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Knicks Rumors: Reasons To Love The Lance Thomas Re-Signing

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 18, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) defends New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) defends New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) shoots over Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Lance Thomas (42) shoots over Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson (8) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Efficient Shooting

One would be in the right if they were skeptical of Lance Thomas as a shooter. He’d made just seven 3-point field goals in 168 games entering the 2015-16 season, which made his emergence as a small forward with stretch 4 versatility all the more surprising.

Though Thomas may never rival Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson, he’s proven capable of hitting an open shot when it’s given to him.

Thomas made an average of 0.7 3-point field goals per game in 2015-16, which translates to 44 in 59 appearances. He converted a highly efficient 40.4 percent of his attempts—a surprising number considering how poorly the New York Knicks moved the ball a season ago.

Now in a motion offense where open looks will come with regularity, Thomas should be able to provide a consistent impact from beyond the arc.

Thomas converted 41.0 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3-point field goal attempts in 2015-16. He shot 40.3 percent on corner 3s, 42.2 percent from above the break, and 42.5 percent from midrange.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek spoke of the need for the bench guys to be able to knock down a shot when the stars give it to them, and Thomas is capable of doing so.

Next: The X-Factor

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