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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 /
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Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Brandon Jennings (55) dribbles the ball around New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic guard Brandon Jennings (55) dribbles the ball around New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Creating Penetration

The key to running a successful offense is being able to get the ball inside. Even during an era in which jump shooting is beginning to take precedence above all else, teams that struggle to get points in the paint generally struggle overall.

Whether it’s a consistent attack of the basket or a situational strength, it must be a present skill—and for the 2015-16 New York Knicks, it was entirely absent.

Statistically, the Knicks were dead last in points via drives per game at 10.4—4.3 points worse than the No. 29 team. New York was also No. 30 in both assists via drives per game and points in the paint per game.

Thus, while the point guards from 2015-16 may have excelled in some areas, the team’s inability to get to the rim was a paralyzing weakness.

The new starting point guard, Derrick Rose, ranked No. 14 in the NBA with an average of 8.9 drives per game in 2015-16. Brandon Jennings wasn’t much of a slasher in 2015-16, but he should be more efficient in getting to the basket after a full offseason.

Coupled with Courtney Lee’s strength as a straight-line finisher, the Knicks should do a much better job of collapsing opposing defenses and opening things up along the perimeter in 2016-17.

Next: The No. 1 Improvement

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