New York Knicks Weeks in Review: 11/9/15 – 11/22/15

Kristaps Porzingis is taking NYC by storm. (Eric Christian Smith/AP)

Break up the New York Knicks!

Our lovable boys in orange and blue have been on an absolute tear lately. Over the last couple of weeks, they’ve won four games in a row and five of their last seven. This run started with a close 111-109 win against the Toronto Raptors on November 10th, followed by back-to-back tough losses versus the Charlotte Hornets and Cleveland Cavaliers. From there, however, things took a turn for the better. The likes of Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden were no match for New York as they ran straight through New Orleans, Charlotte, Oklahoma City, and Houston. The Knicks currently sit at 8-6, good for 2nd place in the Atlantic Division and 8th in the Eastern Conference. What went right during these last two weeks?

POR-ZIN-GIS: Kristaps Porzingis made a vow on draft night to turn the boos he received into cheers. By the end of last Monday’s game vs. the Hornets, those cheers became chants. After a 10-point/15-rebound showing in Charlotte two weeks ago (including a buzzer-beating three-pointer that was ultimately waved off), K.P. went off last Monday by having a career game. He lit up Madison Square Garden with a career-high 29 points while adding 11 rebounds and shooting 10-for-17 from the field. He followed that up with another terrific performance in Houston last Saturday. Porzingis torched a Dwight Howard-less Rockets team for 24 points, 14 rebounds, and a whopping seven blocked shots. The 20-year-old rookie has taken the NBA by storm, living up to his hype and proving all haters wrong. If his recent run is any indication, it’s only a matter of time before he’s the next big New York superstar.

AFFLALO RETURNS: One of the Knicks’ biggest offseason acquisitions has also performed as advertised. Arron Afflalo made his season debut on November 11th in Charlotte after missing the entire preseason and the first eight regular-season games. He’s had a very profound impact on the offense coming out of the gate, notching double-digit points in five of his first six games. At two years and $16 million dollars, the eight-year veteran is one of the league’s biggest bargains. His staple is outside shooting and solid perimeter defense, both of which have been sorely lacking from Knicks guards over the years, and his proficiency adds another element to Derek Fisher implementing his philosophy.

For this week, the Knicks travel to Florida to face the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic on Monday and Wednesday. After enjoying their Thanksgiving Day with their families, Miami and Houston make trips to MSG on Friday and Sunday for rematches. Don’t miss out on the action, and enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday!