guys that would be working the concession stands if Pat Riley didn’t save their lives. Unless you ask me in person in which I will scream “KNICKS IN 7” in your face.

New York needed this ass beating. I have no doubt in my mind that Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett and whoever comes in to replace Julius Randle, will be more focused and ready for the 2024 playoffs. This will never happen to this team again.

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