New York Knicks: 3 takeaways from the first two weeks of the new season

The 2019-20 NBA season is underway, the New York Knicks just finished their first two weeks of this season. Here are three takeaways from their performance so far.

As the first two weeks of the NBA season comes to a close, the New York Knicks are 1-7 in their first eight games, which is the worst record in the league.

Through those eight games played, the Knicks have amassed a point differential of -10.5, which is 29th in the NBA. Surprisingly so, they have lost by nine points to San Antonio, four to Brooklyn, and two to Boston. These marginal victories by playoff-bound teams at least gave us a glimpse at how tough the Knicks can play against superior opponents.

While these stats may seem alarming or expected, the Knicks have a long season ahead of them to turn their tumultuous start around.

Notable performances include:

First week

Game 1 loss vs. the San Antonio Spurs (120-111)

Marcus Morris Sr.: 26 points, four rebounds, three steals, 9/18 FG, 3/7 3PT, 5/5 FT in 39 minutes.

Julius Randle: 25 points, eleven rebounds, six assists, three steals, 10/18 FG, 1/4 3PT, 4/6 FT in 35 minutes.

RJ Barrett: 21 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals, 9/13 FG, 1/3 3PT, 2/4 FT in 37 minutes.

Game 2 loss vs. the Brooklyn Nets (113-109)

Allonzo Trier: 22 points, three rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, 6/7 FG, 3/4 3PT, 7/11 FT in 23 minutes.

Barrett: 16 points, three rebounds, three assists, six steals, 7/16 FG, 2/4 3PT, 0/4 FT in 36 minutes.

Kevin Knox II: 16 points, 5/8 FG, 4/4 3PT, 2/2 FT in 29 minutes.

Game 3 loss vs. the Boston Celtics (118-95)

Barrett: 26 points, seven rebounds, three assists, 9/21 FG, 4/6 3PT, 4/7 FT in 37 minutes.

Mitchell Robinson: 17 points, six rebounds, three blocks, 7/7 FG, 3/3 FT, in 20 minutes.

Game four win vs. the Chicago Bulls (105-98)

Bobby Portis: 28 points, eleven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, 10/14 FG, 4/4 3PT, and 4/5 FT in 30 minutes (+/- of +31).

Barrett: 19 points, fifteen rebounds, five assists, one block, 7/15 FG and 5/11 FT in 40 minutes.

Randle: 13 points, fourteen rebounds, five assists, 5/13 FG, and 3/5 FT in 33 minutes.

Second week:

Game five loss vs. Boston Celtics (104-102)

Marcus Morris: 29 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, 8/17 FG, 5/8 3PT, and 8/11 FT in 39 minutes.

Game six loss vs. the Sacramento Kings (95-83)

Morris: 28 points, six rebounds, two assists, one block, 9/14 FG, 4/6 3PT, 6/7 FT, in 35 minutes.

One takeaway from those notable performances is that Fizdale rides the hot hand, which can have mixed outcomes when trying to build chemistry with a specific rotation. A total of five different players on the Knicks have recorded twenty or more points at least once through eight regular season games, which showcases their depth and potential thus far.