Let’s just say that was a schedule loss…
Here’s the latest from your Knickerbockers.
On officiating involving OG Anunoby:
“I thought he was aggressive on his drives, he didn’t get any calls. It’s a weird game and the officials, they got a tough job but I don’t know if I’ll ever understand what’s a foul and what’s not a foul. Because guys, especially quick guys, they’ll put their head down and they’ll drive from point A to point B and if you lead with your chest, and they’re able to flop or fall off you good enough, it’s a foul. OG is a big, strong guy. When he drives, he doesn’t do that, he’s trying to attack the rim. He’s getting rerouted on his drive, but he can’t seem to get a call.”
On Anunoby’s off night:
“I thought his aggression was there, he just couldn’t get to the free-throw line. I thought he had a couple of good looks from the 3-point line and it just kind of got away from him. Again, I’m not sure what he can do right now to get a call on his drives. Not necessarily at the rim, I’m talking on the drive because he’s getting hit just like everyone else is, but he’s a little bit bigger than some of those other guards, they’re getting calls.”
On turnovers costing New York against Philadelphia:
“They got up into us and it bothered us a little bit. We had 18 turnovers, the game was lost in the turnover game. We had 18 of them for 16 points, compared to their 11 for two points. Not every time they were in us we turned it over, but I think the cumulative impact of it throughout the course of the game caused us to turn the ball over.”
On being a no-excuse team:
“These guys are human. But at the end of the day, we try to pride ourselves on being a no-excuse team. We’re gonna go out and play to the highest possible level. Most times, we’ll probably have it, but tonight we didn’t. Chalk it up, hopefully, as a learning experience.”
On Robinson’s free-throw improvement:
“Peter’s done a great job with him. Mark’s done a great job with him, but more importantly, Mitch is bought into what they’re trying to work with him on when it comes to free-throw shooting. It’s good to see. Any time you can see positive results, that breeds confidence, not just in the individual but also in the rest of the group. So it was good for him tonight to do that.”
On Robinson’s work ethic:
“He’s been working hard at it. It’s a process. It’s good to see, anytime you can see positive results, it breeds confidence not just in the individual but also in the rest of the group. It’s good for him tonight to do that.”
On Mohamed Diawara starting on Thursday:
“I decided to do it yesterday as soon as I knew guys were gonna be out, I was gonna start him. For a young guy, he’s got a really good feel, he’s gonna be a rally good player in this league. He’s just so young right now. He just needs minutes, and it’s hard ‘cause we’ve had a lot of injuries. Any time I can find time for him on the floor, I’m gonna try to do it because he has a chance to be really good in this league.”
“He was extremely impactful for a young guy. We put him on a lot of different bodies. He had a little tough time with Siakam, which is understandable, but he was able to guard most guys out on the floor. He made great plays, and you could feel his length out there defensively and his ability to get after loose balls and get out in transition. All the little things we’re looking for guys to do he does at a high level.”
On Mitchell Robinson’s impact:
“Mitch is going to be impactful whether the ball is going for him or not. That’s who he is as a player. That’s who he is as a teammate. He’s gonna find ways to impact the game and when that’s happening for us as well, we got to capitalize and try to win games.”
On Robinson’s free-throw progress:
“He’s working, he’s concentrating, and you’re seeing the progress on his work. And he’s gonna continue to work and get better at it. I’m very happy for him. I’m proud of him. He’s just gotta continue it.”
On Robinson’s importance even without scoring:
“It’s very, very important. Mitch is gonna be impactful whether the ball is going in for him or not. That’s who he is as a player. That’s who he is as a teammate, and he’s gonna find ways to impact the game. And when that’s happening for us as well, we’ve gotta capitalize and try and win games.”
On trying to stop the Hack-a-Mitch:
“I’m trying to stop everybody from doing that hacking and s–t. So that’s kind of the main goal because I wouldn’t be able to play the fourth quarter. The longer I’m out there, the more I help my teammates.”
On his free-throw mechanics:
“We’ve been working on a lot of arc on the free throws. We went in there this morning, actually, like 10 am — early as s–t — but it paid off tonight. So I guess we’re gonna put that in the routine now. I feel way more comfortable. Getting my elbow under it, getting it up in the air a little more. I’m trying to stop everybody from doing that hacking. The longer I’m out there, the more I can help my teammates.”
On frustration at the line:
“Hell yeah, it’s aggravating. I was talking to myself about that. I’m like, ‘When am I gonna make two in a row?’ I been making one, missing one like s–t.”
On his performance despite Friday’s loss:
“It felt great. But that doesn’t mean too much because we lost.”
“Just the energy, my teammates. They were penetrating and stuff like that and I was just trying to help there. For me, it’s just help my team, help us have a better chance at winning.”
“Their last game was probably five or six days ago. You always gotta give yourself grace. It’s an up-and-down season. It happens. It’s a long season.”
On the post-Cup schedule grind:
“We weren’t really looking too far ahead. We didn’t realize how challenging going from the final game of the Cup and then going right into a back-to-back and we have an earlier game on Sunday. We’ve just got to make sure we get our bodies right and get some sleep.”
On Robinson’s free throws:
“Aye man. I just see the ball go in. That’s all the difference for me.”
On Robinson’s work ethic:
“I ain’t say a damn thing to him. He’s been working, going early, getting shots up, staying late, getting free throws. His hard work’s paying off.”
On Robinson’s improvement:
“I mean, it was due. We’ve seen him working hard with our shooting coach, Peter Patton. He’s in the gym every day, putting in work, trying to get better. With him, it’s all a mindset thing.”
On the Knicks’ passing on hanging an NBA Cup banner:
“I know a lot of people talk about the in-season tournament cup, and should they raise the banner? I think you have to appreciate this moment. Let’s appreciate all the wins that we have, that we come across, because years from now, this in-season tournament, this Cup will be major. It will be a major part of the NBA. I just think we should appreciate the wins that we have right now and be grateful about that.”