1. Defense
The New York Knicks have the personnel to be one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. The early results haven’t matched the upside, however, and there are reasons to be skeptical of whether or not it’ll come together in 2016-17.
One game won’t make or break the season, but the Knicks could gain a significant measure of confidence by playing well on defense against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies aren’t a poor offensive team, but they certainly don’t have the same type of firepower as the Cleveland Cavaliers. They’re a grind-it-out type of squad that can score efficiently, but rarely post otherworldly offensive numbers.
The Knicks are in danger of allowing that to happen, but this is a golden opportunity for Jeff Hornacek and company to hold an opponent below 100 points.
Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingis will match up against Marc Gasol and sixth man Zach Randolph. Even if Chandler Parsons does play, he’s missed extensive time that could result in his displaying rust.
Memphis is beaten up as it is, which is why Noah and the Knicks’ defense must step up and hold Memphis in check during the home opener.
Must Read: Which players need to step up after a lackluster showing in the season opener?
A game like this could help tame the critics and provide the Knicks with the blueprint for how it should execute defensively.