Over the past four years, the Knicks have enjoyed their best stretch of basketball in two decades, making the playoffs three times and winning two playoff series.
Defense has been a central theme of the club’s recent success. The Knicks have ranked in the top 11 in defensive efficiency in three of the last four seasons.
Now, after trading for Mikal Bridges in a blockbuster deal with the Brooklyn Nets, the Knicks assembled on paper their best team in at least a decade. The addition of Bridges gives New York its best recent collection of talent, especially on the defensive end.
Last season, the Knicks finished ninth in defensive efficiency, giving up 112.4 points per 100 possessions, according to NBA Stats.
The combination of Bridges and AND Anunoby will give offenses nightmares and should even improve the Knicks’ defense. Both players excel as one-on-one defenders against elite offensive players. And both players are effective in support positions as well.
Anunoby has a 7-foot-2 wingspan and in certain situations, can guard all five positions. When he joined the Knicks in the middle of the season, New York’s defense was instantly transformed. In the 802 minutes Anunoby was on the floor, the Knicks gave up 100.9 points per 100 possessions – a number that would have ranked first in the NBA.
Bridges have a 7-foot wingspan and can guard four positions. He can impact smaller guards and gives the Knicks another versatile defender.
Initial center Mitchell Robinson made an early case for the NBA’s All-Defensive team before injury derailed his 2023-24 season. Reservations Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa are all plus defenders. Only stars Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle are middle or lower defensemen in New York’s nine-man rotation.
A weakness of past Knicks teams has been a lack of versatility to guard different lineups across the NBA. Now, New York is better equipped to deploy multiple defensive strategies. With Robinson on the floor, the Knicks can guard the pick-and-roll with the center in drop coverage where he can hang back in the paint. The team can also go to Achiuwa in the center and switch pick and rolls across multiple positions.
With the long arms and athleticism of Anunoby and Bridges wreaking havoc on the perimeter, New York can also flirt with catch schemes, extra pressure, and help in ways they haven’t been able to in the past.
Possible weaknesses
There are a few concerns about New York’s defense to watch out for. Although the Knicks have quality defenders throughout the roster. Only Anunoby, Bridges and Hart stand out as versatile defenders capable of guarding forward.
The team is pretty small in the backcourt with the 6-foot-2 Brunson, 6-foot-2 McBride and 6-foot-4 DiVincenzo. If one of their wing backs goes down with an injury, it could lead to even smaller lineups. Also, the Knicks will need more from Randle, who has been apathetic at times on defense.
Robinson is an impressive defensive force in the paint, but one concern will be how the Knicks have him on the floor against teams with three-point shooting big men. Contenders in the East such as the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks present centers like Kristaps Porzingis and Brook Lopez, which protrude beyond the arch. Robinson is often reluctant to step to the three-point line. It could be a challenge the Knicks will have to adjust to.
There are other good defenses around the NBA. Behind the efforts of players like Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDanielsthe Minnesota Timberwolves ranked first last year and kept most of their core together. The Celtics, Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder will also be in the conversation. With the amount of defensive ability New York has on its roster, a number one defensive ranking is a possibility. A top-five defense seems like a good bet if the season goes as planned.
