New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis Making Critical Improvements
Pick and Roll
This is less of an improvement that Kristaps Porzingis is making and more of a change being enacted by Jeff Hornacek. Hornacek is taking a New York Knicks team that failed to create consistent penetration in 2015-16 and turning it into a force in the half court.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Knicks point guard Derrick Rose confirmed that Hornacek has his players running the pick and roll.
"“We’ve been running a lot of pick-and-roll,” he said. “I feel that’s my game, pick-and-roll. Having two people on me, it creates and opens up space for everyone. We’re just trying to make things simple and make the easy offense.”"
Hornacek himself confirmed that Porzingis’ ability to shoot will make him a go-to option in the pick and pop.
That should be a marvel to see in 2016-17.
In 2015-16, New York was dead last in the NBA in points in the paint per game at 35.8. That was nearly two points per game lower than any other team in the Association—a telling sign of just how poorly the Knicks executed a season ago.
It’s even more concerning how poorly the Knicks executed the pick and roll.
New York’s ball-handlers scored an average of 8.9 points per game off the pick and roll in 2015-16—the worst mark in the NBA. The Knicks also averaged 5.7 points per game by the pick and roll dive man, which ranked No. 26 overall.
With Porzingis both on the dive and fading out to the perimeter, expect his production to increase.
Expect the Knicks’ overall level of offensive efficiency to follow.
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With these five critical improvements to his game, Porzingis should be even more impressive in 2016-17 than he was in 2015-16.