One of the Knicks’ biggest weaknesses in last year’s playoffs should be improved this time around.
That’s how it should be.
The Knicks shot just 29.2 percent from 3-point range last postseason, ranking last among the 16 playoff teams.
In the regular season, he shot a poor 35.4 percent, which ranked 19th in the NBA, but it got even worse when it mattered most.
In particular, the Heat were able to send multiple defenders to Jalen Brunson and force him to give up the ball, but the Knicks were unable to capitalize.
This year, the Knicks shot 36.9 percent during the regular season, tied for 13th in the league.
It’s not a dramatic improvement, but head coach Tom Thibodeau also believes the team’s more time to adjust without the injured Julius Randle will help in that regard.
“Last year has nothing to do with this year,” Thibodeau said after Friday’s practice as the Knicks prepare to open the playoffs against the 76ers on Saturday. “This is a different year, that’s how you guys approach it. A lot of times it’s about what you’re going through. We had Julius who went out last year. This year, it’s about how you play now. I had more time to prepare.”
Beyond that, the Knicks have more and better 3-point shooters.
Donte DiVincenzo was with the team all season and shot a career-high 40.1 percent from behind the arc.
Bojan Bogdanovic and OG Anunoby arrived in mid-season trades and are strong 3-point shooters.
Against the Knicks, his 3-point shooting percentages were 37.0 percent and 39.4 percent, respectively.
Bogdanovic’s shooting, in particular, could be one of the Knicks’ biggest X-factors.
Although he struggled when he first joined the Knicks, he improved as the regular season progressed, and in the final eight games, he averaged 11.4 points per game with a 43.3 percent shooting percentage from 3-point range.
The Knicks now have 6 wins and 2 losses in this game.
“I love the way he plays,” Thibodeau said earlier this week. “As the games go on, he’s getting more into a rhythm, and I think that has a lot to do with the players coming back as well. So there’s some continuity to it.”
Brunson will likely see a ton of double teams and traps from the 76ers defense, just like he did during last year’s playoffs.
His supporting cast will be needed to make the 76ers pay money and still pay attention to other shooters.
The Knicks sank in last postseason because they couldn’t do that. They cannot afford to repeat themselves.
“Just knowing that we have the players, when they put two guys on the ball, we basically end up playing four-on-three and we have the advantage and how do we get as far as possible? I know what I can do to take the best shot,” Brunson said Friday. “Just attack, attack, attack, see what the defense does and read it.”
