Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Five Key Improvements Made In Free Agency

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 16, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) react after beating the Memphis Grizzlies 98-85 at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) and Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) react after beating the Memphis Grizzlies 98-85 at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 7
Next
Apr 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) defends during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) defends during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention: Athleticism

Perhaps the most understated aspect of a team’s success is the presence of athletic perimeter players. Not everyone needs to be LeBron James or Russell Westbrook, but an aging or slow perimeter can destroy a team’s defense.

That’s exactly what happened in 2015-16, when the New York Knicks simply couldn’t keep up with the opposition.

The Knicks addressed that flaw head-on by finding four guards who can hold their own athletically. At point guard, both Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings have overcome severe injuries to come back as quick penetrating playmakers.

Opposite Rose and Jennings, Courtney Lee‘s end-to-end speed and Justin Holiday‘s all-around explosiveness give New York exactly what it needs at the 2.

By improving athletically, New York can address many of the flaws that harmed it in 2015-16. Thus, while athleticism could be No. 1 on this list, it’s more of a broad point that will be addressed in future slides.

Teams don’t need to build around explosive athletes to contend, but New York needed to build a more athletic perimeter to have a shot at the playoffs.

Next: Controlling The Pace

Home/Knicks News