5. Establish The 3-Ball
The Chicago Bulls have the potential to be one of the Top 5 defensive teams in the NBA in 2016-17. Taj Gibson and Robin Lopez form one of the best defensive interiors in the Association and the trio of Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade, and Jimmy Butler can lock opponents down.
Having established that, the New York Knicks must establish the 3-point shot early in order to open the floor for the offense to flourish.
The Knicks shot 8-of-20 from beyond the arc against the Houston Rockets, but those numbers are misleading. Ron Baker and Mindaugas Kuzminskas—players who should be seeing more court time—made 3-point field goals in garbage time.
A more accurate reflection of what New York has done from distance was when Jeff Hornacek’s crew shot 7-of-22 from distance against the Detroit Pistons.
The Knicks will need to create penetration, but the Bulls have two rugged interior defenders as the last line of defense. Thus, in order to catch them out of position, New York must space the floor and keep the perimeter players honest.
The likes of Carmelo Anthony, Brandon Jennings, Courtney Lee, Kristaps Porzingis, and even Derrick Rose must be up to the task.