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New York Knicks: What is and isn’t working through 15 games

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks instructs Frank Ntilikina #11 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York City. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 104-101. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks instructs Frank Ntilikina #11 during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York City. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 104-101. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 7: Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks blocks a shot against the Charlotte Hornets on November 7, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – NOVEMBER 7: Kyle O’Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks blocks a shot against the Charlotte Hornets on November 7, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Pro: Interior Defense

Since drafting Kristaps Porzingis in 2015, the New York Knicks have ranked amongst the best in the NBA in rim protection. Many are hoping to see Porzingis evolve into a Defensive Player of the Year, but it’s worth noting that he’s already one of the most influential forces in the Association.

Although there are areas in which the Knicks must improve on defense, rim protection has been a strength since the day Porzingis first donned the orange and blue.

The Knicks are on pace to rank in the top-5 in opponent field goal percentage at the rim for the second time in three seasons. The one exception, 2016-17, saw New York hold opponents to 51.8 percent shooting at the rim—good for No. 7 in the Association.

While the percentage has been steadily elite, it’s the improvement amongst the perimeter players that’s making this strength so significant.

In 2015-16, New York was No. 1 in opponent field goal percentage at the rim, but No. 23 in points in the paint allowed per 100 possessions. Despite its No. 7 ranking in the former category in 2016-17, it fell to No. 24 in points allowed in the paint per 100 possessions.

In addition to ranking No. 5 in opponent field goal percentage at the rim, New York is also No. 1 in the NBA in points allowed in the paint per 100 possessions in 2017-18.

That’s as much on perimeter players fighting harder to keep players in front of them as it is the remarkable interior players.

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