World Peace scored 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting, and Bargnani, who has received much criticism from this writer and his partner in crime, had 14 on 6-for-10 shooting. Twelve of Bargnani’s 14 points came in the first half, but Minnesota led 64-49 at halftime. Bargnani played fewer than five minutes in the second half as the Knicks went on its run.
“My job is to get ready and be ready every time I step on the floor,” Bargnani said, very diplomatically, after the game.
With Bargnani riding the pine, a 17-5 fourth quarter surge brought the Knicks within 100-98, but Kevin Love (34 points) and Martin (30 points) scored the next six points to put the game out of reach.
The lack of a second option may be responsible for a lack of assertiveness. Anthony, Felton and Shumpert are capable drivers, Minnesota had a 38-13 advantage in free throws, an unheard-of advantage of nearly three-to-one by the road team.
Before the game, Williams was impressed by the way the Knicks spaced the floor with their shooters. And even after the win, Love was still impressed by New York’s opposing offense.
“They have such volume shooters and guys who can really put it up as well,” Love said. “They’re a team that could really shoot it well from three.”
One of those players was supposed to be rookie Tim Hardaway Jr., who is getting extended playing time in Smith’s place. Before the game, Woodson called Hardaway “a poised rookie” who is “not scared to step up and take big shots.”
Hardaway definitely took big shots Sunday night. He missed nearly all of them, including all seven of his 3-pointers. He shot 3-for-12 against Minnesota, following up his 4-for-13 shooting night against the Bulls. After just three games, it seems like teams have caught on to what Hardaway wants to accomplish offensively.
“A lot of people are starting to key in on me and using the scouting reports,” Hardaway said. “Your job is to focus in on the details and make it easier on yourself.” Hardaway wants to utilize the shot fake more often and “make sure that when I shoot a three, it’s wide open.”
For right now, this is who the Knicks are. Anthony is among the top 15 players in the league. Chandler is a really strong defensive stopper. Shumpert’s offensive game is still developing. Felton is a capable player, but he’s dealing with a minor hamstring issue. Bargnani, World Peace and Hardaway Jr. are unreliable.
Brewer summed it up best after the game. “They’re missing J.R. Smith, who comes off the bench and scores a lot of points, but they’re still pretty good.”
The Knicks are a pretty good team. We can all agree on that. A contender? At this point, most definitely not.
Shlomo Sprung is a national columnist for Sheridan Hoops who loves advanced statistics and the way they explain what happens on the court. He is also the web editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. A 2011 graduate of Columbia University’s Journalism School, he has previously worked for the New York Knicks, The Sporting News, Business Insider and other publications. His website is SprungOnSports.com. You should follow him on Twitter.