For the New York City Lottery Police Department, Monday was a very big night.
The Mavericks lost their fifth consecutive game to 8-13 and the Knicks dropped their fifth of six heats to 9-13. The Knicks are now the sixth worst four games under .500.
If the season were to end today, the Knicks would hold the sixth and ninth seed in the 2021 NBA draft pick.
From the Kristaps Porzingis trade two years ago, the Knicks own the Mavericks’ unprotected first-round pick (the first round of Dallas 2023 has a top-10 protection).
While Knicks fans may soon be encouraging a tank again, they should know that top nine lotteries have just as much chance of failing.
Just look at the list of Knicks and the fate of four of their nine top lotteries – Kevin Knox (2018), Obi Toppin (2020), Frank Ntilikina (2017) and Dennis Smith Jr. (2017, obtained in Porzingis trade).
Ironically, one of their leading young players, rookie point guard Immanuel Quickley, was taken 25th after being selected as a mid-second round pick.
As it currently stands, Knox is no longer part of Tom Thibodeau’s ten-man rotation with the club now healthier than it has been all season.
Ntilikina has also been out of rotation since returning from a knee sprain last week. Smith Jr. is on his way to Orlando to play for the Westchester Knicks in the G-League bubble since he was buried since the beginning.
And then there’s the curious case of Toppin, the No. 8 pick in November who came away with a stellar resume from Dayton. The university player of the year missed three weeks with a calf streak, but returned on January 13 as a light backup.
The 22-year-old power forward made little impact with Julius Randle taking the most minutes. Toppin seems a bit lost to run around, set screens, open up and not get the ball.
Toppin did not show enough strength to create his own shot. He also shoots just 26 percent from the 3-point distance – meaning his future as a stretch 4 is unclear.
“He’s someone you just do not know yet,” said one NBA coach.
On Monday in Chicago, Toppin came in for Randle to start the fourth quarter. But less than two minutes later, Thibodeau jerked him for Randle. In his 1:57 tournament, Toppin committed two offenses and did not shoot.
Thibodeau said the Bulls own the plates and he wants Randle to participate again. Toppin played 8:46 in the losing battle, scoring four points and making his lone shot effort – an alley in the street.
Thibodeau indicated that Toppin’s team defense is still a problem. Clearly, Toppin missed the summer league more than most rookies from a midfielder in Dayton, who never got a chance to show his good in the NCAA tournament that was canceled due to the pandemic.
Maybe Toppin’s draft inventory would not have been so high if he had not dominated the Big Dance, but we would never know. He scored 4.6 points in 12 games.
“He played pretty well,” Thibodeau said after the game. ‘(Monday) we started the fourth and the rebound was a problem. And so just play everything. But I like the things he does, he plays with good energy. I would say that is the biggest part of him learning the NBA. ”
Toppin’s defense was his problem coming from Dayton. That’s why Cleveland teamed up with Isaac Okoro at no. 5 was when mockery trapped Toppin, the 22-year-old late bloomer, to stay in Ohio.
“The defense and a man with multiple attempts, you have to do more than one thing,” Thibodeau said of Toppin. ‘He may get the initial part, but there is also a second, third and fourth part that needs to be done. That’s why we ask him to do a lot. He picks it up. He’s getting better. I like his approach. I just have to keep working. ‘
As advertised, Thibodeau plays the guys he thinks will help him win – regardless of the lottery, youth or potential.
Knox is therefore on the agenda. He picked up two direct DNPs and Thibodeau confirmed he is not in the ten-man rotation. However, Thibodeau will not send him to the G-League as he is still knocking on the door.
“In Kevin’s situation, he’s still very situational and can change things quickly based on matches, fouls, injuries, illness,” Thibodeau said. “He would be the next man in. Some can also be matches. ‘
The Knicks have lost two consecutive points since Knox was hamstring, conceding 129 points and 115 points, respectively. Defense is Knox’s weak spot. On Monday, the Knicks also shot just 6 of 29 from the three-point series. Knox’s specialty is the 3-ball.
Ntilikina, meanwhile, has suffered four direct DNPs since its return. He is a defensive specialist and Thibodeau is a defensive coach.
While the Knicks nest in Chicago and wait for the rematch Wednesday at United Center, Thibodeau has a lot to think about.
But also Knicks fans who think the lottery is always the way to nirvana.