Diagnosing New York Knicks' Biggest Flaws so Far
It's a pleasant burden, pinpointing the New York Knicks' flaws, simply because this team has fewer ghastly, grievous, tragically awful infirmities than last year's squad.
The good news: Perimeter defense and rebounding are not problems this go-round.
The bad news: The new roster has brought back some of the other old troubles.
Underperforming (Starting) Backcourt
(Glory, glory, hallelujah.) Shooting guard Arron Afflalo is off the disabled list and back in the starting lineup. Afflalo looked solid, not stellar, in his season debut Wednesday, scoring 12 in 28 minutes during a 95-93 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
New York needs Afflalo, because the duo of Jose Calderon and Sasha Vujacic was the lowest-scoring starting backcourt in the league, only averaging 11 points between the pair of them. Versus the Milwaukee Bucks Nov. 6, they combined for only two measly points.
A Vujacic layup in the last 10 seconds saved them from a goose egg.
The Calderon-Vujacic starting five struggled. The electric second unit led by Jerian Grant and Langston Galloway dazzled, making the starting backcourt look even worse.
Credit where credit is due, though. Calderon is leaps and bounds (at least leaps) better than last season, and he seems to have turned a corner, averaging 11.3 points in his past three games.
Plus, although Calderon and Vujacic weren't big producers on offense, they weren't huge liabilities either. They didn't turn the ball over. They defended the perimeter. (Ignore that late three Calderon let the Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry sink Tuesday night that shrunk the New York lead to one.)
Shooting Efficiency and Too Many Jumpers
The New York marksmen are having a hard time finding the mark. Part of it's just a plain old slump; part of it's bad shot selection. Although the Knicks are doing a far better job driving the lane and posting up this year, they're still relying too heavily on jumpers.
Despite the Kristaps Porzingis and Robin Lopez put-back slams, despite the Grant and Galloway driving layups, the Knicks score fewer points in the paint than almost anybody (again). The Washington Wizards outscored them there by 16; the San Antonio Spurs by 24; the Toronto Raptors by 26.
Now, that doesn't tell the whole story, of course. While the bricks pile up, the Knicks still feed the scoreboard by getting to the foul line far more often than last season (though the and-1s are regrettably few and far between). Yet, even with free throws factored in, the team's true scoring percentage is crummy.
I'd be delighted to see the Knicks at the stripe even more often, but of course most fouls are drawn during drives and dunk attempts...not those contemptible mid-range* jumpers.
*Would I still complain if I repped the 9-0 Golden State Warriors? After all, the Splash Brothers live for those pull-up jump shots too...but a lot more of those see the bottom of the net. I think I'd still complain, but not as ardently.
Vanishing Fast-Break Game
A fast-break offense is fueled by defensive rebounds, steals and speed. Last season, the Knicks stunk on all of those things, so they naturally stunk in transition.
This season, however, the Knicks do have D-bounds, steals and speed. What they don't have is any excuse for having one of the lamest fast-break offenses in the NBA. They started November with two back-to-back games without a single fast-break point and average only 9.7 FBPs per game.
It's mind-boggling, because these Knicks have shown their ability to blaze downcourt for electrifying fast-break plays. Derrick Williams, Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant make sure we see flashes. When it's there, it's gorgeous. It operates to perfection. It looks like it should be a strength.
All the ingredients are there, they just have to choose to put them together.
Too Many Fouls
While I am positively over the moon to see the Knicks attempting more free throws (22.9) than last season, a look at their opponents' free throws (28.7) brings me back to earth again.
It's a weakness that they'll be lamenting when they get into close games. Sure, Wednesday's two-point loss to the Hornets could have been a win if Porzingis' buzzer-beater had actually beaten the buzzer, but it would have helped if Charlotte hadn't taken 21 more free throws than New York.
The Knicks' talented big men, Porzingis and Lopez, are the two committing the most fouls—not two gentlemen you want riding the pine down the stretch. Porzingis often gets himself into foul trouble early by making typical rookie mistakes and has to cool his heels on the bench. Lopez is craftier, but the chances of him fouling out before a battle in OT are high. Fortunately, head coach Derek Fisher has some good alternatives suited up in blue and orange: Kyle O'Quinn is a beast, and sweet Lou Amundson is back in action.
The Knicks have got one more problem, and you can help with that one, New York fans. The 4-5 Knicks are just 1-3 at home. Remember, half of these gents suiting up for NYK are still getting settled in at Madison Square Garden. So next time you're in the stands, be nice, make them feel welcome, and leave your boos, your paper bag masks and your signs wooing Kevin Durant at home.
All stats from NBA.com/stats. Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7.
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