Evaluating Reggie Bullock’s influence on the Knicks’ early success

The improved play of Reggie Bullock has had a huge impact on the NY Knicks’ surprising 15-17 start.

After missing a large chunk of his first season with the NY Knicks due to shoulder surgery, the 29-year old shooting specialist has performed admirably as a starter. Julius Randle’s All-Star ascension, Immanuel Quickley’s immediate impact, and RJ Barrett’s second-year leap dominate most of the headlines, but Bullock has quietly stepped up his game.

His averages of 8.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game on 41-38-81 shooting splits seem modest, but his effect goes deeper than the box score.

Randle has vastly improved his three-point percentage, but most teams are still willing to let him fire away from behind the arc, leaving Bullock as the lone shooting threat in the starting lineup. It’s important that he keeps defenses honest so driving lanes open up for Randle, Barrett, and Elfrid Payton.

In games where Bullock connects on at least two three-point shots, the Knicks are 10-3. In games where he hasn’t hit a three, the Knicks are just 1-6.

Bullock has also made strides on defense, holding his own on the less glamorous end of the court. He’s usually matched up against opposing teams’ top wing player each night and he’s been up to the challenge on more than one occasion.

Per NBA.com, he’s spent over 42 minutes this season individually guarding past and future All-Stars such as Russell Westbrook, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Victor Oladipo, and Zach LaVine. In that span, those six players have shot a combined 12-40 against Bullock, including a ridiculous 1-19 from three.

The Knicks have had problems in recent years with contesting three-pointers, but it seems like the 8-year veteran is doing his part to help alleviate the issue.

Another encouraging sign is that Bullock still has room to improve. He’s shooting just 37% on corner threes despite being a career 42% shooter from that distance. If he can get his corner three percentage up closer to his career average, his total three-point percentage is going to increase as well.

He’s also shooting 41% on catch-and-shoot threes this season compared to just 20% on pull-up attempts. If he can stick to strictly firing off passes from his teammates then he should see his numbers bump up even further.

Bullock has also stepped up in high-pressure situations. When the score of the game is within 5 points or less, he’s shooting 40% from three. In 4th quarters alone, he’s shooting 46% from downtown. With less than 3 minutes left in any quarter? Bullock is hitting an even 50% of his three-point attempts in those scenarios.

The NY Knicks have found themselves in the middle of the playoff picture and figure to remain in postseason contention for a while. There are many reasons for their newfound success but a fair amount of credit is due to Reggie Bullock, who has stepped up as the 3&D player that every contending NBA team covets.