Heading Into Houston, The New York Knicks Have A Problem

The New York Knicks are coming off a 106-98 defeat to the Indiana Pacers for their third lost in a row. Will the Knicks be able to take off in Houston?

Before the New York Knicks land in Houston to take on the Rockets, let’s take a look at the Houston Rocket’s new look line up and how the Knicks stack up.

The Houston Rockets have traded Clint Capela, and the pick & role, for an open court, no post-up game. By bringing in Robert Covington, a true 3 & D player, they are challenging teams to come out and play five three-point shooters. Along with a renewed intensity on defense, they defeated the Boston Celtics by 11.

The Rockets hardly used their bench and still the Celtics were unable to take advantage of Houston’s lack of height. Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter were no match for the Rockets’ double teams down low and Boston did not shoot the ball well from outside.

Houston’s defense has proven to be suffocating since the trade and their new offense is designed to unleash the Russell Westbrook triple double machine.

Since the trade, a four game sampling, Westbrook has averaged 33.5 minutes and 30 points per game while shooting 56% from the field and 37.5% from deep. Westbrook is also picking up 7 boards and 7.5 dimes over the last four games.

It may be a case of when you have lemons (Harden & Westbrook together) you make lemonade. Certainly, opponents will have to adjust their game plans and juggle their lineups until solutions can be found to combat this unique approach. Hats off to Mike D’Antoni and/or Daryl Morey.

Based on last nights rotation, the upcoming Houston game raises an interesting question. Should the New York Knicks adjust their rotation to counter Houston’s unique lineup? The Knicks could play big but only if Julius Randle and Bobby Portis are hitting their outside shots.

The Rocket defense, yes they play D, suffocated Jayson Tatum not allowing him to hit from three. P.J. Tucker and Covington are exceptional defenders, as is Thabo Sefolosha coming off the bench. DeMarre Carroll, Danuel house, Ben McLemore, Westbrook and Harden all hustle and communicate to create a swarming defense.

Randle puts the ball on the deck and dribbles into crowds. The Houston defense will make his offense miserable. On the other hand, if he warms up from three, digs in against Covington and slashes to the rim, he will have a big game. He needs to commit to the three and not be bothered by misses. Randle has a nice outside touch.

Mike Miller could roll the dice and sit his one way players Randle, Portis, Kevin Knox and Dennis Smith Jr. (If Payton is healthy).

Most likely, he will stick with his normal rotation and we will be treated once again to a defensive effort that relies on opponents missing wide open threes. At least the Rocket’s pick and roll game will be absent.

The success of our traditional rotation will depend on out muscling and out-scoring the Rockets. The NBA equivalent of the NFL’s ground and pound. Not very effective when you have a 24 second clock and there is an explosive offense relentlessly coming back at you.

When their men set screens now, will Randle and company aggressively switch, or lie back and leave their teammates one on two ? The coach can propose, but the players dispose on the floor. The poor defenders will quickly wilt under the pressure to put maximum effort into playing D.

Big ball or small, Mitchell Robinson is an asset because of his length, quickness and defensive anticipation. As everyone knows, he must avoid fouls and remain on the floor. The most effective small ball rotation would have Taj Gibson and Ignas Brazdeikis at the 4. RJ Barrett, Reggie Bullock, Damyean Dotson, or Moe Harkless at the 2 & 3. Elfrid Payton and Ntilikina would man the point. All these guys play some D.

The New York Knicks’ smaller lineup wouldn’t do any worse than the taller one, and it will make for a more interesting look at how this new Houston offense should be attacked.