The Knicks have improved dramatically under freshman team manager Tom Thibodeau, winning 18 of their first 35 games after needing 60 games to take that win last season.
Take it from a member of their 21-45 squad in 2019-20, a player who was on the wrong side of Sunday’s 109-90 plaque in Detroit.
“It starts with the work,” Pistons security guard Wayne Ellington said when asked about the Knicks after the game. ‘Those guys, I was in New York last year and I spoke to Julius [Randle] before the game, and he said, “Man, it’s totally different, it’s night and day.”
“Just our approach, our way of thinking, how Thibs put those guys to work and how he lets them compete on the floor. It’s a process. They have many of the same guys they had last year. Those young guys have taken a step forward and they are learning to play and win. And it can be seen. “
Ellington, who has played for nine teams in 12 NBA seasons, played in 36 games (one start) last season under coaches David Fizdale and Mike Miller with the Knicks.
The 33-year-old shooting guard also praised his former team’s defense on Sunday night, saying the Pistons “didn’t move the ball enough” or “kick it out” for three-point tries.
“That’s part of their defense that Thibs is preaching, he wants to take the paint away,” Ellington said. ‘They are a team with a lot of paint. We got into the paint a few times and some shots were blocked instead of kicking them out. “
The Knicks scored seven blocked shots, including three by Nerlens Noel, in the win. After Tuesday’s game in San Antonio, the Knicks will again face the worst Pistons in the Garden on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s All-Star break.