Many of the TVs were turned off until Knicks’ new addition, Norvel Pelle Center, entered Saturday’s contest at Detroit’s Little Caesar’s Arena at 2:44 p.m.
The Knicks already destroyed the Pistons from start to finish in a 125-81 move to Motown, building a 14-0 lead that turned into 41-15 after a quarter. The rest of the game was garbage time.
It was a 44-point destruction, much needed, because the Knicks found their engine in Motor City, they didn’t look like they were ready for the junkyard. The Knicks ended their three-game losing streak with the sixth-highest margin in the franchise’s history and returned to .500 at 25-25.
But not before Pelle became an emblem of this tough Knicks team and this Motown. Not before this cameo performance of the 6-foot-10 neophyte from St. Cross.
When he first received the ball, Pelle received a foul while getting up for a dive and blocked a finger on the edge of the iron. As he landed, Pelle looked at his index finger bent in all different directions. And he smiled at the disfigurement.
The Knicks coaches rushed to assist Pelle. Finally, they pushed their finger back into place.
Pelle said he wants to shoot free throws. Coach Anthony Goenaga raised his fingers. Pelle went to the free throw line, made one of the two free throws.
At the other end, the firing center played the role. The tough pick of the pioneers in the first round of the Rochester Pistons, Isaiah Stewart, tried twice to shoot Pelle and was blocked each time, first with Pelle’s right hand, then with his left.
A wild ending to a wild night in Detroit. While it is true that the Pistons would have trouble winning the NIT, this was a major blow by the Knicks.
“Seeing a player like that just joined us to come down with an injury and be able to wrap him up right away and make big blocks, we showed our energy,” said Reggie Bullock, who was the star of the night. , scoring 22 points and equaling a career high with six triples. “He is a Knick-type player who is careful to continue playing in the game. We like that fight from him. ”
It was just a small moment, but symbolic for the toughness that Tom Thibodeau’s club demonstrated through 50 games. Thibodeau admitted before the game that he did not know much about Pelle, who played for the 76ers, Kings and Nets.
“Our researchers really liked it,” he said.
Thibodeau now knows why. He likes defensive midfielders who smile at their dislocated fingers.
“Pretty remarkable,” Thibodeau said. “The guy didn’t go through any practice. He was ready to leave. He looked ugly. You appreciated that he wants to stay. That’s why I brought it – rim protection. He said a lot about him. Obviously pleased with the way he played in that short period there. ”
It was just a bizarre night around. The Knicks had a 30-point lead right in the middle of the second quarter and have risen to 40 lately. The early scores were ridiculous – 14-0, 16-1, 24-3. Fans at hand should ask for their money back, although some have been dressed in Knicks shirts.
“I just loved the unity and the spirit of the team,” said Thibodeau. “They were wonderful in the film session, going through and the beginning of the game set the tone with the altruism and the way we kept ourselves.”
Nothing is a trick in this league, especially on the second night of a back-to-back. Remember, the Knicks crashed against the worst NBA team in the fourth quarter in Minnesota on Wednesday.
After a terrible night against Dallas on Friday, Julius Randle found his star and shook in 20 of the 41 points in the first quarter. Randle and Bullock each scored four triples in the 12-minute masterpiece.
Judging by how the Pistons didn’t seem to care, you can tell that Detroit (14-35) will give Minnesota (12-38) a run for its money for the worst NBA record. The pistons are on the Tank Train. Gonzaga’s hero, Jalen Suggs, can change his Bulldogs uniform with that of the Pistons. Poor boy. At least the Knicks have a choice in the second round of the Pistons, which could be number 31 overall.
The Knicks made no move at the time of trading and did nothing in the buy market other than Pelle ink to become a third-tier center behind Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson.
Whether he regrets not making a heavier charge on the back men, Victor Oladipo, Norman Powell, Lonzo Ball or little striker Evan Fournier will depend on how big a goalkeeper Derrick Rose gets, obtained in a Super Bowl Sunday transaction .
“Every team is fighting for something right now, and the team that is not playing for something would do it [like] to be the team that eliminates our playoffs, “Rose said.” That’s what the NBA is about. It’s forbidden for the boys. “
There were men in Detroit on Saturday.