THE Knicks“The defensive inconsistencies were on full display a 112-107 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night. New York’s defense came alive in the fourth quarter, limiting Phoenix to 18 points, but over the previous two quarters, the club gave up 66 points.
The performance was a microcosm of the Knicks’ defense all season, which has been inconsistent. Currently tied for second in the East with a 24-14 record, this has been the year of experimentation for New York. We saw more zone defense, switches, as well as the occasional trap.
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Despite these new wrinkles, the defense produced disappointing results. The Knicks defense is ranked 19th in the NBA after 38 games, and 27th in January. As we approach the halfway point of the season, let’s look at three major issues regarding the Knicks defense.
Point of attack
New York’s most glaring defensive weakness is guarding the point of attack. Mikal Bridges was often New York’s best defender and struggled for a season and a half chasing down ball handlers.
bridges, OG Anunoby, And Josh HarThey’re all quality defenders, but they’ve all looked better in helping roles where they can disrupt passing lanes and cut off drives rather than defending speedy guards capable of getting into the paint.
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Miles McBride was effective sometimes in the role. He has a wingspan of almost 6 feet 9 inches. But he’s also a 6-foot-2 guard, so there are some matchups where that won’t be ideal. Landry Shamet is another capable point of attack defender. Shamet is expected to return soon from a shoulder injury.
The Knicks could make an outside move. Names like Jose Alvarado, Ochai Agbaji, And Keon Ellis have been mooted as potential trade targets to improve the defense. But in reality, these players wouldn’t be the focal points of New York’s rotation.
Brown has used zone at times to combat New York’s defensive issues and it has been hit or miss. Most likely, the Knicks will have to improve from the inside out to elevate their defense.
Defend behind the arc
New York’s lack of an elite offensive point option has carried over to another part of the defense, the three-point line. The Knicks help excessively in the paint to contain drives and shots inside.
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This strategy works to some extent. New York keeps teams in check indoors. The Knicks allow 46.2 points in the paint per 100 possessions according to NBA stats, the sixth-best mark in the league. But the emphasis on painting exposed the perimeter. The Knicks are giving up the third-most three-point attempts in the NBA. Opponents are also shooting 37.3 percent from three, a number that places them tied for 27th in the NBA.
New York struggled to contain the three on Friday, giving up 15 three-pointers in the first three quarters, before limiting the Suns to just one three in the final quarter. One of the reasons for the improvement on defense was the change in strategy on the pick-and-roll. The changeup could be something the Knicks defense turns to more as the season progresses.
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that of New York Jalen Brunson And Cities of Karl-Anthony are the two weakest defenders among the team’s top seven rotation players. But as the team’s top two scorers, they’re also crucial to New York’s offense. It’s a delicate balance that the Knicks must constantly manage.
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The opposition will try to bring Brunson and Towns into offensive actions to attack the two stars and create chaos. In last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, this combination was repeatedly exhibited by the Indiana Pacers. This year’s playoffs will be a major test on defense for Brunson and Towns.
The Knicks haven’t defended well with Brunson on the floor, giving up 119.4 points per 100 possessions in his 1,235 minutes. When the star point guard is on, New York allows 106.3 points per 100 possessions, a number that would rank second in the NBA. That’s not to say Brunson is the sole reason for New York’s defensive woes, but he’s a number to watch for the rest of the season.
