New York Knicks: What We Learned From The Loss To The Orlando Magic
2. The Defense Is Atrocious
The New York Knicks are one of the most abysmal defensive teams in the NBA. At 16-18 through 34 games, the Knicks have struggled to prevent much of anything as it pertains to executing on the defensive end of the floor.
Against the Orlando Magic, the Knicks allowed more than 115 points for the 10th time this season—an unforgivably high number through 34 games.
New York falls to 4-14 when it allows at least 105 points. That gives the Knicks a record of 12-4 when it allows fewer than 105 points, which results in an obvious determination: this team would win if it weren’t purely atrocious on defense.
As pointed out by Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders, the Knicks’ rotations continue to be lazy and ineffective.
Interestingly, MSG broadcast brought attention to Melo's defense/effort on multiple occasions in the blowout loss to Orlando... pic.twitter.com/HMnRYgM2hT
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) January 3, 2017
That level of effort and intensity simply will not suffice.
New York is allowing averages of 108.5 points per game and 107.2 points per 100 possessions. Both of those numbers all but guarantee that the Knicks are going to lose more games than they win.
There are other areas in which the Knicks must improve, namely ball movement, but it all starts on the defensive end of the floor.