New York Knicks look dominant in first preseason game

Through one preseason game, the New York Knicks look much improved. 

The New York Knicks’ big three, RJ Barrett, Jalen Brunson, and Julius Randle all had stellar starts to the preseason.

RJ Barrett put up 21 points, five rebounds, and two assists, all while shooting 8-14 from the field and 3-5 from three. A big knock on Barrett’s game coming into this season is his inefficiency from the field. Although it is only one preseason game, he looks to be on the right track toward remedying that criticism.

New York’s new point guard, Jalen Brunson, finished the contest with 16 points and five assists, on an efficient 7-9 from the field and 2-4 from behind the arc. Brunson had a solid command of the offense and looked to push the pace throughout the game.

Former MIP Julius Randle ended the game with 15 points, on 6-10 shooting and 2-4 from three. He also recorded six rebounds and four assists. Randle seems to be taking steps towards getting back to his 2020-21 season self, turning in an efficient and effective performance.

Miles McBride shows out

Another standout performance on the Knicks was the play of sophomore Miles McBride. Coming into the year, it was up in the air how much he would be playing. Coach Tom Thibodeau seemingly answered that question tonight, with McBride playing the same amount of minutes as bench staples Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley.

On the offensive side of the ball, McBride was fairly pedestrian, scoring seven points and dishing out two assists. However, it was on defense where he shined. McBride recorded six steals during the contest, two times more than the next highest Knick – Quickley with three. He also had one block in the game, an impressive achievement for a small guard. Thibodeau loves defensive guards, so you could see a lot of McBride this season if he continues to play this way.

Quickley and Toppin

Quickley, 13 points, and three assists, and Toppin, eight points and six boards, had decent showings as well. Both shot poorly from behind the arc, however, with Quickley going 1-4 from three and Toppin missing all four of his attempts. Based on past seasons, Quickley will find his stroke from three, but it is still up in the air if Toppin can become consistent from three-point land.

Offensive and defensive domination

All in all, the offense was moving the ball well, totaling 27 assists as a team. The Knicks also shot above 50% as a unit and almost 38% from three overall. Through one game, the Knicks’ offense looks to be doing pretty well.

On the defensive side of the ball, New York looked more like their 2020-21 unit, a top 5 defense in the NBA.

Not only did they hold the Pistons to 96 points, in a league where the scoring average was 110 ppg last year, but Detroit only shot 41.3% from the field and 31.7% from three. These are terrific defensive numbers that will no doubt make Thibodeau smile. The Knicks also forced countless turnovers, recording 14 steals and 8 blocks as a team.

No Quentin Grimes?

Looking toward the future, the team will look forward to the arrival of sophomore Quentin Grimes, who was out with a sore left foot. He was seen last week in a walking boot, but a new report says that Grimes is out of the brace and working out.

Grimes is a valuable player who shot 38% from three last year, all while playing great perimeter defense. The Knicks will be very happy when they can get Grimes back in their lineup, whether that be starting or coming off the bench.

The first preseason game was a big success for New York, who look to continue this winning energy at home in MSG against the Indiana Pacers Friday night.