Con: Defensive Rebounding
The New York Knicks have the personnel to be one of the most dominant rebounding teams in the NBA. Joakim Noah is a force to be reckoned with on both ends, Kristaps Porzingis is 7’3″ and athletic, and the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Willy Hernangomez, and Kyle O’Quinn can get after it.
Yet, through the first 20 games of the 2016-17 NBA regular season, only two teams are allowing as many offensive rebounds per game as the Knicks.
New York is currently letting up 12.0 offensive rebounds per game, which is tied with the Indiana Pacers for the second-worst mark in the NBA. More importantly, the Knicks are allowing the most second-chance points per game in the Association at 15.8.
Considering the Knicks are letting up 106.4 points per game, it stands to reason that an improvement on the defensive glass would stabilize the defense.
Noah has a career average of 6.0 defensive rebounds per game, but has missed four outings already. Porzingis and Anthony have the size to dominate their position as rebounders, but even they have underwhelmed.
If Hornacek can help the Knicks become more consistent on the defensive glass, then the defense itself should become more consistent.