Over the past four years, the Knicks have had their best basketball run in two decades, making the playoffs three times and winning two playoff series.
Defense has been a central theme of the club’s recent success. The Knicks have ranked in the top 11 in defensive efficiency three of the last four seasons.
Now, after trading for Mikal Bridges as part of a successful agreement with the Brooklyn NetsThe Knicks have assembled their best team in at least a decade on paper. The addition of Bridges gives new York its best recent collection of talent, especially in defense.
Last season, the Knicks finished ninth in defensive efficiency, allowing 112.4 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA statistics.
The combination of bridges and OG Anunoby Both players will give offenses nightmares and should make the Knicks defense even better. Both players excel in one-on-one defense against the best offensive players. And both players are also effective in the help positions.
Anunoby has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and can play all five positions in certain situations. When he joined the Knicks midway through the season, New York’s defense transformed instantly. In Anunoby’s 802 minutes on the court, the Knicks allowed 100.9 points per 100 possessions, a number that would have ranked first in the NBA.
Bridges has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and can play four positions. He can impact smaller guards and gives the Knicks another versatile defender.
Departure center Mitchell Robinson proved himself early on in the NBA All-Defensive Team before an injury derailed his 2023-24 season. Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride And Precious Achiuwa are all defenders plus. Only stars Jalen Brunson And Julius Randle are average to mediocre defenders in New York’s nine-man rotation.
One of the weaknesses of Knicks teams in the past was their lack of versatility in defending against different lineups in the NBA. Now, New York is better equipped to deploy multiple defensive strategies. With Robinson on the court, the Knicks can defend the pick-and-roll with the center in drop coverage where he can stay back in the paint. The team can also rely on Achiuwa at center and rotate pick-and-rolls between multiple positions.
With the long arms and athleticism of Anunoby and Bridges wreaking havoc on the perimeter, New York can also flirt with trapping schemes, extra pressure and help in ways they haven’t been able to in the past.
Potential weaknesses
New York’s defense is questionable. The Knicks do have quality defenders throughout the team, though. Only Anunoby, Bridges and Hart stand out as versatile defenders capable of defending forwards.
The team is rather small at the back end with Brunson (6’2″), McBride (6’2″) and DiVincenzo (6’4″). If one of their fullbacks gets hurt, it could lead to even smaller lineups. Plus, the Knicks are going to need more from Randle, who has been listless at times on defense.
Robinson is an imposing defensive force in the paint, but one concern will be how the Knicks put him on the court against teams with big three-point shooters. Eastern contenders like the Boston Celtics And Milwaukee Bucks feature centers like Kristaps Porzingis And Brook Lopez, who excel from beyond the arc. Robinson is often reluctant to get out to the three-point line. That could be a challenge the Knicks will have to adapt to.
There are other good defenses in the NBA. Behind the efforts of players like Rudy Gobert And Jaden McDanielsTHE Minnesota Timberwolves ranked first last year and retained most of its core. The Celtics, Orlando Magic And Oklahoma City Thunder will also be in the conversation. With the amount of defensive ability New York has on its roster, a No. 1 defensive spot is a possibility. A top-five defense seems like a good bet if the season goes as planned.
