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Knicks Rumors: Pros and cons of hiring Mike Budenholzer

By Maxwell Ogden

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 8: Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks coaches against the LA Clippers on January 8, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 8: Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks coaches against the LA Clippers on January 8, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 02: Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 2, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 02: Coach Mike Budenholzer of the Atlanta Hawks looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 2, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Pro: Defensive Specialist

Mike Budenholzer has an extensive history of coaching in the NBA. We’ll cover his experience soon enough, but what Budenholzer has proven throughout his career is that he’s a brilliant defensive strategist who knows how to get his players to buy in.

Despite leading a team that lacked a true rim protector, he helped the Atlanta Hawks become one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.

Atlanta was already a solid defensive team before Budenholzer took over, but he took it to an elite level. The Hawks finished the 2014-15 season ranked No. 7 in the NBA in defensive efficiency and No. 6 in opponent field goal percentage—and that was just the beginning of the ascension.

Atlanta ranked No. 2 in the NBA in defensive efficiency and No. 1 in opponent field goal percentage during the 2015-16 campaign, as well as No. 6 in opponent three field goal percentage.

Despite losing defensive anchor Al Horford to the Boston Celtics in free agency, the Hawks were still elite on defense in 2016-17. Budenholzer’s crew finished the regular season ranked No. 4 in defensive efficiency and No. 5 in opponent field goal percentage.

For a New York Knicks team that hasn’t ranked in the top 10 in defensive efficiency since 2011-12, Budenholzer could be the coach who turns the franchise around.

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