Evan Fournier critical of Knicks' offensive strategy as starting lineup continues to flop

With the struggles continuing for the Knicks and the schedule only turning more daunting, Evan Fournier offered a harsh assessment of the team’s strategy after getting blown out the doors in Miami.

The shooting guard, who was part of a starting lineup that was pummeled in Wednesday night’s 110-96 defeat, said the Knicks never adjusted to the Heat’s defensive scheme of switching defenders onto the ball off screens.

Although not a good reflection of the game planning, it was a refreshing account from Fournier compared to the cliched excuses of not having enough energy or heart.

“It wasn’t about the physicality, to be honest. It was more about the organization,” Fournier said. “They switched with Bam (Adebayo), forcing us to get out of our rhythm. We did not play well offensively. We did not take advantage of the switch. It kind of took us away from ball movement.”

Adebayo, who played center Wednesday night on Mitchell Robinson, is an all-NBA defender and capable of staying in front of and thwarting most guards one-on-one. When Robinson set a screen to free up Fournier or another playmaker, Adebayo simply moved over to guard the ball on the perimeter.

The Knicks starters were torched in the first and third quarters. They had more turnovers (11) than assists (7). They could never take advantage of mismatches.

Fournier, who had just seven points in 20 minutes, blamed the lack of adjustments, although he wasn’t specific about whether it was the players or coaches falling short.

“My point is we have to adapt to what other teams are doing,” Fournier said. “When we had that good stretch, we were playing a certain way. Because the guys in front of us were doing something similar every time. When we play a team that does things differently, we have to adjust. So if they take away what we do well, you have to do something else and be okay with that and create opportunities and etc, etc.

“We have to adapt. That’s the main thing. Because we have the weapons, let’s be honest. We have guys who can score. It shouldn’t be a problem for us to score.”

New York’s starting lineup of Fournier, Robinson, Kemba Walker, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett has been outscored by 114 points this season, which is the worst of any lineup in the NBA. It also has a net rating of -15.4. That is the worst of any lineup that has played at least 300 minutes.

Still, Thibodeau didn’t seem eager to alter the rotation Wednesday. He referenced the starting lineup playing well recently, which was certainly the case during a three-game winning streak this month, although Alec Burks was the point guard then because Walker had a sore knee.

“We’ll see. The thing is it’s not just the starters,” Thibodeau said about potential lineup changes. “The bench did some good things. But we need everyone to play well.”

Fournier, to his credit, offered an alternative strategy to attacking switching defenses.

“You can’t control what the other team is going to do. If they’re going to switch, they’re going to switch. You can’t force them not to. That’s impossible. So try to use it to your advantage,” he said. “The dangerous thing with switching – especially when you have Bam who is a very good defender for a center – is to back up and try to play him one-on-one as soon as you have the switch. That’s a dangerous thing. If you ask me, I’ll say get into the pick-and-roll with the (point guard) or whoever is the smallest guard guarding the ball. Make sure they switch. Hit the wing and try to play flash game with the big inside. And you have (Robinson) who is very tall and long and you can lob the pass to him and if there’s the help behind, you just flash and play that game. That’s how I would play it every time down the floor but with different plays.”