The Knucks, under the leadership of first-year head coach Tom Thibodo, have improved significantly, and won 18 of their first 35 matches last season after needing 60 matches to reach that victory.
Take it from a member of their 21–45 squad in 2019–20, a player who was on the wrong end of sticking 109–90 in Detroit on Sunday.
“It starts with work,” Pistons guard Wayne Ellington said when asked about the Knicks after the game. “Those people, I was in New York last year, and I was talking to Julius [Randle] Before the game, and he was like, ‘Man, this is completely different, it’s night and day.’
“Just getting into our perspective, our mindset, how Thibus is working those people and how he is making them compete on the floor. This is a process. They have the same people as last year. Those youngsters have taken a step forward and they are learning how to play and how to win. And it is showing. “
Ellington, who has played for nine teams in 12 NBA seasons, appeared in 36 games (one start) with the Knicks last season under coaches David Fizdale and Mike Miller.
The 33-year-old shooting guard praised his former team’s defense Sunday night, saying the Pistons didn’t “shake the ball” and “kick it out” for 3-point attempts.
“It’s part of his defense that Thebes promotes, he wants to take away the paint,” Ellington said. “They are a paint-heavy team. We landed in the paint a couple of times, and we blocked a few shots instead of kicking. “
Nucks recorded seven blocked shots, three of which were won by Nerlens Noel. After Tuesday’s game in San Antonio, the Knicks will face the conference-worst Pistons at the Garden before this weekend’s All-Star break.
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