New York Knicks: 2021-2022 Season Report Card
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks 2021-2022 season concluded without a trip to the playoffs. It was another disappointing year for Knicks fans, but it no provides a perfect opportunity to grade each player’s performance this season.
After a career year last season, Julius Randle took a step back and was clearly the most disappointing New York Knicks player this season. He never got into a consistent rhythm offensively and his isolation play started wearing down the team with his forced perimeter shots and turnovers. After shooting 41% from three-point range last season, his percentage dropped to barely over 31% this season. He relapsed defensively as well, not hustling as much as he did the year before.
In addition, with the fans showing their frustration at his slow start, Randle showed his frustration back with his thumbs down and obscenity language. He also had run-ins with opposing players, media, and even some of his teammates and assistant coaches. A year ago, Randle seemed like he was going to be a Knick for the rest of his career. Now, it’s uncertain with trade talks flowing in.
He still averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. So I’ll still add a + to his well-deserved D grade.
Grade: D+
Unlike Randle, RJ Barrett took another step up in his third year. He did get off to an inconsistent start. However, once 2022 rolled around, so did R.J. After the turn of the calendar, Barrett averaged over 20 points per game, becoming the youngest Knick to average 20 ppg at 21 years old.
Barrett has also improved defensively and is more willing to defend the opposition’s top perimeter players. He is slowly growing his way into a star player.
Grade: A-
After an injury-riddled 2020-2021 campaign, Robinson stayed injury-free for most of the 2021-2022 season and his production reached new highs. Robinson was a constant double-double nearly every night with points and rebounds, especially offensive rebounding. His presence down low once again was a game-changer with his shot-blocking and rebounding abilities. The question now is whether the Knicks will extend their starting center?
Grade: B+
Fournier was everything that the Knicks expected when they acquired him last offseason. Not much defense and streaky scoring. When his scoring was on though, he was unguardable. Had a 41-point game early in 2022 vs the Boston Celtics, breaking the Knicks record of most three-pointers in a season. More consistently productive in the second half than the first.
Grade: B
Walker’s homecoming unfortunately did not go as planned. Was inconsistent offensively at the start and fell out of favor with coach Tom Thibodeau, getting unfairly benched for most of December. He did have a few great moments after his benching, scoring 44 points vs the Washington Wizards and then having a triple double a couple days later on Christmas Day. But overall, it’s been a disappointment for the Bronx native, and his season was over at the All-Star break.
Grade: D+
The second-year New York Knicks player took a step up, especially in the second half. During the first half of the season, Immanuel Quickley was inconsistent and struggled at times with his perimeter shot, especially right before the All-Star break. But nobody probably benefitted more from the break than IQ. Raised his game to another level, averaging 15 points in the second half and was more consistent. In addition, Quickley showed more of his playmaking skills and also improved defensively. A year ago, at best, his future looked more of a backup off guard. Now, some are labeling his future as a possible future starting point guard.
Grade: B+
Toppin struggled with playing time all year until April. The high flyer really took off in the final week when Randle was out and showed how good he can really be. Finished the season with a bang, scoring 35 and 42 points in the last two games, while hitting six three-pointers in each of those two games. The latter was encouraging, considering he struggled shooting the three all season. Obi will look to build on his strong finish for next season.
Grade: C+
Burks played out of position at point guard for most of the season. It affected his play at times. But he still had games that reminded fans of his 2020-2021 season with his scoring outbursts at times. His Future here is uncertain with trade talks of him being talked about all season.
Grade: B-
Gibson continued to do what he always did throughout his career. He rebounded, defended down low, and provided some toughness and physicality that goes beyond the stat sheets. He also worked on his three-point shooting and was surprisingly a perimeter threat towards the end of the season.
Grade: B-
He received more playing time in the second half and was a factor down low. He channeled some of his Mitchell Robinson-ness with his rebounding. Like Mitch, Sims struggled mightily at the free-throw line. Sims’ strong finish could prompt the Knicks to hesitate on extending Mitch.
Grade: C
Came on his own at the end of the first half with his three-point shooting and strong perimeter defense, living up to his 3 and D analysis. He sprained his knee in the first half after the All-Star rest period and never fully was 100% healthy for the rest of this season, even when he suited up.
Grade: C
Derrick Rose, Nerlens Noel, Cam Reddish, and Miles McBride all receive incompletions because they didn’t play enough for the New York Knicks this season.
Rose got hurt at the start of December with his knee and never played a single game afterward.
Noel faced various injuries throughout the year and couldn’t stay healthy. His presence was on and off and he was barely visible in the second half.
Reddish was acquired from the Atlanta Hawks in mid-January but barely saw regular playing time except in early March. However, his season ended with a shoulder injury.
Rookie McBride bounced around from G-League and the NBA. Even during his time in the NBA, he did not get much playing time until April.
Coach Tom Thibodeau
Along with Randle, the biggest reason for this disappointing season. After winning coach of the year the season before, he also regressed when it came to coaching during the 2021-22 season. The Knicks were not as strong defensively this season. He didn’t make many adjustments offensively even when they struggled to score, continuing to stubbornly play his veterans way too many minutes, and didn’t play a lot of the younger players until the last month of the season. Finished the season strong but after reaching the playoffs the year before, a huge letdown not even reaching the play-in-game.
Grade: D
What do you think New York Knicks fans? Let us know in the comment section below.
