In modern-day basketball, every team needs players who can shoot the ball and spread the floor. This is no different for the NY Knicks.
While in the old school game of basketball a team could get away with a physical style of play in the paint with very little to no shooting, in today’s NBA, shooting and defense is the recipe for success.
With that being said, Head Coach Tom Thibodeau runs a defensive-minded system with a lot of three-point shooting on the offensive side.
Under Thibs, players naturally have an easier time finding their shooting stroke and shoot the three at a much higher percentage.
This season, before being traded to the Knicks, Derrick Rose was shooting 33.3% from three, but after joining the Knicks, Rose has shot the three at a 40.9% clip per Basketball-Reference.
Who do you think the NY Knicks could draft to help bolster the team’s shooting?
Rose has become the best point guard on the team and many believe he should start over Elfrid Payton due to the success he’s had from behind the arc amongst other categories.
Reggie Bullock also went from shooting 33.3% last season to 40.6% from three this season under Thibodeau according to ESPN.
Not only does Thibodeau help his team generate more three-point attempts, but he also gets his players better looks which in turn, bolsters both their percentages and confidence.
There is a direct correlation between coach Thibs and success from beyond the arc, which is a massive reason why the Knicks must look to surround fill their squad with shooters.
In this year’s draft, there are so many great shooters that coach Thibodeau can plug into his system and get the best out of those guys.
Adding shooters to this young and talented group could really help this team compete amongst the best teams in the NBA.
Next, I will be talking about three specific shooters in this year’s draft that, if added, will help already one of the best defensive units in the NBA improve on the offensive side of the ball.