New York Knicks: What Are The Expectations For The 2016-17 Season?

Defense

Joakim Noah is another player the New York Knicks brought in during the offseason. He had shoulder surgery in January and missed the Knicks’ first two preseason games. The Knicks looked lost on defense against the Rockets, but things could have looked a little different if Noah were on the court.

The Knicks made improvements, which was seen in their match-up against the Brooklyn Nets.

When Noah gets on the court, the Knicks’ defense should be improved. Noah knows it’s the preseason, but he wants to be ready when the season starts.

“I want to be out there and play,” Noah said to Marc Berman of The New York Post. “At the same time, I have to be smart. I got to be careful with a hamstring. It’s preseason. I just want to be right when it counts.’’

With all the huge moves made in the offseason, the most underrated, yet valuable, signing has to go to Courtney Lee.

Lee gets praised for his defense, since he has the ability to defend both guard positions. He’s an exceptional perimeter defender and can guard the three-point line as well. Opponents shot 35.4 percent from three last season with Lee as the defender.

While his defense is the strongest part of his game, Lee can be an adequate shooter. As the Knicks guard showed in the second preseason game, he knocked down a three off of a shovel pass from Brandon Jennings.

While Courtney Lee believes the New York Knicks starting five can be “very scary”, the Knicks will need to see production from their second unit.