New York Knicks: 10 Keys to Making the Playoffs
Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Knicks guard
Jerian Grant(13) dribbles the ball during an NBA Summer League game against the 76ers at Thomas & Mack Center. The Knicks won the game in overtime, 84-81. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
9. Get Out in Transition
In 2014-15, only two teams scored less than 1,000 points in transition: the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. Neither team reached the playoffs, which isn’t especially surprising.
The only team to rank in the bottom five in transition points and still make the playoffs was the Brooklyn Nets—a 38-44 squad that lost in the first round.
In order to win, New York needs to balance the Triangle Offense with a transition attack. Head coach Derek Fisher knows it.
Fisher wants Knicks to "go down & try to score as quickly as possible. We’re not running to set up an offense, we’re running to go score."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) October 9, 2015
The personnel exists to thrive in transition.
New York doesn’t need to be an elite team when it comes to transition offense, but it should capitalize on its influx of athletes. Jerian Grant is a speedster at point guard and Derrick Williams is an explosive athlete who can play above the rim.
The Triangle Offense is the foundation of New York’s future, but it needs to be more efficient in transition for a postseason push to occur.
Next: Creating Penetration