Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks Trade Rumors: Five Reasons To Pursue Paul Millsap

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives against New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) drives against New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Dec 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) knocks the ball away from Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap (4) knocks the ball away from Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Millsap’s Defensive Prowess

As previously alluded to, the New York Knicks are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. A season ago, the Atlanta Hawks were one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, with one player shining amongst the rest: Paul Millsap.

Millsap may not have the reputation of an elite defender, but that’s exactly what he’s become under head coach Mike Budenholzer.

Millsap made the 2016 All-Defensive Second Team on the strength of his defensive versatility. He held opponents below their average field goal percentage in 2015-16 and limited opponents to 49.2 percent shooting at the rim.

Millsap also ranked No. 1 in Defensive Win Shares and ranked in the Top 5 in Defensive Rating for a Hawks team that ranked No. 2 in Defensive Efficiency.

Millsap has the uncanny ability to protect the rim, disrupt the pick and roll, and pick up slashers and shooters alike. He may only be 6’8″, but he puts his near 7’2″ wingspan to great use on the defensive end of the floor.

Millsap is also one of the better defensive rebounders in the Association, which rounds out the type of value that New York needs on defense.

Home/Knicks Rumors