New York Knicks: 3 takeaways from preseason loss against Houston Rockets

3. Houston, we have a problem

The New York Knicks simply can not get a grip on what seems to be the absolute basics and fundamentals. It has been an issue all preseason and it is hard to dismiss such problems over “it just being preseason.”

Bounce passes directed right in the numbers are being constantly mishandled by nearly every player who has received minutes thus far. One or two? Sure, that happens. But it seems like there is poor ball-handling on just about every other sequence during the game.

Aside from the most basic of fundamentals having to be addressed, the New York Knicks look absolutely clueless on defense. It becomes mind-boggling how the opposing team essentially walks down the court and there is frequently a man left alone beyond the arc with the nearest defender several steps away. The Rockets were draining the 3-ball like there was no tomorrow, and at a relentless pace that kept the Knicks behind by double-digits for nearly the whole game.

It should be noted that Ron Baker got schooled by James Harden twice while being smothered with solid defense.

The Rockets hit a prolific, uncanny and absurd 47.8 percent of 3-pointers, shooting of 22-of-46. Take a long look at that, Knicks fans. This is going to be a long season.