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

The New York Knicks have completed the first 15 games of the 2017-18 NBA regular season. What’s working and what isn’t for the 8-7 Knicks?

The New York Knicks have completed the first 15 games of the 2017-18 NBA regular season in better form than expected. Despite being labeled as a team with no shot whatsoever at reaching the playoffs, the Knicks are above .500 through 15 outings.

While the record may ultimately be what decides if the Knicks make the playoffs, progress should be measured in ways beyond the wins and losses.

The Knicks are in the process of rebuilding around a young core that’s flush with both untapped potential and an ideal balance of skills. The key moving forward will be cultivating a healthy culture and discovering the identity of this team.

Thankfully, the early returns have provided the Knicks with reasons for both optimism and concern—a balance that the coaching staff is likely embracing themselves.

In some areas, the Knicks have been one of the best teams in the NBA—a statement that’s devoid of hyperbole. In others, they’ve fallen behind the curve and are in need of either internally-created stability or a genuine overhaul of the current crop of specialists.

The New York Knicks are in a good place at 8-7 through 15 games. The question is: What’s been working for the Knicks and what must change?

Pro: Kristaps Porzingis

There would be no rational way to make this list without including Kristaps Porzingis as the most promising of pros. He’s been nothing short of dominant on the offensive floor, and is doing an outstanding job of anchoring the defensive interior.

Every player has room for improvement, but positivity would be a virtue with Porzingis’ splendid start to the 2017-18 regular season.

Thus far in 2017-18, Porzingis is averaging 28.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 2.0 three-point field goals made in 32.8 minutes per game. He’s doing so on a remarkably efficient slash line of .493/.406/.821.

Not only is Porzingis on pace to demolish his career-high in points per game, but he’d also set career-best marks in field goal and three-point field goal percentage.

Beyond the numbers, Porzingis has made an unequivocal leap to star status with his leadership both on and off the court. There’s no telling what kind of numbers he’ll produce all season, but the 22-year-old has earned the respect of his teammates.

If Porzingis continues to lead by example with his tenacious approach to execution on both ends of the floor, the Knicks will be better because of it.

Con: Quality Of Play On The Road

The New York Knicks have made it a point to defend at a high level during home games. It’s all still a work in progress, but the consistent theme has been that New York plays with heart and intensity at home. Unfortunately, that theme isn’t yet traveling.

If the Knicks are going to take the next step towards escaping obscurity, they must show more life during the games they play away from home.

The Knicks may be 7-3 at Madison Square Garden, but they’re just 1-4 away from home. All four of New York’s road losses have been by double-digits, with a startling average margin of defeat of 19.5 points per game.

This inexperienced Knicks team can be expected to lose games on the road, but falling victim to a steady stream of blowouts is unacceptable.

During its five road games, New York is shooting just 42.9 percent from the field and committing an average of 17.4 turnovers per outing. In addition to scoring just 94.0 points per road game, it’s allowing a demoralizing 105.8.

Whether New York reaches the playoffs or continues to build through the draft lottery, the team identity will be incomplete until it can win on the road.

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.

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.

Pro: Offensive Rebounding

The New York Knicks have an uncanny ability to dominate the offensive glass. Through 15 games, the Knicks have turned that invaluable strength into one of the foundational aspects of one of the most efficient offenses in the NBA.

The upside of what the Knicks have been able to achieve early in the 2017-18 regular season is that it should be entirely sustainable.

New York ranks No. 6 in the NBA in offensive rebounds per game with a tone-setting 11.1. More importantly, it’s No. 1 in the Association in second chance points per game at 16.5—nearly a full point more than the No. 2 team.

Thus, while the lackluster three-point shooting may be concerning, it’s a testament to the players’ will power that they consistently fight on the boards.

Thus far, the likes of Enes Kanter, Kyle O’Quinn, and Kristaps Porzingis have led the charge on the offensive glass. It’s also worth noting that, even if one of those players is on the bench, absent, or even traded, Willy Hernangomez is waiting in the wings.

The Knicks plan to be one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA, and they’re halfway to that status—and the other half is next on the list.

Con: Defensive Rebounding

The New York Knicks are one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the NBA. Unfortunately, for as brilliant as the Knicks have been on the offensive glass, they’ve struggled to a similar degree when attempting to protect the defensive glass.

New York has made significant progress as a defensive rebounding team, but there’s still room for improvement for the big men and their supporting perimeter players.

The Knicks currently rank No. 15 in offensive rebounds allowed per game. They’re also No. 20 in the Association in second chance points allowed per contest at 13.1, which has cost Jeff Hornacek’s crew dearly during both home and road games.

Both rankings could admittedly be worse, but allowing second chance points is the perfect way to damage the morale of a growing defense.

It’s possible that a returning Joakim Noah could be one of the players who helps the Knicks improve on the defensive boards. It’s also believable that the current members of the rotation could build upon the early progress.

The question is: Do the Knicks need Noah to reenter the rotation in order to improve in what remains a position of weakness?

Pro: Ball Movement

When the New York Knicks commit to moving the ball, the offense executes at a high level. When the Knicks abandon ball movement and attempt to score via isolation, the offense stalls and the end result is generally a loss.

The good news for Knicks fans is that head coach Jeff Hornacek is doing everything in his power to ensure that his players embrace the value of ball movement.

New York still has a tendency to lose sight of the system, but that’s to be expected of a young team. Even still, it ranks No. 11 in the NBA in assists per game, which has fueled its ranking of No. 9 in the Association in field goal percentage.

That combination of ball movement and efficiency has inevitably enabled the Knicks to rank No. 12 in the NBA in points per 100 possessions.

