New York Knicks: 10 Keys to Making the Playoffs

Jan 21, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks guard Jose Calderon (3) jumps to pass between Philadelphia 76ers guard

II (7) and forward

(11) during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

2. Ball Movement

In 2014-15, the New York Knicks ranked No. 6 in the NBA in catch-and-shoot field goal percentage, per NBA.com. Detrimentally, New York was also No. 10 in isolation field goal attempts—a byproduct of inexperienced players going ISO when team play falters.

The good news: Derek Fisher is orchestrating an offense that preaches ball movement, and that should flow significantly better with superior personnel in 2015-16.

New York ranked No. 2 in total passes made per game during the 2014-15 NBA regular season, per NBA.com. Unfortunately, New York was No. 19 in assists per game and No. 28 in field goal percentage.

That had a lot more to do with the talent than it did the system.

According to NBA.com, the Knicks were No. 7 in assist opportunities per game. In other words, the Triangle Offense was routinely putting players in a position to score—they just couldn’t convert.

If the same thing happens in 2015-16, New York has the personnel to vastly improve the efficiency with which it scores.

Next: The No. 1 Factor