With Rose in Attendance, Knicks Still Embarrass Themselves, Lose 98–97 in Philly
Rose returns, Porzingis quiet in duel with Embiid, the Knicks lose on another buzzer-beater
After taking a quick detour to Chicago, Derrick Rose actually showed up at the Knicks game tonight…things are really looking up in Knicks-land (no they’re not)! Rose and Anthony were (offensively) present in Philadelphia, but the rest of the Knicks roster seemingly wasn’t, as they fell asleep in the fourth quarter to a below-average 13th seed 76ers.
In an eerily similar scenario to the Milwaukee game a week ago, the Knicks dropped back into prevent offense, Kristaps Porzingis whiffed on a WIDE-OPEN three, thus allowing Philly to break in transition and ultimately set up a TJ McConnell, of all people, buzzer beater. Fan-tastic.
Here’s a quick, sad recap of yet another Knicks loss:
Battle of the future was a fluke
Kristaps vs. Embiid definitely didn’t turn out as expected. KP’s most notable play of the night wasn’t a good one; he airmailed a wide open corner three to jump-start the 76ers game-winning fast break. He was completely overshadowed by Embiid in every aspect, finishing with seven points on 3-of-10 (1-for-6 from three) shooting, failing to attempt a single free-throw. Maybe the best positive play we say from Kristaps was this flat-footed block on Embiid, but other than that, a very yeeeeeeeesh night from Kristaps.
Good Melo, Bad Melo
I was shocked to see ‘Melo finished with 28 points, but then I saw he took 25 shots. He had an atrocious no-hustle play in the third quarter where he thought he was fouled and then chose not to get back on defense while his assignment was left wide open for a three pointer in transition. His lack of defense ultimately costed the Knicks on the final play of the game, where he let TJ MCCONNELL put him in the spin zone and nail the game-winning shot. This guy is going to blow a gasket this season.
Oh Bench, Where Art Thou?
Rose, ‘Melo and O’Quinn were the only Knicks to score in double digits. O’Quinn carried the bench with 10 points and 15 rebounds, but it was a pretty lackluster scoring effort from everyone else. Brandon Jennings hit a three late in the third quarter, but Kuz, Thomas and Hernangómez all put up goose eggs.
Justin Holiday somehow finished with team-high +17 with four points, but it was a very forgettable night for the Knicks’ bench unit.
Yet another devastating loss surely can’t be good for the Knicks’ already tumultuous morale. ‘Melo seems to grow more and more frustrated everyday. Rose’s behavior and recent decision won’t be something to easily forget. Porzingis continues to struggle in his sophomore campaign. Not a whole lot going right for the Knicks right now, you’ve gotta wonder if there’s a point where everything completely boils over and they implode.
— Brendan Duball, senior writer
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