Knicks have a shot with this key fix
One of the Knicks’ biggest weaknesses during last year’s playoffs should be improved this time around.
It better be.
The Knicks shot a paltry 29.2 percent from 3-point range last postseason — dead last among the 16 playoff teams. They had shot a poor 35.4 percent in the regular season, which ranked 19th in the NBA, and it got even worse when it mattered most. The Heat, in particular, were able to send multiple defenders at Jalen Brunson and force him to give the ball up, and the Knicks couldn’t capitalize. This year, the Knicks shot 36.9 percent in 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 having more time to adjust without an injured Julius Randle will help in that area.
“Last year doesn’t really have anything to do with this year,” Thibodeau said after practice Friday as the Knicks prepared to open the playoffs Saturday by hosting the 76ers. “It’s a different year, that’s how you approach it. Oftentimes, it’s what are you going through? We had Julius, who went out last year. This year, we had more time to prepare with the way we’re playing now.” Beyond that, the Knicks simply have more and better 3-point shooters. Donte DiVincenzo has been with the team the whole season, and shot a careerbest 40.1 percent from behind the arc. Bojan Bogdanovic and OG Anunoby arrived in midseason trades, and are strong 3-point shooters. They shot 37.0 percent and 39.4 percent from 3-point range, respectively, with the Knicks. Bogdanovic’s shooting specifically could be one of the Knicks’ biggest X-factors. He struggled in his early Knicks days, but improved down the stretch of the regular season, averaging 11.4 points per game on a red-hot 43.3 percent shooting from 3-point range across the final eight games. The Knicks went 6-2 in that stretch. “I love the way he’s playing,” Thibodeau said earlier this week. “Each game, he’s gotten more rhythm, and I think a lot of it has to do with, now you’re getting your players back, too. So there’s some continuity to it.” Brunson is sure to see a plethora of double-teams and traps from the 76ers’ defense, just as he did during last year’s playoffs. It will require his supporting cast to make the 76ers pay and force them to still pay attention to other shooters. An inability to do so sunk the Knicks last postseason. They can ill afford a repeat.