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New York Knicks: Hustle the key to sustained success

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 5: Lance Thomas #42 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the Indiana Pacers on November 5, 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 - NOVEMBER 5: Lance Thomas #42 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the Indiana Pacers on November 5, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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If the New York Knicks are going to win on a consistent basis, hustle will be the key. Thankfully, the core players are displaying that elusive trait.

The New York Knicks are in the early stages of a return to relevance. After 11 games, the Knicks are 6-5 with a 5-2 record at home and a road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on their resume.

The key to the Knicks’ early success can’t be limited to any one strength, but one trait rings true in all phases: Hustle.

New York was once known and feared as the most physical team in the NBA. The foundation for that reputation wasn’t built on thrown punches or hard fouls, but the unmatched willingness to compete for rebounds, loose balls, and everything in between.

The Knicks aren’t entirely back to their roots, but they’ve begun to display the commitment to outworking the opposition that’s been missing for quite some time.

The commitment to defense begins with rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina, who currently ranks second in the NBA in deflections per 36 minutes. The only player he trails in that regard is 6’9″ small forward and three-time All-Defense honoree Paul George.

The deflections aren’t just a product of Ntilikina’s 6’5″ height and 7’0″ wingspan, but the raw tenacity that he’s playing with on the defensive end of the floor.

That unique combination of traits has also helped Ntilikina average an obscene 2.8 steals per 36 minutes.

Furthermore, three separate Knicks rank in the top 12 in three-point field goals contested per 36 minutes. That list includes Lance Thomas at No. 3, Ntilikina at No. 8, and Kristaps Porzingis at No. 12.

That’s a product of the Knicks letting up a vast number of threes per game, but it’s also an indication that some of the core players are working to cover up for their teammates’ flaws.

Furthermore, the Knicks rank No. 2 in the NBA in offensive rebound percentage and No. 1 in second chance points per game. That’s a clear indication of how hard New York is working once a shot goes up.

The key moving forward will be playing with that same vigor and tenacity on defense, as it ranks No. 24 in second chance points allowed per contest.

As the Knicks progress through the 2017-18 NBA regular season, playing with superior energy will be the key. There are capable playmakers and scorers on the roster, but as the Knicks find their identity, effort will be the difference between victory and defeat—both in the short-term and the long-term.

Thankfully, players such as Ntilikina, Porzingis, and Thomas are already displaying those traits.

Must Read: Who stepped up with Kristaps Porzingis absent?

The New York Knicks have a unique collection of talent, but the key to sustained success will be outworking and out-hustling the opposition on a nightly basis.

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