Knicks lose to Chicago by 25 in Home Opener

Before the game I was hopeful the Knicks might steal one of these early games.  It was not to be.
Lopsided as the result was, 104 - 80, I take the game as a learning experience.

First, Chicago was a team with a long-standing core of players whose roster has only improved in all of the areas that they had been weak in, namely scoring.  OTOH, the Knicks - even veterans who've played together for  a few seasons are just learning the Triangle offense and defensive scheme.  It showed on the court that they have a ways to go before we can consider them proficient.  Turnovers bloated the final score.

Second, Fish is still learning how these lineups will play out in real games.  These first few games will be challenging and will expose some strengths and weaknesses that may be contrarian in practice.  One example of this is that Cole Aldrich in this first game made a strong argument for becoming the first center substitution off the bench.

Aldrich is not the most graceful looking big man on this team but he is the strongest rebounder and physical presence we have off the bench.  Sam has played exceptionally well in both pre-season and in this first game.  Until Aldrich played late in the game the defensive paint was a thruway.  Hopefully this is a lesson learned.

Another weakness in my observation was the fact that Shane larkin was called upon to play big minutes at PG.  At this point in his career, he's a D-League talent with a limited toolset and ceiling.  I'd like to see the Knicks sign Gal Mekel who was just cut by Dallas.  Gal is a mature, 6'3" PG who has had a strong preseason with the Mavs and would add some length and depth to the PG position.