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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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NEW YORK,NY – NOVEMBER 13 : Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York, New York Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK,NY – NOVEMBER 13 : Kyle Korver #26 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 13, 2017 in New York, New York Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Con: Defending The Three-Point Line

If one were to limit their focus to the interior, the New York Knicks have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. If one were to limit their focus to the perimeter, however, the evaluation would be closer to the opposite end of the spectrum.

The perimeter players have been significantly better on defense in 2017-18 than they were in 2016-17, but that success hasn’t yet translated to defending the three-point shot.

New York currently ranks No. 29 in the NBA in opponent three-point field goals made per game. With a rounded-up average of 12.7 three-point field goals allowed per contest, the Knicks are giving up 38.0 points per game from beyond the arc alone.

By giving up 38 points from distance, the Knicks are creating a disadvantage for both the interior defenders and the Knicks’ offense.

It’s plausible that the Knicks could improve by season’s end, but there have been minimal signs of improvement. New York is allowing 12.4 three-point field goals made per game during its seven wins, which displays that its issues aren’t limited to losses.

If the Knicks are going to compete for the playoffs in either 2017-18 or a future season, they must be able to defend the three-point line at a more consistent level.

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