Predicting the Biggest Changes We'll See from the New York Knicks Next Season
The shops at Madison Square Garden have a lot of new swag to manufacture before October. Jerseys distinguishing J.R. Smith from Jason Smith. Triangle bikinis honoring the new offense. Cleanthony Early alarm clocks.
After an action-packed offseason, the New York Knicks who take the hardwood next month hardly resemble those that slouched their way through the 2013-14 season. The game plan Derek Fisher brings to the sideline will be just as different. That we know, but how will the triangle offense and the new personnel really change what happens on the court?
More ball movement
The Knicks were one of the worst passing teams in the league in 2013-14, swirling around the bottom of the barrel with other teams who missed the playoffs (and the Oklahoma City Thunder).
The triangle offense, however, is all about ball movement. Expect the Knicks to jump up into the league's top 10 for passes and assists.
More turnovers
Protecting the rock was one of the few things New York did well in 2013-14. Only the Charlotte Bobcats had fewer turnovers (New York averaged 13.0 turnovers per game; Charlotte 12.3).
However, succeeding at ball protection was partly a result of failing at ball movement. More turnovers may be the main trade-off of the triangle offense's cross-court passes in the air.
Less 'Melo
Carmelo Anthony will not be any less important to the Knicks' success than he has in the past, but there will be fewer isolation plays, fewer minutes and maybe fewer points for 'Melo in 2014-15. (There are already fewer pounds on him.)
This is all good news.
Last season, Anthony tied Kevin Durant for most minutes per game—38.9 overall, and more when the Knicks lost. The punishing playtime took its toll on Anthony's performance. His field-goal average and three-point average in the first three quarters were 47.6 percent and 45.2 percent, respectively; in the fourth quarter, those stats dropped to 38.0 percent and 32.1 percent, respectively.
Although 'Melo's offseason weight shedding may help his endurance, head coach Derek Fisher will need to help his star save a little in the tank for Q4. The triangle offense should achieve that by eliminating the 'Melo iso plays and providing better shot opportunities for the teammates who lack his rare ability to sink tough shots.
If the strategy works, the shooting and scoring will be more evenly distributed, giving 'Melo the chance to relax into a nice leisurely 36 minutes per game.
Faster pace and transition offense
Last season the Knicks were officially the slowest team in the league, with the fewest fast-break points (9.0 per game).
They might not be strong enough on defense to create a lot of fast-break opportunities. However, the speed and passing mentality honed in pursuit of the triangle offense could give the Knicks the wherewithal to capitalize on the chances they do get. Glimmers of this were seen during the NBA Summer League.
More Amar'e
Knicks fans have grown used to seeing Amar'e Stoudemire injured. Nearly every statement about him is preceded by "assuming he's healthy." Nevertheless, Amar'e might just be New York's best starting center. His power makes him more of a threat at the rim than Jason Smith and Andrea Bargnani. His mid-range jumper allows him to stretch the floor better than Samuel Dalembert.
Granted, a successful triangle doesn't necessarily need a quick center who can score outside the paint. The Lakers did it with a guy named Shaquille O'Neal, who hardly ever put it up from mid-range and only made one three-pointer in his 18-season career. However, in the absence of a 12-time All-Star center, future Hall of Fame 7'1", 340-pound beast on the roster, STAT could be the go-to guy at the 5 spot. His minutes per game will increase, at the least.
Also, Stoudemire was one of the late-season additions to the 2013-14 starting lineup that entirely turned the Knicks' dismal season around, albeit too late.
J.R. Smith in the starting lineup Day 1
From October to the beginning of March, J.R. Smith came off the bench, with the shooting guard spot being filled most often by Iman Shumpert. Yet, as soon as Mike Woodson added Smith and Stoudemire to the starting lineup, and moved Shumpert to the bench, the team won eight games in a row, closing the season with a 16-5 record.
That success strengthened the case for starting Smith, and none of New York's new guards are likely to surpass him in the points per game column.
Shump might replace Smith at the starting 2 when Derek Fisher needs to put a defense-first unit on the floor. Tim Hardaway, Jr. could also be a threat, but it's J.R. who will strut through the smoke and spotlights when the starters are announced Oct. 29.
More points in the paint
It would be hard not to increase points in the paint, seeing as though the Knicks were last in the league in PITP last season (33.5 points per game).
The new offense is designed to open up shot opportunities all around the court. If all goes to plan, last season's ineffective strategy of lobbing contested shots from the perimeter will be replaced with one that gives the frontcourt some action and gets the guards driving down a clear lane.
Better attitude
While the Knicks never had a nervous breakdown like that experienced by the Indiana Pacers in 2014, the team chemistry appeared unbalanced.
When explaining the reasoning behind the June trade that sent Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks, Phil Jackson said, "Watching [the Knicks] play, I saw guys that looked at each other like, 'You didn't back me up, you weren't here when I needed help.' There just wasn’t the right combination or feel [where] it felt like everybody was in sync all the time."
Tyson Chandler disputed Phil Jackson's assessment, per Tim McMahon of ESPN Dallas. Chandler said, "If you call holding people accountable daily being a bad influence, then hey, I'm a bad influence."
Certainly Chandler was a fiery, beloved leader in seasons past. Whether or not he deserved any blame for the emotional strife of 2013-14, Jackson's description of the dysfunctional chemistry looked accurate from here.
Of course, winning cures many ills, and with a 37-45 record, the Knicks sorely lacked those.
More wins
The sweeping changes made to the roster, coaching staff and game plan give the new-look Knickerbockers a chance to rectify many of the sins of last season. If they pay off, Phil Jackson's gambles may be good for another 10 wins.
Other changes we might see? The frequent "switching" on defense, which the Knicks never got the hang of, will be abandoned. Under the influence of the Zen Master, Andrea Bargnani may find mental peace, tighten up his game and win over the fanbase. Sales of Just For Men Mustache and Beard may go down in New York, now that Mike Woodson has taken his goatee needs to Los Angeles.
What hasn't changed are Madison Square Garden's high ticket prices. Hopefully for Knicks fans, their cash will be more happily spent this year.
All stats are from NBA.com/stats. Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7.
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