Doug’s Sports Rap: Knicks Fall In Opener

The New York Knicks opened their season with a 121-107 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

The New York Knicks are the third youngest team in the league, and despite the fact that they lost, I enjoyed watching them play.

I think this group of neophytes have the ability to improve, and build on something special.

The young roster was obviously out played by a veteran Pacer team, complete with all stars, and a play off caliber squad.

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RJ Barrett has been a bright spot with the new look Knicks, performing well and leading the team with 26 points in the season debut, Barrett was on a roll before the season shut down last march.

Alec Burks was a big help offensively with 22 points, and Julius Randall put up 17 points and lead the team in assists with nine total.

Obi Toppen struggled at times with nine points, and Immanuel Quickley left the game with a hip pointer after only playing 12 minutes.

Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel both got into to foul trouble early on, and combined for a meager five points of offense and nine rebounds, they’ll need to do a better job.

The Pacers star forward Domantas Sabonis shredded the Knicks in the paint scoring 32 points and guard Victor Oladipo had 22 points.

The Knicks actually shot better behind the three-point arc with 42.9% to the Pacers 23.5%.

This young team has a brutal start to the season with two more road games against Joel Embid and the Philadelphia 76ers and then Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks

Knicks Coach Tom Thibodeau knows there is work to be done, but he has said it all starts with good practices so I’m sure the team will be back in the gym this morning.

I think the team will get better and with the playoffs allowing ten teams from each conference, they just might be able to squeak in a spot.

Go Knicks

[NBA.com]