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

By Vivek Dadhania

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks runs back to defend against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. The Utah Jazz won, 112-104. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 04: Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks runs back to defend against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Madison Square Garden on March 04, 2020 in New York City. The Utah Jazz won, 112-104. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 20: Bobby Portis #1 and Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks go up for the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 20, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 20: Bobby Portis #1 and Kevin Knox II #20 of the New York Knicks go up for the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 20, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3) Improve Kevin Knox’s rebounding

Part of becoming a better defender – or a better defense from a team perspective – is learning how to secure rebounds on both ends of the floor. Securing offensive rebounds helps avoid fast break opportunities the other way due to uneven floor spacing. Securing defensive rebounds helps reduce easy second chance scoring opportunities.

Kevin Knox did neither of those two during the first two seasons of his career. Knox averaged a paltry 2.8 rebounds/game off the bench (or 5.7 rebounds/36 minutes). His rebounding percentage of 7.2% ranks around the same level as reserve point guards in the NBA. To keep it honest, these numbers do not look good in any capacity for any forward in the NBA.

Time after time, the NBA gods punish teams who aren’t able to secure rebounds. The 2012-13 San Antonio Spurs were one rebound away from winning the 2013 NBA Finals. With Knox’s ability to be a stretch forward in the NBA, it’s equally imperative to secure rebounds to get out in transition and exploit his talents as a potentially elite perimeter shooter.

Part of the improvement can come with increasing strength – especially lower body strength – in the offseason. Lower body strength will help Knox with boxing out his opponents. Additionally, proper technique and footwork can also abet with becoming a better rebounder over time.

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Thibs must help reinforce the importance of rebounding into Kevin Knox. Perhaps Thibs can help instill the voracity for grabbing boards akin to his days as a player at New Britain High School.

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