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New York Knicks: Don’t Blame The Triangle, Blame The Defense

By Jonathan Bates

Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter against the Washington Wizards at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Ish Smith (14) drives to the basket past New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

The Stats

The offense kept the New York Knicks in games on several occasions. However, New York couldn’t stop the opponents from trading baskets with them. Here’s an example of a game where New York’s offense kept the team ahead, but the defense couldn’t seal the deal.

Here’s another example of how the offense helped give the Knicks a big lead, but the defense couldn’t hold up at the end. Most remember Giannis Antetokounmpo hitting the buzzer beater for the win.

The Knicks were up 87-76 with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, however, and 102-96 with three minutes left in the game.

New York tried to address the defensive issues earlier in the season. They appointed Kurt Rambis to strictly focus on the defense.

Hiring Rambis didn’t change the fact that the Knicks are ranked 25th in defensive efficiency. If your defense is worse than your offense, then the latter has to be outrageously good to win ball games night in and night out.

People say bad offense leads to bad defense. However, the Knicks rank 19th in offensive efficiency, which is higher than two playoff teams. Also, New York has three players averaging at least 18 points per game.

New York is averaging 105 points per game as a team, and the stats suffered because of the injuries and decreased minutes sustained by the stars.

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