New York Knicks shut down the Chicago Bulls: 2 takeaways from the win

The New York Knicks have an elite defense

Newsflash.

This is something we knew, but this game really drove it home. What a defensive display by this team.

This game had some unstoppable force vs. immovable object hype to it before the game.

The 4-0 Bulls and their offensive firepower vs. the New York Knicks stifling defense. It was New York won the battle.

It was a classic Tom Thibodeau game plan. Overload the star perimeter players with double teams and force other players to make a play.

In this case, it was double teams on Zach LaVine, forcing Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams, or whoever else to make a play.

Lonzo Ball didn’t step up. DeMar DeRozan shot 7/18.

This Bulls team had not faced a defense quite like this. Heading into the game, the Knicks were already in the top-5 in defensive field goal percentage.

The suffocating defense clearly got to LaVine, who was clearly frustrated towards the end of the game.

LaVine, DeRozan, and Ball combined to shoot 16/43 from the field — 37%.

This defense is getting scarier. There is so much speed and strength to deal with at every position. Randle and Toppin in the frontcourt, Barrett and Fournier have great size on the perimeter, and Mitchell Robinson has been an absolute tank in the middle. Makes life difficult for anyone driving to the rim.

All of the talk about New York thus far this season has been about the improved offense but don’t let it overshine just how special this defense is. This team is legit.