The New York Knicks’ defensive struggles have been a hot topic lately, especially concerning their starting five. With the fourth worst defensive rating among the 27 lineups that have played at least 50 minutes this season and the most minutes played of any of those lineups, it’s hard to ignore the numbers.
However, I believe this might not be as dire as it seems. The sample size is still relatively small, and the team is adjusting to having Karl-Anthony Towns at the center. CraftedNBA has Towns as the worst rim protector of any big man in basketball allowing opponents to shoot 73% at the rim. There’s noise in that number and current tracking data does not always capture the full picture, but the eye test says he hasn’t been great. Towns is inconsistent getting back in transition and has had some notable lapses failing to rotate to help in the halfcourt. Mikal Bridges has defended better of late, but his inconsistency in screen naviagation hasn’t helped things.
There’s hope that Mitchell Robinson and Precious Achiuwa’s return could turn the tide, but losing KAT at the five on offense is a borderline negotiable given how dominant the Knicks have been on that end.
Mikal Bridges’ Shooting Woes
Mikal Bridges’ shooting has been another point of discussion. Currently shooting 31% from three-point range, Bridges has been exceptional from the mid-range, hitting 61%. However, his struggles from beyond the arc, particularly on non-corner threes, are concerning. I predicted a dip in his three-point shooting this season, and it seems to be materializing. There seems to still be a mechanical issue with his shot, but it’s also possible that this is a mental hurdle. Encouragingly, Bridges has shown promise in transition, when he has more of a rhythm that will hopefully translate to the halfcourt in time.
For the Knicks to maintain their offensive efficiency, Bridges needs to regain his form as a high-volume, high-percentage three-point shooter. His mid-range success is impressive, but not sustainable for anyone not named Kevin Durant. As the season progresses, I expect his three-point shooting to improve, aligning more closely with his career averages.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Knicks’ defensive strategies and player performances, tune into the Locked On Knicks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Knicks Podcast:
- Josh Hart’s efficiency as a pick-and-roll ball handler
- The Knicks’ offensive rebounding challenges
- Transition defense issues and potential solutions
- A conspiracy theory about Ariel Huckporti’s playing time
