CHICAGO – Five observations from Knicks’ latest loss – a 120-102 rout in Chitown that became as lopsided as a meat lover’s deep dish pizza in the fourth quarter:
1. Julius Randle pronounced during preseason his goal was to turn into an All-Star. His first 11 games have not come close to such status, and he is miscast as a ball-dominant, ball-handling forward because his lefty handle is just not good enough. One NBA personnel man actually believes Randle is a sixth-man type on a good team — a player you can stick with if he’s rolling. However, if he’s your No. 1 option, the personnel man says, the team has issues. Randle was 5 of 15 versus Chicago for 17 points. Randle committed two turnovers, including one in the low post that begat a Bulls fast-break bucket that ignited a 22-0 run. Randle also badly air-balled two 3-pointers (1 of 5). It looks like there may be a mental thing at work considering he’s making just 21 percent of his 3s. “He has much too much freedom right now,” the personnel man said.
2. With all the rumors swirling about his job security, Knicks coach David Fizdale sounded a little too upbeat after the game, acting as if they just got beat by Michael Jordan’s Bulls – not Coby White’s Bulls. Fizdale was overly effusive in his praise of White, who entered the game shooting 21 percent from 3 but scorched the Knicks for seven 3-pointers in the fourth quarter – setting a franchise record. Fizdale even talked up White’s pre-draft workout. The Knicks were achingly slow on rotations in getting to White, but Fizdale said he’d have to watch film. Wonder if Fizdale was intrigued enough with White to have considered the eventual No. 7 pick as a trade-back option?
3. This was a very nondescript, disappointing outing for Frank Ntilikina in his sixth straight start at point guard. Even his defense wasn’t up to snuff. Despite three steals, he got beat off the dribble in a few instances. There was not enough creativity to his offense Tuesday as he never tried to break down the defense. He took just four shots, making one in 29 minutes. He had four assists and two turnovers. Maybe he’s saving himself again for Kristaps Porzingis Thursday. Ntilikina was the hero in Dallas Friday, but the Knicks’ point-guard play was conspicuously absent in Chicago. Maybe Elfrid Payton will help.
4. The organization puts a lot of effort into managing the G-League Westchester Knicks, even though virtually all the players are NBA free agents. Hence, it’s surprising how it doesn’t use Westchester to its fullest advantage. Everyone could see Dennis Smith Jr. needed a primer with Westchester. Force-feeding Smith into the game in Chicago may have cost the Knicks the win. I still would like to see Smith get some Westchester time for two games after he stares down his old Dallas team Thursday, but sources say it’s not happening. The Knicks, too, stubbornly refused to let Ntilikina roll in the G-League last season while buried on the bench and struggling. Last season, Courtney Lee had a cup of coffee with Westchester on his injury return, as did Joakim Noah three years ago. Second-rounder Ignas Brazdeikis, who has played one G-League game, is getting action there, but it’s not enough. Brazdeikis scored 15 points (3 of 5 from 3) in 28 minutes in his lone Westchester game. Craig Robinson runs the Westchester Knicks, but it would be nice to put the team to even more broader use.
5. Recently, David Fizdale said shooting guard Wayne Ellington is too much of “a weapon’’ to not play every night. Apparently not. Ellington got his first DNP vs. Chicago. The 3-point shooter is converting just 27.4 percent from downtown.