The New York Knicks are the third seed in the Eastern Conference, and we wouldn’t be so disappointed if we didn’t see the Knicks win the NBA Cup and knock on the door of the Detroit Pistons a month ago. The question now is, which version of the Knicks is the real one?
Coach Mike Brown was brought in to provide a stronger process to the existing identity. Much of the early discussion centered around the Knicks’ offense. More pace, increased tempo and more delegation throughout the lineup will improve New York’s performance on that end of the floor, where New York tends to stagnate. That’s with the understanding that the defense may not be at the same level it was under Tom Thibodeau, but there’s enough of a foundation to sustain success in that regard. A little slump on defense and a competitive mentality coupled with better offensive flow would be the package to improve the Knicks.
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According to NBA.com, the Knicks rank third in offensive rating (119.1) and 17th in defensive rating (115). But here’s the key: In November, the Knicks ranked second in offensive efficiency (122.8) and 10th in defensive efficiency (112.3); in December, the Knicks ranked second in offensive efficiency (123.2) and 21st in defensive efficiency (118); in their most recent 2-9 record, opponents averaged 117.4 points per game (25th in the league during the same period).
Is this a team that can’t defend, or a team that can’t defend?
New York’s defensive mentality
When the Knicks play well on defense, their effort jumps off the screen. Is this a perfect defensive unit? Absolutely not. But when they have the mentality to work on the other end of the court, they can usually live with the results. Active ball pressure. Physical fitness off the ball. Scramble and recover. The next step in the process of converting anticipatory defenses. A tight defensive unit that struggles to find a way to get stops and exits in transition.
If the Knicks defense can put up an effort like this, what’s the problem?
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Consistency and connectivity.
In the two clips below, a simple back screen exposes what happens when the Knicks defense doesn’t connect. Devin Booker set a back screen for Jordan Goodwin, which allowed Jalen Brunson to play, but that wasn’t the only problem. It was an easy layup with Mitchell Robinson out of the paint and no switch as Mikal Bridges struggled to get to Booker’s body. Against Brooklyn, the Knicks were able to handle off-the-dribble handoffs, but back screens once again put them in trouble. Michael Porter Jr. screens and Josh Hart sees and steals. Unfortunately, OG Anunoby is in contention, and this separation provides MPJ with an opportunity to find the 3. The Knicks’ defensive activity needs contact or it could work against them.
When the Knicks defense is operating well, you can see them working hard to get physical on cutters and working to navigate screens.
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The key is the timing of their rotation; the sooner they help, the better their chance of recovering and resetting.
Note that in the first clip, by the time Porter catches the pass and Robinson is involved in the offense, Anunoby has already snatched the ground ball in the paint. Des McBride and Anunoby both worked hard to finish the game, and the Knicks performed well. Against Phoenix, when the containment of Booker turned into a pick-and-roll, you didn’t see anyone in the Knicks’ paint. There was a free lane to finish the game and serve as a reminder of what happens when the Knicks don’t hang together.
It’s important for a defense to get out early and provide help, but the rotation behind it is equally critical. The idea is to help the helpers and try to make sure the defenders can help and recover. There’s a reason top defensive teams continue to put in multiple efforts.
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Can the Knicks rely on Karl-Anthony Towns?
Part of the reason it’s so important for the Knicks to have a strong defensive foundation is that the team will inevitably let Karl-Anthony Towns and Brunson play.
From a coaching perspective, I trust Towns defensively because at the end of the day, you just have to get into “do your job” territory. With the right defensive staff around him, the Knicks will likely be able to survive if he fulfills his role. The problem this season is Which Will the scheme the Knicks can rely on work for him?
Overall, the Knicks were able to tolerate Towns’ efforts at the coverage level, being proactive and trusting the rotation behind him. But he’s been less active in coverage this season, which puts more pressure on the rotational staff behind the defense to cover things up. So if the plan is no longer at the forefront of your strategy, where do you turn?
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Towns’ best situation in New York is defending down low in pick-and-roll situations.
As the season has progressed, the Knicks have struggled to keep the pick-and-roll on the same side (a bit of a sarcastic one, considering Thib is a guy) right there), but the challenges remain the same. In an ideal world, defenders are able to move in screens and recover, while Towns can stay in the paint and contain rolling balls. If they can’t get back in front and aren’t ready to protect the rim, then the issue becomes positioning. What’s interesting in that last clip is that even though the Knicks played twice as big, Towns was still on the decline. There’s the ability to give those multiple efforts, containment and recoveries, but that has to be a constant for the Knicks.
Another key is how many other Is the plan credible?
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When KAT was taken off the floor, the Knicks continued to mix it up with him on late switches. If the primary defender is hit by a screen, Towns will take over the ballhandler and the Knicks defense will reset. In these moments, containing these offenses becomes key, but the more flexibility the Knicks can have, the better. Late substitutions are one thing, but how much do you want Towns to do that? thorough change?
It’s not automatic for the Knicks, but it’s something to watch as we get closer to the playoffs. That’s more likely to be seen when he’s paired with Robinson in a two-man lineup. The key is KAT being able to switch, contain the offense, and then be ready to defend the weak side. Offer help, closure, recovery. When Towns puts in multiple efforts, you can live with the results.
What about Jalen Brunson?
It’s important to prepare your base and town coverage, as you also have to be ready for the team to attack Brunson.
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Teams will get Brunson into action by a) forcing him to screen, and b) using whoever he’s guarding as a screener to try to force him out of position.
Against Phoenix in the clip below, he fights hard off a screen and jumps right into action. He did a great job early and recovering, McBride helped him get in the game and he rewarded him by getting spots in the offense.
Problems arise when some of the Knicks’ defensive issues seep into things the offense wants to attack.
In the video below, you can see how a glitch caused problems for the Knicks. Against Phoenix, Brunson called for a switch to Booker. McBride fought hard over the top, opening the door for a three-point play. Against Dallas, Brunson would show up and recover, only for Hart to take a ground ball, which opened up a lane for Najee Marshall.
Every defender has something the offense wants to attack; the problem is that you have to do it cleanly and consistently.
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A good sign for the Knicks is that they’ve gotten self-aware and understand that they have to have the right mentality on the defensive end if they want to achieve their goals. Ultimately, if they want to compete for a championship, the defense has to be up to a certain level. Having a playoff game plan and focusing on one team might help them, but they have to build their foundation and versatility along the way.