Every autumn, it’s become a routine under Tom Thibodeau.
He often mentioned that the Knicks needed to increase their three-point attempts compared to last season.
He had aimed for an average of 40 per game.
That didn’t pan out, and ultimately, the Knicks averaged just 34.1 shots per game last year, ranking fourth to last in the league, with only 31.7 attempts in the postseason.
Mike Brown, Thibodeau’s successor, is looking for a change.
“If you hit 40, great,” he said before heading to Abu Dhabi after the final practice to participate in exhibition games against the 76ers. “And if you exceed that, even better! But, importantly, those have to be quality shots.”
That’s obviously crucial.
And it’s something Thibodeau had also touched on.
Brown’s not merely interested in increasing the volume of threes. They should come from the flow of the game, stemming from ball movement and creating quality openings.
“There are guys who will open it up for us. They know who they are, but if we play the way we can, we should create plenty of catch-and-shoot opportunities, especially when we maintain the right spacing,” said Brown. “If the ball gets into the paint or after a well-timed cut or roll, it can pull the defense out, leading to those open threes that we need.”
Back in his Sacramento days, Brown’s Kings ranked third in the league for three-point attempts in the 2022-23 season, maintaining that position while shooting 37.3% the next year.
During Thibodeau’s tenure, the Knicks’ highest average was 36.9 in 2021-22.
Multiple factors may help increase those three-point attempts going forward.
For one, Brown’s plan involves playing at a quicker pace to create more opportunities. The Knicks were among the slowest teams last year.
Additionally, the team has added players like Jordan Clarkson, Gershon Yabusele, and Malcolm Brogdon to enhance their three-point options.
Last season, the Knicks managed a solid 36.9% from distance, ranking eighth in the league.
Returning players such as Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Miles McBride, and Landry Shamet all shot above that mark during the previous year.
The two expected non-shooters in the rotation are Mitchell Robinson and Josh Hart, although Hart can occasionally hit a three.
There’s real potential for the Knicks to evolve into a strong three-point shooting team.
However, it might take some time as this squad adjusts to a new offensive system.
Throughout the first week of training camp, Brown has stressed that generating quality shots is key—not just settling for threes.
“We’re still getting a grasp on the concepts—knowing where to be, the pace, and spacing on the court,” Brunson noted. “Once we’re clear on that, things should flow more easily, regardless of whether the focus is on individual play or teamwork.”
