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New York Knicks: Takeaways from the preseason finale

By Rob Wolkenbrod

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 12: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 12: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on October 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 12: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the New York Knicks on October 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 12: Caris LeVert #22 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the New York Knicks on October 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks lost their last preseason game, but players still made an impression against the Brooklyn Nets.

The New York Knicks finished their preseason schedule with Friday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, losing it 113-107. It dropped them to 3-2—winning the first three and losing the final two, before Wednesday’s season opener against the Atlanta Hawks.

These five games acted as a test for the Knicks, who showcased new talents from free agency and the draft. It came to fruition with the finale, which flashed positives and negatives for not just the 48 minutes, but the potential expectations for 2018-19.

So what takeaways developed from New York’s loss to Brooklyn? Let’s take a look, as the five day gap between games transpires:

Defensive woes from the perimeter

The New York Knicks were notorious for poor perimeter defense in the 2017-18 season. Under a new head coach, that was thought to change, but in this one-game sample size, it proved more of the same.

Brooklyn was efficient from outside range, with a 15-37 mark (40.5 percent). Seven of their nine players hit a three-point shot, as well, including all five members of the starting lineup.

When the Nets attempted shots from behind the arc, more often than not, they were uncontested. Whether they found an opening off a screen or pulled up with ease, it was free reign for players like Caris LeVert and D’Angelo Russell.

Few Knicks are known for their perimeter defense. Frank Ntilikina, Lance Thomas and Ron Baker stand out, but Tim Hardaway Jr., Kevin Knox and Trey Burke—three likely starters—have work to do to improve at this end of the court.

It will be a season-long process to improve defensively, especially as head coach David Fizdale looks to change the culture. In a rebuilding year, patience is possible in this area, but sometimes frustratingly.

Aside from Ntilikina, this roster probably won’t contend for a defensive award, but if they desire competitiveness in the Eastern Conference, keeping up with the high caliber teams requires consistent work at both ends of the floor.

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