Gavin Schall here, the host of the daily Locked On Knicks podcast, with your daily Locked On Knicks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Knicks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Something Or Nothing?
Nov 17, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after getting fouled in the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images|Wendell Cruz/Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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
The streak had to end sometime. Even the 2015-2016 Warriors only (“only”) got to 24 wins to start their season. Ironically, they’d go on to lose the title to the Cavs that season.
That Cleveland lost to the Celtics, in TD Garden, without Isaac Okoro and with Darius Garland shooting 3-21 — well only the first half of that stings. If Garland made two more of those field goals the Cavs would’ve taken the game, and Okoro, out with an ankle sprain, will be back.
This game was a tester for the Cavs. Beyond a match against the defending champs and a potential Eastern Conference Finals preview, it was an opportunity to see how the team responded to pressure, unfavourable conditions and expectation. NBA basketball is about winning, we all know this refrain well, but that the Cavs scoring dried up in crucial stretches while the team also fell into bad habits of turning the ball over in momentum-leeching moments, and they still managed multiple runs to come back within two, speaks pretty well to this group’s ability to respond.
What makes the Celtics so good, and a bit like a dream-crushing machine, is their ability to capitalize on and invert what usually brings their opponents wins. In the Cavs case, it’s their speed. Not just pure speed without aim, but their ability to push the pace within their offensive possessions because not one player tends to move in isolation from anyone else. Their lightning quick passing, their flashing cuts and counter-cuts, it’s all predicated on ball movement capitalizing on intuitive communication. A sixth sense of understanding where their teammates are on the floor at any given moment.
Boston was able to jam that up. Not entirely upend it, but chase with pace of their own enough that Garland at times appeared to be the pursued and not the pursuer. Where Garland rushed an offensive possession, where he went in for a fastbreak ISO drive to wrest the pace of the game back into his team’s hands, he bungled it. He’d botch an easy layup and go careening past the baseline, having to expend more energy to get back down the floor in the transition already underway. And the more he botched it, the faster he went. The Celtics saw this and upped the pressure on him, taking advantage of forced turnovers by draining three after three and all but eliminating a huge component of what’s made the Cavs so formidable — their rebounding.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Analysis How the Cavaliers’ offseason plan has turned them into the top team in the league so far this year. (ESPN)
Milestone Russell Westbrook becomes the first player in NBA history to record 200 triple-doubles. (CBS Sports)
Must Read The NBA’s three-point revolution has gotten extreme, begging the question: How many is too many?(The Washington Post)
Analysis The Knicks’ ball movement has notably improved, with key players starting to share the ball more effectively. This shift is a positive sign for the team’s offensive strategy. (Posting and Toasting)
Hired Former Knicks star Jamal Crawford is thrilled to join MSG Networks as Clyde Frazier’s substitute, bringing his unique perspective to the broadcast team. (New York Post)
Preview The Knicks head west to take on the Phoenix Suns. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Can Dalton Knecht Keep Up This Run?
Nov 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) react after scoring a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images|Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Dalton Knecht has recently become a focal point in NBA fantasy discussions, thanks to his electrifying performances on the court. In a standout game, Knecht scored 37 points, including nine three-pointers, with an impressive 75% shooting accuracy. This remarkable display has fantasy managers buzzing, as Knecht’s shooting streak positions him as a valuable asset in leagues.
Knecht’s Shooting Streak: A Fantasy Goldmine
Over the past four games, Knecht has been on a tear, shooting 22 of 33 from beyond the arc, equating to a 67% success rate. Such efficiency is rare and highlights his potential as a sharpshooter. For fantasy managers, Knecht is a must-add player, especially given his current role in the Lakers’ starting lineup. However, while his shooting spree is impressive, it’s important to manage expectations, as maintaining such a high percentage is challenging over the long term.
Injury Updates and Their Impact on Fantasy Rosters
Knecht’s rise comes at a time when injuries are shaking up NBA rosters. Norman Powell’s hamstring injury, for instance, has left a gap in the Clippers’ lineup. With Powell likely sidelined for at least a week, players like Kris Dunn and Amir Coffey might see increased roles, offering potential value for fantasy managers seeking replacements.
Click the button below to get updates on Zach Edey’s ankle injury, and how Bradley Beal’s calf continues to cause problems for fantasy managers
Jalen Brunson And Karl-Anthony Towns Help The Knicks Torch The Phoenix Suns
Jalen Brunson loves to play in Phoenix and he made sure the rest of his Knicks teammates had fun as well. A year after dropping 50 in the Valley Of The Sun, Brunson had a little more help this time around combining with Karl-Anthony Towns for 70 points as the Knicks rode a red hot 1st quarter to a 138-122 win. Alex Wolfe and Gavin Schall break down the scalding start, Brunson’s shooting and passing leap, Josh Hart shooting with confidence, KAT breaking down opposing bigs, Mikal finding some confidence, the Knicks struggles to rotate on defense and some updates and insights from Tom Thibodeau.
Something Or Nothing: Does The Knicks Defense Actually Suck? + Can Mikal Bridges Find His Shot?
Gavin Schall and Alex Wolfe play a new Knicks theme’d version of “Something Or Nothing?” by running through six stats/trends (and one conspiracy theory) that have defined the team’s early season. Is the defense really this bad? Did Mikal Bridges really forget how to shoot threes while becoming Kevin Durant in the mid-range? Has Josh Hart transformed into an elite pick and roll operator?
The Knicks Cruise Past the Wizards | Are They Clicking At Just the Right Time?
Alex goes solo to break down the Knicks’ drubbing of the Wizards, including huge performances from Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, some much-needed rest for the starters, and the continued emergence of Pacome Dadiet as the Knicks approach a very winnable part of their schedule.
