There is no one taking leadership on defense.

The Knicks were down as much as 12 points today and a Herculean effort by, Jalen Brunson kept them in the game until the final seconds.

Brunson finished the game with 30 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds. Jalen had an opportunity to land the game winning shots with seconds remaining, but it clanked off the front rim and fell short.

Ja Morant was too much for the Knicks. His triple double was more than the Knicks could handle today.

The Knicks could have easily won today, but they are not a high IQ defensive team.

There is no one taking leadership on defense. Someone needs to yell at guys and communicate when defending the basket.

I suppose it could be the center, but what about Randle or RJ Barrett, the guys they are paying superstar money to.

I think it could be Cam Reddish if some of these overpriced vets were out of the way, and he is given the responsibility. Ja Morant would probably have had 50 tonight had it not been for Reddish.

Cam is healthy now and should be starting, but for whatever reason your genius coach has him riding the bench. 

Grimes still hasn't figured his offensive game fully to take Cam's minutes and should return to the second team.

Thibodeau clearly does not believe in his young players, and that will keep this team hovering .500 for the season.

Knicks lose again Grizzlies 127 - Knicks 124

Brunson wanted to be here, so don't shed any tears for him

Jalen Brunson came tonight ready to put in work against the Portland Trail Blazers. He finished the game with 32 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. 

None of it mattered, of course. The Knicks went on to lose to Portland in overtime.

Brunson wanted to be here, so don't shed any tears for him.

Knicks fans, I have two questions: What exactly makes RJ Barrett a star? And Shouldn't you have given up RJ for Donovan Mitchell?

Barrett got his double double tonight, so just by looking at points you wouldn't see an issue, but something is affecting his game because he could only muster 19 points from 22 shots. Or, maybe this is the best he's ever going to be.

Either way, I think it's time to give up on the idea that Barrett is ever going to be a superstar. Solid role player, indeed, but never a star. 

Barrett has proven to be a piece that can be moved without the fear that he's going to turn into a monster in this league on another team. He's not him.

The Knicks had a chance to win this game, and you'd think that with a coach that has a history of preaching defense, the team would have figured out a way to come up with the necessary stops to win. But they didn't.

The team has never progressed from playing defense with their hands and kept giving Portland free throw after free throw.

The Knicks found away to give the game to Portland.

The cure for Obi Toppin's soft play would be a good talking to from Charles Oakley. But because team owner James Dolan is such an asshole, Obi will never get the encouragement he needs to toughen up his game from a vet he would respect.

The best thing for this team is to package Randle, Fournier, and Barrett in a deal for top young talent and high picks in the next draft.

Then fire Thibodeau. 

Knicks lose again, Portland 132-Knicks 129.

This could have been a blowout of epic proportions.

It wasn't difficult to predict the outcome of this game after this week's loss to Golden State.

Had it not been for Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes, this would have been a blowout of epic proportions.

Julius Randle and RJ Barrett were exposed again today. They were of zero help to this team on offense and defense.

Two of the Knicks big three were merely spectators and Gatorade tasters in Phoenix this afternoon.

When I was a kid, I read Butch Beard's book on coaching basketball, and one of his cardinal sins was jumping while passing.  Julius Randle obviously has never read the book because he is still making this ridiculous mistake at his age and stage of his career.

I fault his coach for allowing him to continue playing as if he has antigravity shoes. Leaping with no commitment only forces poor shots or turnovers.

RJ Barrett looks down right sluggish. He moves as if he's playing in mud. Has he either checked out mentally, or is exhausted?

Phoenix made sure everyone touched the ball and had 6 players in double digits for a balanced scoring attack. The Knicks, not so much.

On an afternoon when the Knicks most desperately needed scoring, Evan Fournier didn't get a single minute, which tells me he is not long to be in a New York uniform.

Tomorrow night in Oklahoma, there is a fleeting chance that this road trip can be salvaged, but I wouldn't bet money on it.

Knicks lose again, Sun 116 – Knicks 95