New York Knicks’ atrocious free throw shooting is no longer a blip
The New York Knicks cannot make free throws. 11 games in, this is more than just a problem to push aside.
The 2019-20 New York Knicks have issues. That much was made clear by the awkward, impromptu presser on Sunday night. To potentially fix them, coach David Fizdale is on the hot seat just 11 games into the season. Whether he is the problem or not, other aspects of this miserable 2-9 start fall of the players.
The most glaring, troubling sign is the free throw line. Yes, supposedly the simplest shot to make in basketball. The Knicks, as of Nov. 13, are last in the NBA in free throw percentage at 65.1. Even worse, they are sixth in attempts from the charity stripe, so they are finding free opportunities often.
That leads to the cover-your-eyes numbers from each player as just two of them have a percentage higher than 80. Only half of the following players have shot above 70 percent. The results have been that poor:
- Elfrid Payton: 83.3 percent
- Marcus Morris: 81.4 percent
- Allonzo Trier: 76.2 percent
- Mitchell Robinson: 73.3 percent
- Bobby Portis: 71.4 percent
- Taj Gibson: 71.4 percent
- Damyean Dotson: 66.7 percent
- Kevin Knox: 65.6 percent
- Julius Randle: 63.2 percent
- Frank Ntilikina: 50 percent
- Dennis Smith Jr.: 50 percent
- RJ Barrett: 44.8 percent
Some of those players have not appeared enough to create an established number, including Dotson and Smith Jr. However, the others have taken consistent roles for most, if not all, of the 11 games, making the results indefensible.
Barrett’s number is cringeworthy. While he has been one of the Knicks’ top players, the inability to make these gimme shots have dampened the kind of impact he could make. Granted, his free throw numbers at Duke were not impressive, at 66.5 percent on 224 attempts, but 44.8 percent in the NBA, especially for someone with 67 attempts, is eons below the league average.
A turnaround, however, can improve Barrett’s confidence and enhance an already impressive 16 points per game as a rookie. Plus, his 35.9 percent three-point shooting has been a welcomed surprise. It is just 11 games into his career, so he should improve at some point.
Still, for most of the roster to consistently miss the shots that keep them in games is mind-boggling, including for the Knicks’ most disappointing player so far, Julius Randle, whose overall scoring numbers have taken a hit.
The Knicks know Randle is in a larger role than usual. Fizdale told SNY’s Ian Begley in early November:
"“It’s a lot that we’re asking of him,” David Fizdale said last week. “(Previously in his) career all he’s been asked to do – for the most part – is score. And so now he’s juggling (the additional responsibilities) and trying to figure it out. And I think step-by-step, he’ll get there.”"
Randle’s New Orleans Pelicans numbers, though, warranted that after topping 20 points and eight rebounds in a breakout season. Along with 52.4 percent shooting, he took advantage of an Anthony Davis-less situation and earned a fresh contract—a team-high payday.
Instead, missed free throws are just a microcosm of his disappointing start. His 42.4 percent shooting is disappointing, and the 3.9 turnovers per game are eye-opening when his usage rate is actually three percentage points lower than 2018-19.
Down the roster, Portis has struggled mightily, besides the “Revenge Game” against his old team, the Chicago Bulls. Kevin Knox has hit more shots, but his free throw percentage has also taken a hit. Everyone else is just inconsistent, and for it to be a team-wide problem is a concern.
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The New York Knicks are broken, and there may not be a resolution on this roster. Improved free throw shooting can soften the blow, but it will not cure all.