Jalen Brunson acknowledges there’s room for improvement.
Josh Hart, on the other hand, seems less concerned.
So far this season, just eight games in and with Mike Brown as the Knicks’ coach, they’ve seen some positive changes. Notably, there’s been a shift in their approach to three-point shooting.
However, defending against opponents’ three-point shots remains a significant vulnerability.
While it hasn’t yet posed a major problem this year, it could surface as an issue down the line.
“We need to tighten up our defense,” Brunson commented after practice on Friday. “We’re doing a decent job supporting each other in the gaps. If we improve in those areas, it will help us limit driving lanes and defensive rotations. Better ball containment will clearly enhance our defensive game. We must stay focused on our techniques and reduce our defensive shortcomings.”
So far this season, teams are hitting 15.9 three-pointers per game against the Knicks, connecting at a rate of 40.6% from beyond the arc.
As of Friday, they ranked second in the league in this area, following the Clippers and Nets.
Even after beating the Timberwolves, the Knicks allowed a staggering 47.5% shooting from three (19 out of 40), which was their highest of the year.
“Teams are making their shots,” Hart shared on Friday. “This is just the NBA. It has a rhythm. We’ve played eight games, and I believe we’ll fine-tune our three-point defense as we move forward. It’s not just that our defense isn’t good, but sometimes opponents are simply missing. If we keep up our energy on defense and truly compete for every shot, we can accept any outcome.”
Fans sometimes question why, despite having top-tier defenders like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Mitchell Robinson, the Knicks haven’t been performing at an elite level over the past couple of years. The main culprit is their three-point defense.
This issue mostly revolves around the contributions of Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks’ top two scorers, who have some defensive shortcomings.
Brunson, while committed, can occasionally struggle to chase down shooters effectively. In the recent game against the Timberwolves, he often left Donte DiVincenzo with too much space.
Towns, with his slower movement, tends to fall behind in rotations. Opponents exploit this by setting up pick-and-pop plays, leading to open three-point opportunities.
In the game against the Timberwolves, players guarded by Brunson and Towns hit 5 of 9 three-point attempts, per NBA.com tracking stats.
This season, when defended by Brunson and Towns, opponents are shooting 40.0% and 38.8% from deep, respectively.
“We’re improving bit by bit,” Brown remarked. “There are technical adjustments to be made. Even if you feel you won’t effectively contest a shot, just put a hand up. That’s crucial. We’re also doing a good job supporting each other and closing out. Yet, sometimes we get a bit too tense, allowing opponents to slip by us, which leads to those sidestep three-point shots. So, while closing out, maintain your space and, even if you can’t reach, try to be ready to box out if needed.”
With a current three-game winning streak, there’s plenty of optimism surrounding the team. Yet, their shaky three-point defense remains something to watch.
In a league where leads can shift rapidly due to three-point shooting, cleaning up on defense will be essential for the Knicks moving forward.
