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New York Knicks: 5 Early Season Takeaways

By Jerran Anderson

Dec 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) reacts after hitting a three-point shot during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Through 31 games, the New York Knicks are 16-15 and fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. Here are some early takeaways as we approach the All-Star Break.

The New York Knicks are currently a conundrum. At 16-15 in the Eastern Conference, they almost look like a playoff team in head coach Jeff Hornacek‘s first season. Keyword being “almost.”

The Knicks rank 12th in points per game this season, scoring 105.4 as an offensive unit. But the defense in the early going has been an issue. New York ranks 25th in the NBA in opponents’ points per game, allowing 107.7 points per game.

Carmelo Anthony has played decent;y, but in their last game, he was ejected. He committed a Flagrant-2 foul against Atlanta Hawks swingman Thabo Sefolosha in the second quarter on Dec. 28.

The New York Knicks went on to lose that game 102-98. They are 0-11 without Carmelo Anthony on the floor.

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the New York Knicks

Their latest loss to the Hawks was their second straight loss to date. They have lost five of their last seven games and are 4-6 in their last 10 games.

All isn’t lost, however, for the New York Knicks. There’s still young power forward Kristaps Porzingis.  Porzingis has looked dominant on both ends of the floor for the Knicks. He’s averaging 20.1 points per game, up from 14.3 a season ago.

His defense needs to become more of a focus, specifically a reduction in the number of fouls he commits. Even then, with Melo’s mind on other things other than winning, they may need to starting looking to Porzingis as a first option.

Here are five early takeaways for the New York Knicks.

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