New York Knicks: How does Kevin Knox fit into the long-term plan?
By Adam Kester
Improving his defense
If Kevin Knox’s numbers on offense were better, we could live with him being a bad defender. I would love for Knox to be an offensive spark plug off of the bench but shooting 36 percent from the field isn’t going to cut it.
Looking at Knox’s defense, there is neither a statistic nor an attribute to his game that has shown he is even an average defender. He currently ranks 485th out of 504 NBA players in Defensive RPM (Real Plus/Minus).
While I’m not saying he needs to make some sort of quantum leap and become an elite defender, Knox needs to show that he’s capable. Until Knox shows he can put it together on offense, he needs to prove that he can contribute on defense.
One way I can see Knox getting there is by adding strength in the offseason. Knox has a stocky build and a physical profile that projects him as a player who can potentially defend in the post.
Even if Knox spends the majority of his time on the perimeter, having the ability to switch onto big-men and match their strength could be an attainable goal for Knox.
Knox has a 6’11 wingspan and needs to use it more effectively. While Knox’s foot speed guarding players has looked slow, he can still utilize his arms to be disruptive.
If Knox can show that he is capable of guarding multiple positions and that he is making strides as a defender, maybe he could be a versatile wing player for the Knicks next season. If not, there seems to only be one other solution for the 20-year-old.