After 13 video games, the Knicks discover themselves in fourth place within the East with a 7-6 document. Although the group hasn’t regarded the a part of championship contenders, there’s been some constructive indicators early on. Let’s check out the place the membership has excelled and the place there’s room for enchancment…
Strengths
Environment friendly taking pictures
New York’s offense has been a constructive story. The Knicks are third within the NBA in offensive effectivity, scoring 119.7 factors per 100 possessions. Key elements for the rating have been how properly the Knicks have shot general. New York is seventh in three-point proportion (37.8), fifth in free-throw taking pictures (80.8 %) and second in true taking pictures proportion (60.2).
1-2 punch
The mix of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Cities offers the Knicks two constant choices to go to all through the course of a recreation. Cities is on tempo for arguably his finest offensive season, with a team-high 26.4 factors on 54.2 % taking pictures from the sphere. Brunson has carried out beneath his excessive commonplace however has nonetheless been efficient, averaging 24.3 factors and 6.8 assists. In shut video games, having two All-Star caliber gamers to go to is essential and we’ve seen it assist in conditions like Brunson’s game-winner on Friday night time towards the Brooklyn Nets.
Passing potential
Within the Tom Thibodeau period, the Knicks have by no means completed greater than twenty fourth in help charge. This season, New York might crack the highest half of the NBA within the class. The Knicks are seventeenth in help charge they usually’ve recorded not less than 30 assists in 4 of the final six video games.
The Knicks had 33 helpers of their Sunday night time 114-104 win towards the Nets. With correct spacing, the Knicks have been capable of drive and kick and make performs. Equally necessary, the Knicks have the fifth lowest turnover charge regardless of the improved passing.
Weaknesses
Lack of depth
Simply a few years in the past, the Knicks have been one of many deepest groups within the NBA. Now, in constructing out its beginning lineup, New York has misplaced some depth. The Knicks are final within the NBA in bench scoring. Facilities Mitchell Robinson and Valuable Achiuwa have but to play this season resulting from damage, and once they return it is going to add to a skinny bench that’s relying closely on guards Miles McBride and Cameron Payne.
Starters Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are all within the high ten in minutes per recreation. The Knicks will want extra affect off the bench in order that they don’t run the starters ragged.
Defensive changes
When the Knicks traded for Cities, it was clear the protection would take a step again. The query was how massive of a step again it might be. The Knicks are twenty first in defensive effectivity, giving up 115.5 factors per 100 possessions.
Three-point protection has been a battle. By the primary 12 video games, the Knicks have been giving up 40.8 three-point makes an attempt per 100 possessions, second within the NBA in accordance with Basketball Reference. Opponents are taking pictures 36 % from three, which is twelfth within the NBA. New York’s level of assault protection guarding the decide and roll will must be higher to include the drive and kick recreation.
Shot profile
Since changing into the pinnacle coach, Thibodeau has centered on modernizing the group’s shot weight loss plan. Which means upping three-point makes an attempt. Although New York has shot properly from three, the membership is simply seventeenth in three-point makes an attempt per 100 possessions (36.3). Final season, the Knicks have been ninth in three-point makes an attempt per 100 possessions.
As an alternative of threes, the Knicks are taking extra midrange makes an attempt. The membership is third in proportion of factors that come from the midrange, per NBA Stats. The primary perpetrator is Bridges, who’s leaning closely on mid vary pull-ups. The truth is, 21.4 % of his factors have come from photographs within the mid vary.
