How New York Knicks' Learning Curve Became Latest Excuse
New York Knicks coach Derek Fisher and team president Phil Jackson have been preaching patience and downplaying expectations from day one.
But at some point, the "new system" excuse is going to expire. It already sounds sour if you ask me, even 11 games in and with point guard Jose Calderon still out.
“We’re trying to put in a way to defend as a team, a way to play offense as a team, and that’s not an overnight thing," Fisher told ESPNNewYork.com's Ian Begley November 15 after his Knicks fell to 2-8 following a home loss to the Utah Jazz.
Playing the "it takes time" card isn't exactly going to placate the New York fans, who'll be showing up with pitchforks and torches if the Knicks continue to struggle regardless of the hurdles tied to learning a completely new offensive scheme.
And maybe it does require extra time, and maybe that's factored into New York's uninspiring start. But it's not the primary reason they're 3-8.
I guess it's tough to admit to the obvious problem this early—the one that has to do with the team's questionable blend of personnel.
But the fact is, this Knick roster is one big messy mix. Individually, there's talent. But none of it meshes, and there isn't enough to offset the lack of cohesion.
There's no questioning the previous success of the triangle or its purpose—to increase player and ball movement and decrease isolation—only it's not going to change the strengths and weaknesses of each Knick, which seem to clash.
Don't count on the triangle suddenly curing J.R. Smith's erratic shooting (career 42.5 percent field-goal percentage), Tim Hardaway Jr.'s ineffectiveness finishing in traffic (17.6 percent in the non-restricted paint last year, 22.2 percent this year) or Shumpert's attack game (only 2.4 drives per game).
And it's not like the Knicks are ignoring the triangle's principles—they rank second in the NBA in passes per game after ranking No. 23 one year ago, per NBA.com.
But like any specific system, to work effectively and consistently it needs the right guys to run it and execute. And I'm not sure additional time or reps is changing the identity of the Knicks and their ability to coexist.
For starters, they've got three 2-guards each playing regular minutes and taking roughly 27 shots a game combined—and none of them can get to the basket.
Between Hardaway Jr., Smith and Shumpert, they're averaging a combined 5.4 free-throw attempts per game.
It doesn't help that New York's point guards struggle breaking down defenses too. The Knicks rank dead last in drives per game and points per game off drives. And unfortunately, I doubt Calderon's return will do much to change this statistic.
This issue is ultimately compounded by a frontcourt that can't score in the paint. The Knicks rank last in close-shot points per game as well, or points that are scored within 12 feet, excluding drives.
The core of Samuel Dalembert, Amar'e Stoudemire, Jason Smith, Quincy Acy and Cole Aldrich hasn't exactly given the Knicks many easy buckets or post offense. They're each shooting below 56 percent at the rim.
And it would seem hard to believe Andrea Bargnani (56.8 percent shooting at the rim in 2013-14) will be of much help in the paint once he returns, either.
Defensively, there was never any reason to have much hope in the first place. The Knicks weren't good on defense last year, and that was with Tyson Chandler, who's now in Dallas.
The side effects of learning a new system sure aren't to blame for a perimeter defense giving up a league-worst 42 percent on three-pointers. Time isn't going to heal Stoudemire's Swiss-cheese help D, Carmelo Anthony's struggles closing out or Hardaway's trouble containing dribble penetration.
And as ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk points out, those currently injured Knicks won't be improving the team's defense once back on the floor.
After winning 37 games last season, you were duped if you entered the year thinking things would be much different in 2014-15.
The "patience" talk should really revolve around New York's rebuilding efforts as a franchise—not its immediate timetable to click.
This summer is when the Knicks can finally upgrade the roster, as Stoudemire's, Bargnani's and Dalembert's contracts come off the books. Chances are the triangle would be a little more effective (as would the team's overall defense) with a guy like Marc Gasol in the middle, who according to a report from Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal will be the Knicks top free-agent target, and rightfully so.
But until then, the only excuse that should hold much weight in New York is a misfit roster as a result of salary-cap limitations. And it's strong enough to explain why this year might not get much better.
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