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New York Knicks Preview: Keys To Defeating The Atlanta Hawks

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) chase down a loose ball in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) chase down a loose ball in the fourth quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball as New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) defends during the third quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 118-107. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) dribbles the ball as New York Knicks guard Courtney Lee (5) defends during the third quarter in a game at Air Canada Centre. The Toronto Raptors won 118-107. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Hustle On Defense

No matter what else happens against the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks cannot do what they did against the Washington Wizards. Playing careless and effortless defense will result in losses to any caliber of opponent.

When the opponent coming to town happens to be a 9-3 squad that won 108 games between 2014-15 and 2015-16, it’s time to step up.

The Knicks have far too many veterans on the roster for the coaching staff to need to convince them to try. This is a matter of either going all-in and winning or holding back and watching the season slip away.

To show up and defend at a high level against Atlanta would be to send a message to the rest of the NBA: “We can be as good as we want to be.”

The Knicks have the personnel to build a Top 10 defense. Joakim Noah and Kristaps Porzingis should anchor the interior, and the likes of Justin Holiday and Courtney Lee should be the glue along the perimeter.

Instead, the Knicks rank dead last in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions and have no identity on defense.

Must Read: The improbability of drafting Kristaps Porzingis

There’s no better time than the present to finally break through on defense.

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