What’s clicking for the Knicks as they finish off their December stretch? Currently 10-3 this month, the Knicks aim to replicate their November record of 11-3 in their final regular-season matchup with the Spurs tomorrow. The NBA Cup saw the Knicks thrive in a playoff atmosphere, with bench players Tyler Kolek and Jordan Clarkson stepping up to help close out games. Mitchell Robinson has elevated to an elite offensive rebounder.
On the sideline, head coach Mike Brown is finding his footing and has captured the locker room’s trust. Despite multiple injuries, Brown has been able to plug in pieces and field a competitive team nightly while searching for depth.
What’s Clicking for the Knicks
NBA Cup Finals Run
The Knicks find themselves in a position to repeat their November record in December, sitting at 10-3 with one final matchup with the Spurs on December 31st. This record doesn’t include the NBA Cup Finals win they had over the Spurs on December 16th. By winning the NBA Cup, the Knicks’ locker room morale and overall confidence received huge boosts.
In the NBA Cup, the Knicks experienced a playoff atmosphere as teams fought for their chance to earn bonus money and bragging rights. Multiple players stepped up during the NBA Cup, including second-unit players Kolek and Clarkson. Clarkson was able to come off the bench and hit important threes late, while Kolek provided relief to Jalen Brunson and shouldered the quarterbacking duties when needed.
Mitch Robinson’s Impact, Despite Free-Throw Woes
Robinson’s biggest impact by far this season has been his offensive rebounding. Although he isn’t eligible for league leader due to his 18.5 minutes played per game, he has the highest offensive rebounds per game in the NBA at 4.7. The Knicks, like most modern NBA teams, shoot heavily from the perimeter. Having a player like Robinson in the paint, grabbing misses and kicking them back out for another three-point attempt, has proven deadly to many teams.
Robinson has struggled at the free-throw line all season, and in December, he has been inconsistent at best, shooting 51% from the line on 27 attempts. Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics employed “Hack-a-Mitch” on December 2nd, intentionally fouling Robinson so that he had to shoot free throws. He ended up missing three out of four, which prompted the Knicks to make changes.
Mike Brown’s Game Management and Experimentation
Thus far this season, Kolek has performed when put in crucial game situations. Coach Brown expects Kolek to play tough and is not afraid to call him out in front of teammates if he isn’t shooting well. On December 25th against the Timberwolves, Brown called out his 3-10 shooting from the floor, saying, “You’ve taken ten shots, the second most on this team, and you’ve only made three. Four of those were air balls. If you’re gonna take that many shots, you’ve got to make some.” In the second half of that game, Kolek went 6-12 from the field while finishing with 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Karl-Anthony Towns has struggled with foul trouble all season. Brown knows overseeing Towns is a crucial aspect of his game management, and it will continue to be a storyline throughout the season. In the playoffs, teams will target Towns, forcing him to draw fouls and become a non-factor.
In the midst of multiple injuries to starters, Brown has tested his depth players. One of those players, Kevin McCullar Jr., saw success in Atlanta on December 28th. Brown said, “[McCullar] was scheduled on my minute sheet to come in at the eight-minute mark in the first quarter. I was going to throw him on Trae [Young] just to see what happens.” McCullar saw himself earning more minutes due to his play, and Brown found yet another bench player who can contribute. With that extra play time, McCullar finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
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