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New York Knicks: 3 takeaways from regular season debut in 2017-18

By Randy Porga

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 19: Kristaps Porzingis
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - OCTOBER 19: Kristaps Porzingis /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 19: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks and Raymond Felton #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for a ball during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 19, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – OCTOBER 19: Ron Baker #31 of the New York Knicks and Raymond Felton #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder battle for a ball during the first half of a NBA game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on October 19, 2017 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

3. Not executing with chemistry

Jeff Hornacek went with a starting lineup of Ramon Sessions, Courtney Lee, Tim Hardaway Jr., Kristaps Porzingis and Enes Kanter. For what was preached all summer was the focal point being defense, and it is hard to believe this was the intention through the lineup. We can understand Enes Kanter is dependable on offense, but he typically thrived when coming off the bench; not starting.

Ramon Sessions only played 20 minutes on the night and scored just three points on 1-of-3 shooting. It was hard to tell what he is particularly set to do for his role while he committed 3 turnovers and only came up with one assist. Enes Kanter played 22 minutes scoring 10 points on 5-of-10 shooting. The minutes at center were split and although Kyle O’Quinn was not spectacular, he scored six points in 21 minutes while grabbing 10 rebounds 2 assists and only two turnovers.

O’Quinn could have been better defensively and did not shine, because Sessions and Kanter both had one thing in common; turning the ball over. Enes Kanter committed four turnovers but showed some defense grabbing three steals and seven rebounds.

Lance Thomas had a poor night as well who looked heavy-footed and out of sync with the offense. He scored two points on 15 minutes of play on 1-of-4 shooting from the field and 0-for-2 from beyond the arc. He shared the worst plus/minus for the game (-23). Doug Mcdermott who had the worst Defensive Box Plus/Minus in the league last season.

The entire point here is we are talking about players who have barely shared the court together, and likely all three players are not here to stay for long anyhow. Why not throw Frank Ntilikina into the fire from the start over Sessions if the fan base at times feels a tanking is imminent?

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