The Knicks looked disjointed on offense in a disastrous third quarter against the Hawks on Wednesday night, as New York bowed out of the NBA Cup in the quarterfinals for a second straight year.
It was another disappointing effort as the Knicks continue to try to find their identity with their new-look roster, and BT has grown tired of the inconsistencies, particularly on the defensive end.
“Best offense in the NBA, but too soft for my taste,” BT said. “Don’t get me wrong, they’re very fun to watch, provided it’s the right night, but it’s too intermittent for my taste.”
As for what the issue is on defense, BT believes Karl-Anthony Towns in place of Isaiah Hartenstein has hurt the Knicks in terms of protecting the rim and limiting second chance points.
“I think Karl-Anthony Towns is to blame,” BT said. “You look at the numbers, 19 rebounds…Karl-Anthony Towns did not play well. He’s not alone…but you can’t give up 22 offensive rebounds.
“Without Mitch or Hartenstein to protect the rim, Jalen Brunson is never gonna be a good defender…he was a turnstile last year, but the difference is, you had Hartenstein or Mitchell Robinson waiting. Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t the defender Hartenstein or Mitch is, and he does try, but because of the problems with Brunson, you have Towns trying to clean that up…ad now you have some space to attack the backboard, and that’s how you give up 22 offensive rebounds.”
Towns preached patience after the loss to Atlanta, noting that it took the LeBron James/Dwyane Wade/Chris Bosh Heat team nearly a full year to find their footing, but BT has long-term concerns about the Knicks defensive identity and whether they can be championship caliber.
“I don’t love what I’m seeing. I’m telling you. I’ve been saying this all year,” BT said. “They’re not as tenacious as they were a year ago.”