Presuming that they actually have gotten off track. . . .
Following a disappointing 103-94 loss to the shorthanded Orlando Magic— their third in a row—the New York Knicks (24-13) are at what feels like a critical juncture. With frustrations mounting, calls for significant changes are growing louder.
It’s fair to argue that the Knicks have focused on star talent at the sacrifice of depth, but I don’t know anyone who regrets having Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges in the starting five. As for bench scoring, Miles McBride is their best player on the second unit, and the team has a record of 19-9 in games he’s played this season. A hamstring injury has sidelined him for four straight games; coincidentally, the team has dropped three of those four. Barring catastrophic news, Deuce should return to the fold soon and hold down primary guard duties with the second unit, which will help to balance Jalen Brunson’s workload.
No, the biggest issue for the Knicks is their inconsistent defense. It starts in the paint. Their primary rim protector, Mitchell Robinson, has no definite timetable for return; Jericho Sims has been relegated to the bench of late; and rookie Ariel Hukporti still has a touch of wild stallion in him. With an inconsistent point of attack defense, and without a strong rim protector, the Knicks will pull their wings into the paint, which leaves perimeter shooters unguarded.
Yesterday’s game against the Magic is one example: Orlando, which has the league’s lowest longrange shooting percentage, managed to get off 31 shots from deep and converted 11 of them. Even Wendell Carter, Jr., who normally has trouble hitting a trash can from eight feet, went 3-of-3 from yard.
Potential Solutions
Roster Reevaluation: The front office must be considering their options for a mid-season trade to rebalance the roster. Priority one would be to identify players who can offer size and defensive prowess without sacrificing too much on the offensive end. (Might I interest you in a Wizard named Valančiūnas?) Two seasons ago, Leon flipped Cam Reddish for Josh Hart before the deadline; last season, he swapped RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa. Frankly, we’re kind of excited to see what he has up his sleeve this time around.
Balanced Offensive Strategy: Per Statmuse.com, the Knicks have taken 1,299 three-pointers this season, which is 15th most in the NBA, and they average 35.1 per game, with rates 24th. Boston leads the pack with 1,806 and 50.2 per game. Increasing three-point attempts across the board, and better utilizing Towns’ outside shooting abilities, could open up the floor more effectively. Then again, after making 4-of-22 from deep last night, maybe they should just focus on layups for a while.
Youth Integration: Thibs’ reluctance to utilize young talent (e.g., rookies Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti) in significant roles has been a point of contention. Greater integration of younger players could inject energy and provide much-needed rest for the starters, potentially staving off late-game fatigue and injuries. A few minutes here or there, tacked onto a timeout or the end of a quarter, could provide just the breathers Jalen, KAT, and crew need to be fresh down the stretch.
Outlook
While the Knicks’ current struggles are concerning, they spotlight areas for valuable adjustments necessary for postseason success. The team’s talent is clear, and with strategic changes, there’s a good chance for them to recalibrate and dominate through the rest of the season and beyond. Their ability to adapt and resolve these issues will be crucial to their success and strengthen their bond as a team. P&T remains optimistic that our heroes will figure it out but reserves the right to panic if they lose a fourth consecutive game tomorrow.
Go Knicks.