3 ways Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau can improve for 2023 season

3. Share the rock

Alluded to on the previous page, the Knicks did not do a good job getting assists last season. Julius Randle paced the team with 5.1 per game from the PF/C position. That ranked Randle 28th in the NBA in assists per game. The team not getting many assists would have been a fine approach if they were winning games. In 2020-21, they ranked 29th in assists but were able to counter that by winning 41 games. A one year model that proved unsustainable last season.

The area the Knicks greatly struggled in passing was creating potential assists. Ranking last in potential assists, it was a team that not only struggled to get assists but struggled to put teammates in spots to succeed. Unsurprisingly, they finished tied for 29th in secondary assists and 28th in assist points created. You’ll find the NBA champion Golden State Warriors at or near the top of the list for assists per game, passes made, secondary assists, potential assists, and assist points created.

Relying too heavily on isolation is an area that made the Knicks’ offense inefficient. They averaged 8.8 isolations per game last season, eighth-most in the NBA.

This is where they ranked in various isolation categories, showing glaring inefficiencies:

Points per possession: 0.84 (26th)

Points: 7.4 (12th)

FG%: 35.6% (28th)

Score frequency percentage: 38.7% (27th)

Percentile: 13.8 (26th)

Despite having the eighth-most isolations per game, the Knicks ranked in the bottom half of the important categories in the stat. This is something that will have to improve, because clearly the ‘I’ll do it myself’ mantra didn’t work out too well last season. Jalen Brunson’s arrival brings some hope of improved ball movement with someone that can be a real point guard. That increased tempo can open up the offense and create more quick assist opportunities.

Coach Tom Thibodeau is going to have to adapt and play a style he may not be fully comfortable with, or the Knicks could once again be searching for a new man to lead the helm.

3 reasons Knicks will be improved and compete in the East in 2022-23

After a historically good Eastern Conference in 2021-22, the Knicks were left on the outside. Here's to a new season and 2022-23 turnaround in New York.