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New York Knicks: Keys To Defeating The Houston Rockets

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Houston Rockets small forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Houston Rockets small forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives past New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) drives past New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Move The Ball

The New York Knicks have been drifting away from team-oriented offense and closer to isolation basketball. That’s a dangerous trend when one considers how much New York plays when it commits to trusting one another on offense.

The question is: which version of the Knicks’ offense will show up when the task of producing arises?

New York is 15-6 when it records at least 20 assists and 1-10 when it fails to reach that plateau. That’s as easy a statistic to interpret as any: the Knicks are a borderline contender when they move the ball and a non-factor when they don’t.

The burden of facilitating will rest squarely on the shoulders of starting point guard Derrick Rose, who had just one assist against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Rose’s focus during the early months of the 2016-17 NBA regular season should be more on his physical progress than his skill set. Having said that, dishing out one assist in 38 minutes of play simply will not cut it.

Rose, Brandon Jennings, Joakim Noah, and the Knicks will need to keep the ball in motion and create as many efficient shots as possible.

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