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New York Knicks: What We Learned From Five-Game Road Trip

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) stretches on the baseline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) stretches on the baseline in the fourth quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 127-114. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 15, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) fight for the rebound during the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 15, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) and New York Knicks center Joakim Noah (13) fight for the rebound during the second half at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 103-90. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Defensive Rebounding Is A Flaw

On the surface, the New York Knicks are No. 6 in the NBA in rebounds per game and No. 5 in offensive rebounds per game. Both of those traits have helped the Knicks jump out to an above .500 record through 27 games.

True as that may be, the Knicks have been routinely exploited on the defensive glass, where opponents are creating second chances at will.

The Knicks are allowing 15.0 second chance points per game—the third-worst mark in the NBA. The optimistic take is that it could be worse considering the Knicks are allowing 12.0 offensive rebounds per game and limiting opponents to 15.0 points off of them.

The realistic take is that New York is allowing the most offensive rebounds per game of any team in the NBA and that needs to end.

Willy Hernangomez, Joakim Noah, and Kyle O’Quinn are all revered offensive rebounders, but they need to improve on the defensive glass. The same can be said for the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Lance Thomas.

Once the interior players do their job, it will be on the perimeter players to corral long rebounds and stop allowing opposing guards to extend possessions.

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