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Knicks vs Warriors pregame notes

The Warriors visit the Knicks tonight, 7:30 p.m. ET. Game televised on MSG and NBATV.

PREGAME NOTES

The Knicks enter this game with a 1-4 record. They beat the lowly Hawks in their October 17 season opener, then lost to the Nets, Celtics, Bucks and Heat. The team’s leading scorer has been Tim Hardaway Jr. (24.4 points, 41.6% FG), followed by Enes Kanter (16.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 57.4% FG), Damyean Dotson (14.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 48.6% FG), Trey Burke (11.2 ppg, 5.0 apg, 38.7% FG), Mario Hezonja (10.0 ppg, 37.7% FG), Kevin Knox (9.3 ppg, 35.5% FG), Allonzo Trier (9.2 ppg, 37.8% FG), Noah Vonleh (7.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg in just 17.0 minutes per game) and Frank Ntilikina (6.6 ppg, 36.1% FG).

The Warriors enter tonight’s game 4-1, beating the Thunder and Jazz, then losing by two points to the Nuggets, then beating the Suns by 20 and the Wizards by 22. They’ve been led in scoring so far this season by Stephen Curry (34.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 6.8 apg, 55.0% FG, 52.4% 3FG), followed by Kevin Durant (27.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 6.0 apg, 52% FG, 25.0% 3FG), Klay Thompson (15.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 39.5% FG, 14.8% 3FG), Damian Jones (8.4 ppg, 85.7% FG), Shaun Livingston (7.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 60.0% FG), Jonas Jerebko (6.6 ppg, 50% FG), Kevon Looney 6.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 61.9% FG) and Draymond Green (6.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 7.0 apg, 37.9% FG)

A FEW THINGS TO WATCH

The Warriors have to expect that Klay Thompson will find his shot sometime soon. And that Draymond Green will pick things up a bit in that department as well. Also, the Golden State center rotation is always worth watching… The Warriors offense is close to the top of the league, but their defensive efficiency hasn’t been impressive just yet.

Playing without Kristaps Porzingis and talented rookie Kevin Knox, the Knicks in general are in a state of rebuild and early this season in particular are mostly looking for stability in the form of learning which young players are worthy of the most minutes… In their first five games the Knicks defense has been reasonably efficent, but their offense is still a work in serious construction.

BOTTOM LINE

The Warriors are really good.

Enjoy the game.

On the Knicks starting lineup

The Knicks have a new head coach this sesaon and with that comes a starting lineup that could change at any time. Especially early in the season as the team tries to develop chemistry. Here’s the New York Post on the topic of starters:

The 1-3 Knicks took the unbeaten Bucks down to the final 1:30 before being outscored 16-6 to close, dropping a 124-113 decision Monday night in Brew City.

The current starting lineup has one more game to prove itself, otherwise David Fizdale will change things up, likely at power forward with Mario Hezonja or Noah Vonleh replacing Lance Thomas. As much as Thomas is the club’s emotional leader, his lack of offense hurts. The 30-year-old defensive specialist was shut out against Boston and notched four points in 18 minutes in Milwaukee. Hezonja’s confidence was crashing after Saturday’s Boston benching and getting called out on Twitter by a former Knicks executive, but he rose up in Milwaukee.

— Full article

Knicks exercise contract option on Frank Ntilikina

The New York Knicks have exercised their third-year contract option on guard Frank Ntilikina.

So far in his young NBA career, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound Ntilikina has shown some nice defensive skills, but offensively and especially as a point guard is still learning the ropes. Which is par for the course. His NBA career is just getting started. He’s a Knick to watch in 2018-19.

Ntilikina as a rookie last season averaged 5.9 points, 3.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds over 78 games (nine starts). The 20-year-old became the youngest player in franchise history to appear in a game on Oct. 19, 2017 and represented the franchise in the 2018 Rising Stars Challenge in Los Angeles, CA. The native of Strasbourg, France, was originally selected by New York with the eighth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

As for his recent play in preseason, here’s the New York Post: “Ntilikina’s gains in weight and height are manifesting themselves on the court. The extra bulk — about 10 pounds — has him stronger to the rack and sturdier in guarding power forwards on switches. Ntilikina’s progress in the preseason was overshadowed by a point-guard race that didn’t do the Frenchman justice. (Fizdale started four different players at the position in five games).”

Knicks waive Joakim Noah, Kadeem Allen and Jeff Coby

The New York Knicks have waived center Joakim Noah, guard Kadeem Allen and forward Jeff Coby.

Noah, who is still owed around $38 million from the team, appeared in 53 games (46 starts) over two seasons with the Knicks, averaging 4.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and two assists over 19.9 minutes.

