Knicks 130, Pistons 106: All we needed to know

The Knickerbockers not only impressed in their home opener, but gave cause to believe the future’s just as bright.

That’s more like it! The Knicks bounced back from their heartbreaking opening night loss with a decisive victory over the Detroit Pistons. Expected to be a part of the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, the Pistons didn’t offer much resistance from the start. Historically, there is a strong correlation between successful teams and ones who dominate weak competition, but how much can we really learn from a game like this? Is there anything that can be used to project forward? Let’s dive in.

Early dominance 

While it wasn’t reflected on the scoreboard (the Knicks led by just two points late in the first), New York controlled this game from the opening tip. When you think of dominant Knicks, the first person to pop into your head is probably Mitchell Robinson, who led the way early on. Robinson, coming off of a disappointing debut that saw him in foul trouble, played like he was mad about it. With the addition of Jalen Brunson, along with Evan Fournier’s continued presence in the starting lineup, a lot of pressure will be on Robinson to protect the rim. Oftentimes left to himself. The Knicks’ red carpet to the basket last night didn’t feel as much accidental as it was calculated, as if the Knicks were saying, “Go ahead, we dare you.” And Robinson came through almost every time. Offensively, he continues to control the glass in a way very few others are capable of, roaming under the basket like a lion stalking its prey. 

Joining Robinson on the redemption tour was RJ Barrett. Barrett, who shot just 3-18 on opening night, decided to take a different approach on this particular evening: make a significant impact without making shots. He succeeded. Within minutes he had three assists, as many as he had all of Wednesday night. Playmaking Barrett may not put up the gaudy statlines that Sniper Barrett is capable of, but this felt important. Barrett desperately needs to give opposing defenses something to think about to prevent them from keying in on his forays to the basket. A Barrett with a larger passing arsenal is all the more dangerous.

The bench mob

Still, when Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin entered the game the lead was just two. Fortunately for Knicks fans at the World’s Most Famous Arena, the third-year duo would put their feet on the gas and not allow the Knicks to look back. Toppin was his typically infectious self, bringing energy to his team from the moment he stepped on the floor. When he led a fastbreak and tossed an alley-oop to Cam Reddish, I think even Mike Breen was surprised. After airballing his first shot, Toppin received the ball near the baseline on the left wing and nailed a fifteen footer. Seeing Obi continue to shoot without hesitance inspires hope that he can be that 35% three-point shooter the Knicks want him to be so desperately.

And then there was Quickley who, once again, was the team’s most discussed player after the game. IQ was magnificent all night. The most amusing thing about Quickley consistently being stuffed into the box of “flash in a pan scorer off the bench” is that scoring consistently is arguably the least polished part of his game thus far. He already is one of the league’s best rebounders for a guard. He also remains a problem defensively for opposing teams, who can’t quite seem to figure out who to attack him with. At various points in last night’s game, Quickley defended Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Saddiq Bey and Bojan Bogdonović, and held his own the entire night. He matches energy and effort with length that allows him to stay in front of most ballhandlers while disrupting their live dribbles. When he digs down into the paint, his length allows him to be an adept rim protector. All of this was on display last night and the Knicks, to just about nobody’s surprise, played their best basketball with Quickley on the floor. It’s well past time we stop trying to pigeonhole this kid and allow him to be who he truly is. 

Jalen Brunson

Finally, the Knicks prized free agency acquisition was the team’s best player. Things just seem to run smoother with Brunson at the helm. He’s started the season with 15 assists and 0 turnovers. He is the floor general this franchise has been seeking for twenty plus years. Brunson operates on defenses like a surgeon, cutting through the exterior methodically and waiting for an answer to present itself. Whether nailing a midrange jumper or finding a teammate, Brunson makes the correct decision damn near every time.

It may appear like we didn’t learn anything groundbreaking about this team. While that may be true, taking care of business you’re supposed to is something. Last year's team blew three consecutive 20-point leads. Midway through the third quarter last night, the Pistons had cut a 29 point deficit down to 14. Before long, the lead was back over 20. I could talk more about Brunson’s command of the offense, RJ’s improved playmaking, Julius Randle’s decision-making, Mitch’s dominance, the youthful exuberance of IQ, Obi and Cam, or even Derrick Rose regaining his form some worried he lost. As all of these different characteristics that help make a team whole presented themselves, most of them felt like things the Knicks could replicate against tougher competition. So, on some level, almost everything that unfolded last night mattered. But, more than anything, what mattered was that the Knicks looked at the prospect of fumbling an easy win and turned their shoulders. This year’s team is different. Maybe, for now, that’s all we need to know.