4 Statistics the Knicks must improve to not disappoint next season
![New York Knicks forward Julius Randle with guard Jalen Brunson Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports New York Knicks forward Julius Randle with guard Jalen Brunson Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/419bbc73cb38c061efa257cc750056e2d5617a624d6596a5c467d82405c3cdcb.jpg)
1. Pace
While having the fastest pace in the league isn’t the end all be all for a team, it would undoubtedly help New York to run a much quicker offense, given their personnel. While giving Brunson, Randle, and Barrett their consistent isolation plays is nice to watch, the offense would be much more efficient without running them all the time.
Last season, the Knicks ranked 26th in pace with 97.75 possessions per game. While some of the better teams in the league, like the Nuggets, Cavaliers, and 76ers, have similar numbers, they have very different personnel that makes it possible to run a slower yet efficient offense. While the Knicks can and have been doing this, it certainly seems like the team would benefit by speeding things up a bit.
Whether it be using Randle and Barrett in the off-ball more, not running the shot clock out several possessions a game, or even getting out in transition faster, it’s very possible to see change starting early next season.
The offense doesn’t have to change drastically, but small changes need to happen if the Knicks want to make their championship push. Allowing Brunson, Randle, and Barrett to dribble the shot clock out every possession is not going to get the Knicks far in the playoffs. Hopefully, we will see Thibodeau introduce more off-ball screens and cuts to free up shooters and take advantage of New York’s talent.