The New York Knicks are sitting at 5-3 to start the season, but they have to make some adjustments to their game.
The New York Knicks are 5-3, and it already feels like doomsday amongst some fans. It’s funny to think some feel that way, considering that the Knicks started last season with the same record after eight games. But I guess that happens when you go from a season with no expectations to a season with a higher outlook.
And it’s understandable. It’s been a while since fans could experience consistent success. It’s been since the early Carmelo Anthony days where the Knicks experienced multiple years in the playoffs — from 2011 to 2013. Granted, the Knicks didn’t make it far during the Melo years, that was still a time that fans could gravitate towards the franchise. Because before then, it was during the Patrick Ewing era where the Knicks were genuinely relevant.
So after the numerous droughts and last season becoming an unexpected success, it makes sense that fans are concerned about some early Knicks losses.
But it’s still early in the season. We’re not even a quarter of the way through the year, so the panic meter shouldn’t be so high. Also, the Knicks have demonstrated good play of basketball that is sustainable.
Nonetheless, the Knicks do need to clean up a few aspects of their game.
The Knicks get stagnant on offense
The Knicks are currently third in offensive rating and are second in three-point percentage – 112.2 offensive net rating & 39.3 three-point percentage. But even with these numbers, they don’t tell the whole story of what is happening on the court.
For most of the games, New York comes out with a balanced offense in the first quarter that somewhat continues into the third. But once they’re halfway through the third entering the fourth quarter, the offense becomes a mix of shoot threes or give the ball to someone to isolate — usually that’s Randle. But that brand of basketball is unsustainable for this group, and it’s pretty apparent as to why.
The Knicks don’t have that guy they can give the ball to on a night-to-night basis to get them a clutch bucket. You know, gifted scorers like Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and so forth. And because of that, this squad must rely on team basketball.
That means having guys set off-ball screens to create wide-open shots on the perimeter or back door cuts, drive to the paint and pass to open teammates on the perimeter or in the paint, or utilize the pick and roll/pop. Instead, we get this (the second tweet):
The Knicks should be able to figure out their offensive woes considering that they looked crisp in the preseason (most, if not all, teams go through a scoring dry spell).
The Knicks defense is lacking
Another concern is the defense. It currently isn’t up to snuff as last season, and the numbers prove that. New York is currently ranked 23rd in defensive rating, while they were fourth last season.
One of the reasons for their defense being so poor is because the Knicks get a comfortable lead and start to take their foot off the peddle offensively. Once they do that, they start taking bad shots, which stagnates the offense and allows their opponents to dwindle the lead.
On top of that, once the Knicks realize that they have to pick up the pace again, they start rushing their shots before everyone sets up on offense instead of being calm and working the ball around. How many times have we seen the Knicks get past half-court, pass the ball ONCE, and then someone launches a three before the entire team is set up? By rushing their shots in that manner, they give opponents the green light to push the pace and get easy points in transition.
Another reason for their poor defense is because of lack of awareness. The Knicks tend to ball watch sometimes instead of finding their defender and following their movements. The Bulls game came to mind when everyone and their grandmother were getting easy back door cuts to the rim.
The last thing I’d say about their defense is that effort and communication is inconsistent. At times, two guys guard the same player, which leaves someone open for a wide-open shot. Also, there are moments where guys are jogging back on defense instead of getting set up.
With all of that said, it’s still early in the season for New York to correct these issues. Other teams are still trying to get their footing, too, whether it’s the 4-4 Milwaukee Bucks, the 4-5 Boston Celtics, or the 4-5 Atlanta Hawks – all teams that made the playoffs last year. The Knicks, just like other teams, need some time to figure things out.
Stay tuned to KnicksFanTV.com for the latest Knicks news, rumors and recaps throughout the 2021-22 season. And in case you missed it, catch the KFTV panel award RJ Barrett with last week’s Player of the Week! Hit the link below.