The Knicks aren’t yet an elite offensive team, but they’re much closer than in previous seasons. Jeff Hornacek is teaching players good principles, and is holding even his best of scorers to a high standard on the defensive end of the floor.

New York must be more consistent with its commitment to moving the ball, but the early signs of progress have been enough to make one question what happened to the Knicks we knew before.

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.

Pro: Defending Home Court

One of the most important steps in the resurrection of an organization is the reestablishment of a home court advantage. Winning on the road is important for every team, but the Knicks have a unique situation due to the way Madison Square Garden brings the best out of opponents.

If the first few weeks of the 2017-18 NBA regular season are a sign of things to come, then the home court advantage could be back again.

Thus far in 2017-18, the Knicks are 8-7 overall and 7-3 at Madison Square Garden. In addition to winning seven of its first 10 games at home, New York has consistently elevated its level of play when it’s hosting a game in Manhattan.

The numbers will display the areas in which the Knicks have improved, but the key to the return of the orange and blue has been the raw energy the team brings to MSG.

The end result is that New York is averaging 109.8 points scored and 105.1 points allowed per 100 possessions at home. Unfortunately, those numbers lose their luster on the road, where the Knicks are scoring 94.0 points per 100 possessions while allowing 107.0.

It will take more than a 10-game run to reclaim Madison Square Garden, but the ground is shaking because the Knicks are making New York its city again.

Con: First Half Defense

The New York Knicks consistently step up on the defensive end of the floor during the second half of games. The issue during the first half, however, is that the feeling out period tends to last too long, as teams continue to find openings in New York’s defense.

The Knicks have often been exceptional in the third and fourth quarters, but the first half hasn’t been quite as kind in 2017-18.

If the Knicks are going to become a consistently difficult team to defeat, then they must be able to execute from the opening tip. Starting out slow and closing hot works in theory, but it would be far more effective to maintain a steady pace throughout a full four quarters.

The growing pains may be present due to the general inexperience of the players, but there’s no excuse for how poorly the Knicks have defended in the first and second quarters..

Thus far in 2017-18, the Knicks are allowing what would equate to 107.9 points per 100 possessions during the first quarter. That’s set the tone for a number of games, as the Knicks suddenly become come-from-behind specialists.

Instead of having to erase a deficit, the Knicks must work all four quarters and pace themselves to secure a more balanced victory.

Pro: The Point Guard Rotation

The New York Knicks changed the trajectory of the season by naming Jarrett Jack the starting point guard and Frank Ntilikina the first guard off the bench. Jack’s veteran leadership and Ntilikina’s otherworldly two-way potential have been instrumental to New York’s early success.

Ramon Sessions isn’t a complete afterthought, but Jack and Ntilikina have been two of the stars of the surprising 8-7 start to the 2017-18 regular season.

Jack has been the veteran facilitator for a franchise that has been desperately needing a player who can set the table for the scorers. He’s averaging 5.5 assists to just 1.7 turnovers per game, which is good for an assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.27.

For what it’s worth: Jack is on pace to become the first Knick to average at least 5.0 assists per game since Raymond Felton in 2013-14.

As for Ntilikina, he’s already looking the part of an elite ball hawk, infuriating defender, and capable playmaker. He ranks in the top five in the NBA in both steals per game and deflections per 36 minutes, and i showing signs of being a dynamic facilitator himself.

It was an uncertain situation entering the 2017-18 NBA regular season, but the Knicks appear to have struck a solid balance between experience and potential at the point guard position.

Con: Willy Hernangomez

Let’s get something out of the way before we proceed with this topic of conversation. The New York Knicks aren’t necessarily underutilizing Willy Hernangomez, as the scheme they’re committing to calls for the centers to provide what both Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn have succeeded in producing.

Having established that, one still can’t help but feel discouraged by the fact that Hernangomez has been unable to secure consistent playing time in 2017-18.

Kanter and O’Quinn have played well, but Hernangomez is widely regarded as the Knicks’ future at the center position. At 23 years of age, he’s already one of the most polished low-post scorers and offensive rebounders in the NBA.

That much was proven by his averages of 8.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.4 offensive boards, and 1.3 assists in just 18.4 minutes per game during his rookie season.

Thus far in 2017-18, however, Hernangomez has appeared in just eight of New York’s 15 games. He’s played relatively well when he’s been on the court, but a vast majority of his minutes have come in garbage time.

It’s fair to believe that Hernangomez will be back in the rotation sooner than later, but his presence on the back end of the bench has been discouraging—fair or foul.

Pro: Jeff Hornacek

Over the course of the first three games of the 2017-18 NBA regular season, impatient fans were calling for head coach Jeff Hornacek to be fired. 12 games later, Hornacek is orchestrating one of the best offenses and most promising defenses of the James Dolan era.

Coaches may not be the glamorous figures that franchise players are, but it would be insincere to complete this list without praising Hornacek.

Through 15 games, the Knicks rank No. 9 in both field goal percentage and opponent field goal percentage. There are areas in which the Knicks must improve—we’ve discussed that at length—but those two facts are nothing if not encouraging.

New York is also putting up104.5 points per game, which would be its highest scoring average since 2010-11.

Clearly, the Knicks will need to see consistent progress from the players and coaching staff. That may or may not equate to victories, but regardless of the outcome of games, Hornacek must continue to create the culture that he and general manager Scott Perry are attempting to bring back to New York.

Over the course of the first 15 games of the 2017-18 NBA regular season, however, Hornacek has helped create the formula for sustainable success.

Must Read: Who are the 25 greatest players in New York Knicks history?

It’s still early, but the progress made by the New York Knicks during the early 2017-18 season has been undeniable.