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New York Knicks: The Type Of Players Phil Jackson Should Target

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the third quarter between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the third quarter between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) reaches for a rebound during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) reaches for a rebound during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Rebounders

For as poor as the numbers may be, the New York Knicks showed flashes of quality defense in 2016-17. Unfortunately, a high percentage of the exertions of defensive effort seemed to end with the opposition corralling an offensive rebound.

New York was consistently demoralized by its inability to pull down offensive rebounds, and that can’t continue in 2017-18.

The Knicks allowed more offensive rebounds during the 2016-17 NBA regular season than all but one team. New York allowed more second chance points than any other team in the Association at 14.7 per game.

The primary way for New York to make true improvements on defense will be to limit the second opportunities teams receive to score.

The Knicks have three elite offensive rebounders in Willy Hernangomez, Joakim Noah, and Kyle O’Quinn. Kristaps Porzingis is also a quality offensive rebounder, but all four of those players share an inconsistency on the defensive glass.

New York desperately needs to improve on the defensive end of the floor. Crashing the boards at a high level is the best way to do so.

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