The Knicks defense is shooting everywhere

In Orlando on Saturday night, the Knicks had a chance to end their road trip with a clear message: their defense remains a safe bet. But in the face of unbridled magic, New York reminded us above all that its defensive fortitude, long its trademark, is nothing more than a facade these days.

133–121 loss in Orlandoand above all, a worrying impression: New York’s defense could never control anything. Everything exploded in the last quarter where the Magic played their basketball. New York got back to within three points… before literally getting blown out. Cuts to the rim, easy layups, open shots: Orlando did what he wanted.

The number that best sums up the night: 64 points scored. “We have to do a much better job of protecting the racket”Mike Brown bites. “It wasn’t good tonight: 64 points inside, 30 shots… That’s their game, but that doesn’t mean we have to offer them a facility like this. We have to be better in this area.”

With 55% overall success and 39% on 3-pointers, Orlando was never challenged by New York’s defense, although it should be the basis of this group, that is, of this franchise that has many specialists like OG Anunoby, albeit absent, Mychal Bridges, Mitchell Robinson or even Josh Hart.

If the Knicks grab just two fewer offensive rebounds than their opponents (11–9), this group suffers against athletic teams like the Magic with tough-to-stop players like Desmond Bain or Franz Wagner. And to think that Paolo Banchero wasn’t there…

Mike Brown remains optimistic

“It’s just bad business on our part.”, coward josh hart. “We could have defended lower than some guys, but we didn’t. We let players get into the racket. We have to watch video and improve.”

Same observation with Jalen Brunson: “They took offensive rebounds, found open 3-point shots… We finished the third quarter poorly, and they went on a run. We have to start quarters better, finish them better. Not a good second half from us.”

The takeaway is clear: The Knicks are no longer winning singles and no longer securing rotations. When these two pillars collapse, New York’s defense no longer has an identity and ranks 18th out of 30 in the entire NBA. But Mike Brown assures that he will be back soon.

“I am confident in our ability to be at the expected level in defense.” concludes Tom Thibodeau’s successor.
“At times we defended well and at others we defended poorly, and that’s something that happens, especially at this time of the season. So I think we can be a very good defensive team. But again, no matter what players we put on the field, we have to understand and integrate what we’re trying to do on that side of the field to get things done.”