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New York Knicks: Realistic goals for Willy Hernangomez in 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

Milwaukee, WI - MARCH 8: Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks goes for a lay up during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 8, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Milwaukee, WI - MARCH 8: Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks goes for a lay up during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 8, 2017 at the BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 2: Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks grabs the rebound during a game against the Boston Celtics on April 2, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 2: Willy Hernangomez #14 of the New York Knicks grabs the rebound during a game against the Boston Celtics on April 2, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Dominate The Defensive Boards

Willy Hernangomez is legitimately outstanding at crashing the boards, as evidenced by his averages of 13.6 rebounds and 4.6 offensive rebounds per 36 minutes. True as that may be, the New York Knicks were routinely exposed on the glass in 2016-17.

This may simply be a matter of continuing to do what he already does, but New York desperately needs Hernangomez to dominate the defensive boards.

The Knicks finished the 2016-17 regular season at No. 29 in offensive rebounds allowed per game. They were also No. 13 in the Association in opponent field goal percentage and No. 7 in opponent three-point field goal percentage.

Thus, one could confidently surmise that New York’s ranking of No. 30 in second chance points allowed per game was the primary reason for its defensive woes.

Come 2017-18, the Knicks will need to make significant improvements in terms of their rebounding. Allowing second chance scoring opportunities demoralized the team, and often provided opponents with their most effective method of putting the ball in the hole.

For all that he does well, Hernangomez must be able to consistently control the defensive glass if the rest of his team is going to prosper.

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