There are 18 NBA teams still alive (it will be brought down to 16 after Friday’s Play-In games). Each of those teams has certain questions they must find an answer to if they wish to advance past the first round. Some squads, such as the defending-champion Boston Celtics, have very little to figure out as they embark on the playoffs. Even the league’s top two teams in the standings, Oklahoma City and Cleveland, have things to worry about. Whether it is schematic flaws, rotation decisions, or players who must step up, every team has questions.
3 Questions Knicks Must Answer for Playoff Success
For as great of a season the Knicks have had (51 wins, top-five record, top-five offense), they seem to have as many questions as any of the second-tier contenders. This sentiment is felt around the league as well as in the fanbase. While it may seem unfair, the feeling is borne from their incredible incompetence against the top of the league. New York is 0-10 against Cleveland, Boston, and OKC in spectacular blowout fashion. They’re 0-6 against the Warriors, Lakers, and Clippers, three of the sport’s hottest teams down the stretch. Despite the 51 wins and third seed, Tom Thibodeau’s group needs to figure out how to compete with the best squads if they’re going to make a deep playoff run. They certainly have the talent to compete with everyone in the league, but they need to start clicking as a team. The time is now.
1. Can Towns and Brunson Defend Well Enough?
For all of the chatter about Thibodeau’s minutes strategies or Mikal Bridges‘ struggles, the Knicks’ biggest problem has nothing to do with them. The main reason why very few trust NY’s ability to beat any of the top three teams is their defense. More specifically, two players who are incredibly easy for opponents to attack. Unfortunately, these two are also New York’s two best offensive guys, in Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson.
All of New York’s defensive issues stem from its two entry points. Brunson is easy to attack on the perimeter because of his lack of size and athleticism. He’s extremely strong and can hold up in strength mismatches, but is simply too short to guard any of the bigger wings. Teams can easily get him switched onto their stars and attack him. This not only leads to easy buckets but also wears down their superstar guard on the other end. Brunson has elite defensive IQ, plays team defense, and draws a ton of charges. Unfortunately, none of these traits save him from allowing simple offense for opponents.
An even bigger issue for NY is Towns. He gets relentlessly attacked in pick-and-rolls and pick-and-pops by any lineup with a shooting big man. Just last week, Kristaps Porzingis drilled eight threes to steal a game from New York. Towns is simply not sharp or quick enough to hedge on a ball-handler off a screen to allow his teammate to recover, while also making it back out to his man to contest the three. Against Detroit, it shouldn’t be as big of an issue because they don’t have a shooting big, but Cade Cunningham will still abuse him in pick-and-rolls. Towns has done surprisingly well in switches, however, which could be an answer for Tom Thibodeau.
Simply, if Brunson and KAT can elevate their defensive intensity and at least give a passable effort, New York’s offense will have a chance to carry them home in any matchup. If not, the Knicks’ season will be over in a hurry.
2. Will Thibodeau Make Adjustments?
Much of the discourse surrounding NY’s headman has centered around his controversial minutes allocations. If his players appear exhausted during the postseason run and/or suffer overuse injuries, the noise on that topic will get louder. With that said, New York was the healthiest team in the league this year and is entering the playoffs fully healthy.
In my opinion, Thibodeau is under much more pressure to simply coach better during games and series. I’m looking for two adjustments: will he be able to scheme effectively to hide his two weak defenders, and will he bench Josh Hart if needed? The first question will be a matchup of wits between him and the *hopefully* four opposing coaches throughout the playoffs. Thibodeau coached circles around JB Bickerstaff in New York’s five-game drubbing of Cleveland in 2023.
The Hart question is very clear. If he’s struggling or refusing to shoot open threes, he needs to play much less in favor of Miles McBride. Hart is an excellent player who brings a ton of value to the Knicks, but the better teams will ignore him on the perimeter and play five-on-four defense. Both Boston and Cleveland have shut down NY’s attack, doing so. Hart is a Thibodeau kind of player, and the coach is known for ignoring smart basketball principles in favor of his “guys.” Doing so for a team with real championship hopes would be disastrous.
3. Will Mikal Bridges Validate the Expensive Trade?
Bridges is under a lot of pressure this postseason, and it’s hardly his fault. Knicks fans are expecting a ton from a player whom they sent five first-round picks to acquire, and he’s largely disappointed. Bridges has had a very solid season, but has wilted in the Knicks’ biggest matchups. Well, all of the games going forward are do-or-die, and NY needs their star to step up on both ends of the floor. OG Anunoby has been phenomenal this year. If his wing partner can play to his potential, this team can beat anyone in the league.
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