The soaring Knicks have won six out of eight games since the start of center Mitchell Robinson broke his hand and came above the .500 for the first time since 2012-13 for the first time since 2012-13 and to fourth in the Eastern Conference with the Sunday’s convincing victory in Detroit.
They have done this with a “next-man-up” philosophy under coach Tom Thibodeau and regular contributions throughout their roster, led by Julius Randle, who was a first-time All-Star forward.
Former lottery show Nerlens Noel has also filled in more than skillfully for Robinson, particularly tough minutes for the Knicks (18-17) during the past two games with backup center Taj Gibson, also sidelined with a sprained ankle.
Well, I am never happy. Two, I always think we can do better, ”said Thibodeau when asked Sunday evening if he was satisfied with Noel’s contributions. “I’m proud of Nerlens because he was ready, and we knew he would be. And then we have a lot of other guys coming up. I don’t think you individually replace a man like Mitchell.
“We have to do it collectively. When we play hard, we play smart, we play together, we can find a way to win. That’s what I want us to do. And when someone else is called in, someone goes in the rotation, just be ready, go in and get the job done. That’s what the team is all about. “
Before this season, Noel had logged 40 minutes or more in one game three times in his seven-year NBA career, and none since April 2016. All three of those games went into extra time, one of which reached double OT.
The 6-foot-11 Noel played a season-high 41 minutes in the win over Indiana on Saturday, and 40 (completed from 39:34) the following night against the Pistons. Through Sunday, he was in fourth place in the NBA with 2.0 blocked shots per game.
Without Robinson and Gibson, Thibodeau also briefly took advantage of a small ball line-up in every game, with Randle moving to the center and Kevin Knox or rookie Obi Toppin in power.
Asked if he’s concerned that the Knicks will sacrifice rim protection with the smaller configurations, Thibodeau replied, “I’m worried about everything. You look at where you are in the game. Are you starring? You look at what the matchups look like. That’s what I like about our sofa. We have guys who can bring to the game things that we need. … I like the versatility where we have guys who can play multiple positions. I think we see the value of the rim protection when we had Mitch and of course with Nerlens. And then of course we ask Julius to do everything. “
Noel and Randle are part of the Knicks’ contingent of Kentucky products, along with Knox and rookie point guard Immanuel Quickley, as well as assistant coach Kenny Payne, a former John Calipari assistant.
Both big men were lottery picks in consecutive checkers after one season each with the Wildcats. Noel was sixth overall in 2013 and Randle was seventh in 2014.
“Obviously this is the first time I’ve been on the same team with him … but seeing his evolution I remember playing him last year, years before, but now it’s just different” , Noel said of Randle after Sunday’s win. “Confidence, All-Star, just fine, he shoots the ball confidently.
“I think that’s really a step forward with him becoming a leader of this team. Set a good example. Julius is just a great person, a great player. I really enjoy playing with him. “
Randle also continues to record tough minutes, coming in a tie for second place in the league on Monday with 36.7 per game, only behind Brooklyn’s James Harden (37.5). He averaged 39 minutes in the two weekend wins and joked that he would “get some sleep” ahead of Tuesday’s game in San Antonio.
“I feel great. Honestly, I feel great,” Randle said on Sunday evening. “My body feels great. That’s why you do all the workouts in the summer to prepare yourself for these moments.”