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3 areas where Knicks’ Cam Reddish can improve for 2022-2023 season

By Geoffrey Campbell

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 25: Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat in action against Cam Reddish #21 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 25, 2022 in New York City. The Heat defeated the Knicks 115-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 25: Gabe Vincent #2 of the Miami Heat in action against Cam Reddish #21 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 25, 2022 in New York City. The Heat defeated the Knicks 115-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks, Cam Reddish
Cam Reddish, New York Knicks. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Defense (Part 1)

After the 2020-2021 season, the Knicks finished with the fourth-best defensive rating in the league. This past season, the orange and blue dropped to 11th in defensive rating and 27th in steals per game but were still top five in defensive field goal percentage.

Thus far, Reddish has not developed a reputation as a ball hawk. However, advanced stats suggest that he’s no sieve by any means. Per Cleaningtheglass.com, Reddish has finished each season of his career ranked above the 75th percentile in steal percentage.

It’s clear that defense needs to be a priority if a player is going to crack and stay in coach Thibs’ rotation. Reddish did not get much playing time upon arrival, and even when he did, the lack of chemistry on both ends of the floor was apparent.

The Athletic’s Fred Katz wrote extensively about the “Early Group” (subscription required)  — an early group of players practicing prior to the team’s regularly scheduled practice including all of the young players 24 and under. Players like Quickley and Toppin spoke glowingly about how this improved their development.

Due to when Reddish was traded, he didn’t get much time with this group. One of his goals/priorities for the 2022-2023 season has to be to attend the “Early Group” as much as possible to work on defensive positioning and chemistry with his teammates. Mitchell Robinson was another player who benefitted from Thibs’ individual attention, and there’s no reason Reddish can’t as well.

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