New York Knicks Sink Further Into the Tank After Blowout Loss to Pistons
Mar 11, 2017; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives to the basket during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks had a chance to gain a game in the playoff race, and they blew it on the road against the Detroit Pistons.

This playoff hopes for the New York Knicks were contingent on a victory in Saturday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. With only 17 games to go and New York has no room for error.

The Knicks came into Detroit 5.5 GB from the pointless eight seed in the Eastern Conference. During an informal practice on Thursday, they proved it’s still the same Knicks. Slow starts and no defense are starting to become the memo for this team.

Detroit ran New York out of the gym in the first quarter, and the score was 23–35 at the end of the quarter.

The Knicks didn’t have an answer to the Detroit front court of Andre Drummond and Tobias Harris. The duo combined for 52 points and 22 rebounds and Detroit won 112-92. Kristaps Porzingis had problems guarding the quicker and more athletic Harris early in the game, and Willy Hernangomez was pushed around by the bigger and stronger Drummond.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek is going with Chasson Randle as the backup point guard.The new hero scored six straight points as soon as he came into the game including a 39 foot 3 point shot to beat the buzzer and did an excellent job facilitating the game. Randle finished with 19 minutes while fan favorite Ron Baker only played two minutes of fourth quarter garbage time. Derrick Rose posted 11 points and two assists in 27 minutes.

The second unit couldn’t help the first unit like they have been doing throughout the season. Detroit got off to a fast first half, with Harris and Drummond leading the way, and the Pistons had a 66–53 lead after the first 24 minutes.

The offense was not the problem against Detroit; the team was 51 percent overall and 46 percent from the three at halftime. The defensive schemes and effort were not there tonight.

New York came back storming at the end of the third quarter cutting the lead to four points. The Knicks couldn’t take the lead, Detroit stretched their four-point lead to eight heading into the 4th quarter.

After the Pistons had, let their lead slipped they came away with a 13 point lead with 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

The Knicks future leads the offense in today’s loss, Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez gave the Knicks all of their effort on offense. They were the leading scorers on the team with a combined 32 points. The two youngsters needed to step up because Carmelo Anthony was not himself tonight.

Anthony posted 13 points on 4 of 9 shooting in 36 minutes. His season low for FGA is eight. He only played 12 minutes in that game.

Quotes and Thoughts

Before the game, Derrick Rose told Marc Berman of The New York Post that Phil Jackson is going to do more triangle seminars.

“He said he would (hold a triangle seminar again). Right now, we just have to wait and see when that is.”

The offense wasn’t the only thing Jackson was teaching the team. Rose said he was showing the guards passing techniques. Rose seem thrilled to have Jackson come back in teaching them more.

“I think it was helpful. But then again, it was only one day so hopefully, he comes back in the next couple of days, or next week, and shows us more things,” Rose said Via NYDN.

Courtney Lee said that the passing technique is all new to the team.

“Some passing techniques that are new to a lot of us,” Lee explained.

Phil Jackson told the players that after they catch a “proper” pass, they should feel a ping noise. Lately, Jackson has been more vocal and hands-on with his team. It’s almost certain that Jackson will keep his contract throughout the next three years.

The former MVP said that Jackson is teaching the triangle differently from the coaches. He also went on and told the media that this is the first time the president ran a practice with the guards.

After the loss, Rose seemed to change his tune when talking to Newsday‘s Barbara Barker.

Time is ticking on this “Super team, , it” and it’s safe to say that New York should lean towards tanking for a good draft pick by playing their young guys.

New York is now 6 GB from the 8th ; it’s time to focus on the future.

Up Next: The Knicks return to New York City on Sunday, March 12 for a “road” game against Brooklyn Nets.

19 Years Old, from Chicago, IL. NBA writer for EliteSportsNY and RealBallInsider. MLB writer for ROBaseball. Sports Writer for The Communicator Newspaper. Co-Host on Sports Show "SportsSanity" blogtalkradio.com/sportssanity