New York Knicks: The Real Problem Is Still Basketball Related

Offensive Execution, Part I: The Problem

The New York Knicks may have bigger issues on defense than they do on offense, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t flaws to correct. New York’s offense has been stagnant and inconsistent, often depending on late runs to pad the numbers and attempt to close the gap.

Rather than relying on hot stretches, the Knicks must pursue four quarters of consistency by fixing the fatal flaws.

Though there are a number of gifted scorers on the roster, New York’s commitment to isolation basketball is flawed in its nature. It runs isolation plays with the fourth-highest frequency in the NBA despite shooting below 40 percent on such possessions.

In other words: the Knicks are as committed to isolation basketball as any team in the NBA, but rank in the bottom half of the league in the efficiency with which they run those plays.

New York’s issues also include an inability to get to the foul line, as evidenced by it ranking No. 23 in the NBA in free throw attempts per game. That’s surprising when one considers the fact that New York ranks No. 9 in the Association in shot attempts from closer than five feet to the basket.

Having said that, the Knicks have the third-worst field goal percentage in the NBA from five feet and within. That, above all else, must improve.