NY Knicks: 3 goals Tom Thibodeau should set for Kevin Knox

1) Tweak Kevin Knox’s 3 point shot profile

Kevin Knox had an interesting shot profile during the 2019-20 season. Per NBA Stats, almost half of Knox’s shots came from behind the three-point arc. Knox shot 36% from the field, which is pitiful by any NBA standard. His 39% from 2 is only low due to the fact that he shot less than 33% on 80% of his 2-point field goal attempts. The main driver of Knox’s low FG% is that he shot 33% from three. However, Knox’s shot profile of his threes that raises a lot of curiosity in the context of the modern NBA.

Per NBA Shot Charts (a site created by Ryan Davis), here is Knox’s overall shot chart:

In 65 games, Knox averaged 1 made three/game on 3.1 attempts. Of the 3.1 attempts, almost 2.5 attempts were catch-and-shoot threes. This falls in line with Knox’s overall shot profile, especially since 92% of his threes come off assists. Interestingly enough, 2.5 of those 3 attempts are catch-and-shoot jump shots.

Interestingly, Knox was a below average scorer off the catch in all capacities. Knox shot 31% from catch-and-shoot 3s, yet he shot 43% from pull-up threes (albeit with a limited sample size of 0.5 threes/game). Had Knox attempted more pull-up threes, he would have been in the top 5 amongst all qualifying players. With 1 or 2 dribbles, Knox shot 42% and a whopping 67% from three, respectively.

Coincidentally, many of those pull-up attempts came up from the strong-side wing, which actually ended up being one of his most preferred and proficient three-point zones. Of 61 attempts, Knox made 25 threes for a 41% clip, which is an above average percentage for a 20-year-old sophomore. Knox only attempted more shots from the weak side (left) wing where he attempted 65 shots, but only made 22 threes (33%). If there’s any solace to a disappointing season, Knox’s three-point shooting from the wings is already at or above league average with even more room for improvement.

Because of the above, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Knox struggles from shooting corner 3s. Knox attempted 25% of his threes from the corner, but only at a 27% clip, which is well below average compared to his perimeter-oriented counterparts. The corner 3-point shot should be made around 35-37%, at the bare minimum, to be considered a great perimeter scorer.

For Knox to jumpstart his development, he should continue to capitalize on hitting threes from the strong side wing. Thibs should consider developing sets to get Knox more opportunities there. Additionally, Knox should be given more opportunities to take pull up threes. When Knox takes a couple dribbles, he’s able to make open threes at above a league average rate.

Furthermore, Thibs should motivate Knox to improve his percentages from corner 3. Improving the corner 3 also helps unlock opportunities for Knox to become an off-ball threat. Knox can then utilize UCLA cuts to get open layups or dunks.