During their Nov. 12 loss against the Charlotte Hornets, the New York Knicks proved that their bench was stronger than their starters.
When the New York Knicks won their season opener against the Boston Celtics, New York celebrated in the streets about how this Knicks team just might be different.
Knicks Season Opener pic.twitter.com/RkzFM5O1pi
— Sidetalk (@sidetalknyc) October 21, 2021
The New York team has a winning record and ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference before their Friday night game, but what happened at Spectrum Center in Charlotte has Knicks fans remembering the worst of what seems to be a franchise cursed by poor choices.
Things looked good exiting the half, as the Knicks boasted a nine-point lead. But that quickly unraveled as the Hornets plotted a third-quarter comeback.
+9 at the break. pic.twitter.com/g9DXt4fIuG
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 13, 2021
A steady comeback in the works... #AllFly pic.twitter.com/ETG8J7GMkV
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 13, 2021
After Kemba Walker got an incredible 20 points in the first half, there were signs of trouble in the second quarter.
That changed fast. Hornets cut it nine at half and now just 1:40 in it's tied and Knicks have called time. Turnovers, airballs...you name it, they've got it right now.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) November 13, 2021
Good start for Kemba (20 points at the half) but #Knicks fouled way too much (10 PF) in the 2Q. Hornets cant make a shot (2/17 3PT). Gave them life putting them at the line. #Knicks
— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) November 13, 2021
It's halftime and Kemba Walker has 20 points, the Hornets are 2-for-17 from 3 and the Knicks are up 9 and it doesn't feel like enough.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) November 13, 2021
The Hornets answered back with 34 points in the third quarter, besting the Knicks by four points.
Let's go let's go let's gooooo! #AllFly | @AthleticBrewing pic.twitter.com/EEbn1uhwS2
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 13, 2021
Knicks bench unit swooped in and gave New York a fighting chance
But the Knicks mounted their own mid-game comeback by utilizing their bench players. Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Alec Burks, Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson united in a fourth-quarter comeback that had Knicks fans celebrating. After all, this is the seventh-best bench unit in the NBA, which might have to change after Friday’s electrifying game.
Shout-out to the bench mob. pic.twitter.com/YgH8Yxnw5t
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 13, 2021
Unfairly, not being a starter may lead some to believe these players are less talented, but Knicks fans noted that New York’s bench mob should remain as the starting lineup. Their chemistry and passion made them surpass a starting lineup that blew the lead.
you guys will see Knicks fans oversharing compliments about the team’s bench mob but please understand it is justified. pic.twitter.com/ya5xdTei4p
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) November 13, 2021
Knicks Starters Knicks Bench pic.twitter.com/Gme3PUkvoc
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) November 13, 2021
Derrick Rose can’t be stopped! If only the starters could bring this energy in the third.
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) November 13, 2021
This second string is so hungry when compared to the starting five, who have seem to become just so complacent with their roles. At what point does Thibs switch up the rotations. Tired of the second string having to clean up the starters’ messes every single game. #NewYorkForever
— Eddie (@IeedIer) November 13, 2021
Our starters are allergic to third quarters
— 𝕄𝕖𝕝𝕠 𝕩 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕟 (@SheeeedySheed) November 13, 2021
@nyknicks bench plays with 10x more energy.
— Mamba24Mind (@KnicksJetsYank5) November 13, 2021
Y’all sure Immanuel Quickley isn’t a starter?
— Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 (@Kazeem) November 13, 2021
Funny how for the 2nd game in a row now the 2nd unit is outperforming the 1st. #NewYorkForever
— Daniel Benjamin Martin (@BabyBiird) November 13, 2021
The talent of rose, the accuracy of Quickley, and the explosiveness of Tippen belongs on a starting lineup. According to Sports Ilustrated’s Chris Herring, this unit is the most efficient 5-man lineup in the NBA with at least 50 minutes played.
Most efficient 5-man lineup in the NBA so far, with at least 50 mins played: Quickley, Rose, Burks, Toppin, Gibson are +19.9 pts per 100 possessions in 61 mins pic.twitter.com/IAhihcYm3f
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) November 11, 2021
By comparison, the Knicks starters are the worst 5-man lineup in the league.
The Knicks starting five (Kemba/Fournier/Barrett/Randle/Robinson) have played the most minutes this season.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 13, 2021
They are -78 in those minutes, the worst by any 5-man lineup.
That lineup currently has the worst defensive rating in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/28F8DAZGjC
Ultimately, the Knicks lost 104-96, but the showing by their bench unit indicated that New York has the talent to win games.
Whether or not the Knicks will get their secondary unit more minutes remains to be seen, but if the bench mob can keep up the efficiency, they should earn the promotion that comes with it.