The New York Knicks, a team known for its competitive spirit and strong coaching under Tom Thibodeau, find themselves grappling with significant defensive challenges in the 2023-24 NBA season. Ranked 20th in defense, the Knicks have struggled to contain opponents, particularly from beyond the arc. This defensive shortcoming is surprising for a Thibodeau-coached squad so late in the season. Despite these challenges, the Knicks have managed to build an impressive offense, ranking third in the NBA, showcasing their ability to score efficiently.
In a recent matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, the Knicks held a commanding 21-point lead in the second half. However, the Nets stormed back with 40 points in the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden in November, highlighting New York's defensive frailties. The Knicks' inability to defend the three-point line effectively has placed them last in opponent three-point percentage, a statistic that has proven costly against elite teams.
The Knicks' defensive woes are compounded by their decline in offensive rebounding and free throw attempts compared to last season. These deficiencies have hindered their ability to maintain leads and close out games effectively. Jalen Brunson, one of the team's new starters, expressed a sense of frustration, stating,
"I think we just reached a level of not really caring anymore."
The acquisition of Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets was aimed at bolstering the Knicks' defense and adding versatility on offense. Bridges, known for his defensive prowess and scoring ability, was expected to make a significant impact. Alongside other new starters like Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks aimed to spread opposing defenses and create mismatches through pick-and-roll scenarios. However, their defense has faltered against high-scoring teams, allowing Boston to take 53% of its shots from deep against them this season.
The Knicks' defense has experienced a massive slide from last season when they finished 11th in attempt rate. This decline has seen them hemorrhage more points per 100 possessions against elite scoring clubs, as noted by ESPN Research. An Eastern Conference scout remarked,
"At the root of it all, it's math."
Despite these struggles, the Knicks' offense remains a bright spot. In the final period of games, they have excelled, making nine of ten shots from two-point range. This offensive efficiency has kept them competitive in numerous matchups, yet their defensive lapses continue to overshadow their successes.
Will Hardy, reflecting on the challenges posed by playing against Karl-Anthony Towns, noted,
"Playing against Towns is more of a mental battle."
His sentiments underscore the complexity of managing both offensive and defensive strategies effectively. The Knicks' reliance on spreading defenses thin through strategic playmaking has yet to yield consistent results on both ends of the court.
The team's defensive ranking, compounded by poor opponent three-point defense, signals an odd weakness for a Thibodeau-coached team. Historically known for his defensive schemes, Thibodeau now faces the difficult task of addressing these shortcomings while maintaining offensive momentum.
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