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The Knicks have gone from dead last to respectable in one major area

By Josh Wiesel

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on October 04, 2022 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 117-96. 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 - OCTOBER 04: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks in action against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on October 04, 2022 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 117-96. 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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When the New York Knicks signed Jalen Brunson this offseason, the optimism was that the Knicks finally had someone to handle and facilitate the basketball. Brunson had a career-high 4.8 assists per game with the Dallas Mavericks last season. Nearly five assists per game does not stand out, but Brunson was playing with Luka Doncic who had the highest usage in the entire NBA last season.

In 17 games last season without Luka, Brunson controlled the offense with his 7.5 assists per game. He also averaged 20 points while pulling down four rebounds in Luka’s absence.

This was the version of Brunson the Knicks were hoping could jumpstart their offense.

Passing and team basketball has been an issue in New York for years now. It was an issue before Tom Thibodeau was hired, but in his first two seasons coaching the Knicks, they finished 29th and 30th in assists per game. Add poor passing numbers to a low-scoring team, and the offense the last few years has not been fun to watch.

Although we are just getting into the 2022-23 NBA season, New York has shown more commitment to sharing and scoring the ball.

Knicks are playing improved team basketball

Through the early part of the season, the Knicks rank in the top 10 in assists per game (27.0). It’s an encouraging start from a team that averaged 21.9 assists per game last season. The Knicks have out-assisted a majority of their opponents to start the season.

An increase in ball movement has also helped them rank toward the top in points per game (119.0), and also at the top of the league in shots per game (99.0). This is vastly different from the 2021-22 Knicks that averaged 106.5 points per game (26th) and attempted the 24th fewest shot attempts per game at 86.2.

They rank 19th in pace which is an improvement, but the best version of this team can be unlocked by playing faster. Pace can give New York a new identity this season.

Potential assists and assist points created are on the rise. After finishing dead last in potential assists last season at 41.2 per game, the Knicks are in the top 10 this season. New York has also generated more assist points created and will look to continue creating offense off passes.

Ball movement should only create better chemistry, and defenses will have a hard time slowing down the Knicks, who know how to find their open teammates. It also creates a better, more efficient offense that this team has been needing.

Point guard Jalen Brunson has been steadily facilitating the offense, averaging seven assists per game. Brunson should be in a position to crush his career-high in assists per game and will be New York’s reliable hand all season.

Here are some clips highlighting the great ball movement to start the season:

People have been wanting to see the Knicks score more points and show a somewhat new offensive identity, and this is a good start.

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