3 takeaways from Knicks loss to Pistons

Dennis Smith Jr. is looking good for the Knicks

Without much of a surprise, the New York Knicks fell to the Detroit Pistons by a score of 120-103 on Friday night.

There are three things that stood out to me during the game. Here they are:

Dennis Smith Jr. is the Knicks’ best player

Even though the Knicks haven’t been able to snap their current losing streak, I believe this team is better since the Kristaps Porzingis trade.

Dennis Smith Jr. is has been a big bright spot and is putting up points. It’s obvious that he’s New York’s best point guard and I don’t believe that Emmanuel Mudiay will get his starting job back.

It’s not that Mudiay was bad when he was healthy, but Smith is a better player and deserves to start from here on out.

Smith scored a career high 31 points on 60 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. He also added eight assists. He’s clearly the Knicks’ best player.

DeAndre Jordan is the veteran leader the Knicks need

Jordan had a nice game with 14 points and 11 rebounds. A nice double-double that Enes Kanter could have also put up. But Kanter can’t play defense like Jordan. That’s why he’s gone. It’s nice that he can produce on both ends of the floor.

One thing that stood out to me is how Jordan encouraged Smith when the second-year guard looked discouraged. With all of the youth on this roster, the Knicks need a vet like Jordan.

With the way Jordan is helping Mitchell Robinson and Smith, this is a leader the Knicks need. It would be great if New York can figure out how to re-sign him.

Damyean Doston is an upgrade over Tim Hardaway Jr.

I think Dotson has proven that he is actually a better all around player than Hardaway. He can score points and play defense. He added 10 points on 50 percent shooting from the field and beyond the arc against Detroit.

Even though Dotson didn’t put up a lot of points, there are times he can go over 20 in a game.

Not only is Dotson a lot cheaper than Hardaway, I think he’s simply a better player.

Comment below and give us your thoughts.

Paul Jackiewicz

Paul has been a professional writer since 2010 and covered the NFL for several years as a credentialed media member. Some of his work has been linked to companies like FOX Sports, MSN, ESPN, Rolling Stone, Forbes and Deadspin. He’s also appeared on sports talk radio shows from around the United States.