INDIANAPOLIS — There comes a time in most, if not all, seasons when you have to stop taking the word that comes out of press conferences at face value.
The action is like a microphone screech. They drown out language and often make it feel harsh and unpleasant.
So Tom Thibodeau praised his team's depth, interjecting two of his favorite phrases: “We're more than capable” and “I love our depth.” But it's clear that you don't actually believe it.
At least not yet.
In the past three losses, the coach basically rotated six players in the second half. Miles McBride was the only reserve player with meaningful playing time. Tyler Kolek and Jericho Sims played a combined 15 minutes in three second halves, including three total minutes in Sunday's disappointing loss to the Pacers.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the Knicks (4-5) starters lost the lead and ran out of gas late in the game. Their defense just didn't match the energy of the moment. They entered the fourth quarter Monday as the third-worst team in the NBA, losing by 32 points that time.
And when you look at the big picture of this entire season, with its implicit imperative of conference finals or elimination, it's both somewhat predictable and unsettling.
In reality, the Knicks' depth was compromised. Prior to the Karl and Anthony Towns trade, we were pondering the argument that they had the best bench in the NBA behind Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride.
However, this season begins very differently. With injuries to Mitchell Robinson, Precious Achiuwa, Cam Payne and Landry Shamet, Thibodeau was dealing with four second-round picks (McBride, Kolek, Sims and Ariel Hukporti) on the bench. A teenage rookie who looks bluer than celery (Pacome Dadiette) and a forward off the waiver wire (Matt Ryan).
Some would argue that Thibodeau should show more trust in his current bench, even if it makes mistakes. After all, faith often produces production in the long run. But Thibodeau's history suggests he won't play rookies for developmental purposes unless it positively adjusts his chances of winning. And I learned not to doubt a coach's assessment of a player's talent.
In Thibodeau's three different appearances over 13 seasons, there was only one player he continued to bench: Tyus Jones, a player who later proved worthy of greater things. that's it. In Chicago, Thibodeau is credited with suppressing Tony Snell and Marquis Teague. Obviously not true. In Minnesota, it was Kris Dunn. That's not true either. In New York, it was Cam Reddish, Kemba Walker, Frank Ntilikina, Kevin Knox, Dennis Smith Jr. and Evan Fournier. Not entirely true. Thisbus was criticized for not starting Obi Toppin. Currently, Toppin is coming off the bench at Indiana.
Theis' evaluation of other players on the roster is even more questionable, as evidenced by his time as Timberwolves team president.
But that's not the issue here. Thibodeau knows the current Knicks bench better than anyone. And he trusts it no more than McBride.
So here we are.
The most reassuring answer to this conundrum is that the injured Knicks will return. Pain seems to be the closest. Achiuwa is probably not far behind. No one knows for sure about Robinson, but he hasn't appeared in the media in over five months and is struggling with conditioning after a long layoff.
Despite their current depth issues, the Knicks have been blessed with injuries. Their starters are all healthy. Some teams can't make that claim. But if Achiuwa's absence could seriously disrupt the rotation, imagine what would happen if OG Anunoby fell under the spell of DNP. Or Towns? Or Branson, God forbid?
These types of injuries are bound to happen, and the Knicks, who play their 10th game of the season in Philadelphia on Tuesday, don't seem ready to deal with them.
Much of that is a product of the salary cap gymnastics the Knicks did to acquire Towns and Mikal Bridges. They flirted so hard on the second apron that the only viable option was to fill the bench with the minimum acceptable contract.
However, that doesn't mean the Knicks are stuck. We have options moving forward and with four easy opponents at home this week, the schedule will be very light. A starter comprised of one of the league's most offensively talented five-man units will gain more chemistry, dominate playing time, and take pressure off the bench to produce. You can. Whether it's Kolek, Sims, Hukporti or Ryan, we can expect one of the young players to pop and earn a regular spot like McBride did last season, or Immanuel Quickley or Quentin Grimes last season. Probably. They can expect their bodies to recover and stay healthy.
They will be able to take part in the trade season, which begins in earnest after December 15th, and take a closer look at the contracted acquisition market. Sellers will always appear sooner or later.
But in the meantime, the Knicks have depth issues. And it wasn't difficult for that to happen.