Allen, who was signed by the Knicks on July 25, appeared in two preseason games with New York, totaling 0.5 points and 1.5 assists over 11.8 minutes.

Coby, who was signed by the Knicks on October 7, did not appear in a preseason game this season.

There are now 17 players under contract with the team, including two Two-Way players.

Chris Bosh praises Knicks coach Dave Fizdale

Chris Bosh, who perhaps may someday play in the league again but for now is enjoying life while his sneakers hang nearby, has some very positive words about new Knicks head coach Dave Fizdale. Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Chris Bosh isn’t sure if he will play again, but he said he will give himself until the All-Star break to make that decision.

But Bosh is sure of one thing. His former assistant coach David Fizdale is the real deal and should eventually recruit at least one superstar.

Bosh, who has suffered from multiple blood clots, was at the Knicks preseason game against the Wizards at the Garden and caught up with the Knicks’ first-year coach after the contest. Bosh, who has not played in an NBA game since the 2015-16 season, played for Fizdale when the latter was an assistant coach in Miami.

“We always tried to make it simple,’’ Bosh said. “If you’re trying to accomplish something, you have to know where you’re going. You have to have a core set of values, which [Fizdale] has. You also have to be confident. Which I know he is. You got to work hard. I know that he’s going to inspire the guys to do what they need to do on the court and off the court to get the job done. Once he inspires them, it’s on the players. That’s what great coaches do.

Knicks sign Jeff Coby

The New York Knicks signed forward Jeff Coby today.

It’s likely a deal that won’t last past preseason.

Coby, 6-8, 225-pounds, split last season with CB Prat Juventud and Cambados Xuven of Liga LEB Oro. In 22 games (eight starts) combined between the two teams, Coby averaged 7.6 points and 6.2 rebounds over 18.7 minutes. He played four seasons (2013-17) at Columbia, posting 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds over 15.0 minutes in 108 games (35 starts).

Knicks sign Paul Watson

The New York Knicks signed forward Paul Watson today.

It’s likely a non-guaranteed deal that won’t last past the end of preseason.

Watson, 6-8, 210-pounds, appeared in five games for New York’s 2018 Summer League entry in Las Vegas and averaged 2.0 points, 1.6 rebounds and a steal over 12.0 minutes. He spent the 2017-18 season with the Westchester Knicks where he averaged 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds over 26.7 minutes in 45 games (23 starts). Watson played four seasons (2013-17) at Fresno State, posting 10.1 points and 4.4 rebounds over 29.7 minutes in 135 games (128 starts). He was named 2014 Mountain West Rookie of the Year as voted on by the coaches.

MSG exec James Dolan gets big raise

James Dolan is doing just fine, for those who were wondering.

Here’s the New York Post reporting:

Madison Square Garden Chief Executive James Dolan got a hefty raise, the company said Thursday.

Dolan will bring home roughly $9.3 million in total compensation over the next year — including sales, bonus and other payout — up 20 percent from his previous contract.

MSG, which owns the Knicks and Rangers, saw its shares spike about 46 percent over the past year.

MSG is packed with fans and business is booming. Now it’s up to the Knicks to match that success in the form of wins not necessarily in this rebuild-focused season but certainly in the next few years.

Knicks sign guard Billy Garrett

The New York Knicks have signed guard Billy Garrett.

Garrett, 6-6, 210-pounds, appeared in three games for New York’s 2018 Summer League entry in Las Vegas and averaged 2.3 points over 9.4 minutes. He spent the 2017-18 season with the Westchester Knicks where he averaged 11.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.1 steals over 27.2 minutes in 50 games (14 starts). Garrett played four seasons (2013-17) at DePaul, posting 13.1 points, 3.5 assists and 2.7 rebounds over 29.2 minutes in 125 games (119 starts). He was named 2014 Big East Rookie of the Year.

Courtney Lee dealing with neck strain

Courtney Lee right now is dealing with a neck strain, but in general his future with the Knicks appears uncertain. It would not be a surprise to see him included in a trade. Not necessarily tomorrow or this week, but certainly in the next month or two. But for now, he’s a Knick. Here’s the New York Post on his current status:

Courtney Lee entered training camp having to prove he’s worth a rotation spot despite not being a big part of the team’s future.

Lee celebrated his 33rd birthday Wednesday and he’s had better ones. Still suffering from a neck strain he picked up on the third day of training camp practices last Thursday night, Lee sat out his second straight preseason game.

Lee hasn’t practiced since the injury occurred following a hard foul by Ron Baker that threw him into the basket stanchion.

The Knicks are still in a state of rebuild. They do have some talented rookies worth keeping an eye on, and we’ll be doing exactly that.