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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: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks in action 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) Courtney Lee #5 of the New York Knicks in action 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) /

Con: Three-Point Shooting

In addition to allowing the opposition to shoot the lights out from beyond the arc, the New York Knicks are struggling to maintain an effective pace. Going shot-for-shot would be irrational, but the Knicks have struggled to merely shoot at the level expected of them.

Poor shooting percentages should stabilize, but the Knicks have underachieved from beyond the arc—especially when one considers how well the ball has been moving.

New York currently ranks No. 27 in the NBA in three-point field goals made per game at a mere 8.5. It’s also No. 27 in three-point field goals attempted per game, which offsets the benefits of ranking a somewhat respectable No. 16 in three-point field goal percentage.

The Knicks don’t need to become the Houston Rockets, but they must be able to shoot with better efficiency if they’re going to encourage more attempts.

One of the primary reasons for the Knicks’ inconsistency from distance is the fact that Tim Hardaway Jr. is shooting 31.6 percent from beyond the arc. He’s turned things around since the beginning of the season, but his ability to space the floor will be crucial to sustained team success.

Once the likes of Hardaway, Courtney Lee, Doug McDermott, Frank Ntilikina, and Kristaps Porzingis find their collective rhythm, the three-point shooting should improve.

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