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New York Knicks: One Area In Which Every Starter Must Improve

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Knicks 113-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) against the Phoenix Suns in the first quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Knicks 113-111 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) warms up before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) warms up before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Kristaps Porzingis: Defensive Rebounding

Position: Power Forward
Age: 21 (8/2/1995)
Experience: 2nd Season
2016-17 Slash Line: .451/.410/.789
2016-17 Season Averages: 34.3 MPG, 19.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.7 ORPG, 1.3 APG, 2.0 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.1 3PM

It stands to reason that Jeff Hornacek and the New York Knicks could be protecting Kristaps Porzingis. It’d make sense based on his value to the future of the organization and the fact that he’s a physical anomaly in just his second NBA season.

Porzingis doesn’t necessarily need to become Dennis Rodman or Dwight Howard, but even with protection, he must be better on the defensive glass.

Porzingis is averaging 2.0 blocks per game and is holding opponents to 40.1 percent shooting from the field. He’s averaging just 7.6 rebounds in 34.3 minutes per game, however, and ranks outside of the Top 100 in the NBA in rebound percentage.

New York is one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and the inability to limit second chances is one of the primary reasons why.

New York is allowing the second-most second chance points in the NBA during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. That inability to keep teams off of the offensive glass has resulted in the Knicks squandering their brief moments of intrigue.

If New York is going to find its confidence on defense, then Porzingis must help prevent the opposition from creating second chance scoring opportunities at will.

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