The New York Knicks struggled with their 3-point shooting during last year’s playoffs, ranking last among all 16 playoff teams with a 29.2 percent success rate. This weakness is expected to be improved upon this time around. Despite shooting a poor 35.4 percent during the regular season, which ranked 19th in the NBA, the team struggled even more during the playoffs, particularly against the Miami Heat. The Heat were able to force Knicks’ player Jalen Brunson to give up the ball under pressure, and the team was not able to capitalize on these opportunities.
However, this season the Knicks have shown improvement in their shooting, with a 36.9 percent success rate in the regular season, tying for 13th in the league. Head coach Tom Thibodeau believes that having more time to adjust without an injured Julius Randle will also help in improving the team’s 3-point shooting. Thibodeau stressed the importance of focusing on the current season rather than dwelling on past performance. The Knicks have also added more and better 3-point shooters to their roster, such as Donte DiVincenzo, Bojan Bogdanovic, and OG Anunoby, who have all shown strong shooting skills during their time with the team.
Bojan Bogdanovic, in particular, has been identified as a key player in improving the Knicks’ 3-point shooting. While he initially struggled with his shooting when he joined the team, Bogdanovic showed improvement towards the end of the regular season. His ability to hit 43.3 percent of his 3-point attempts in the final eight games of the season was crucial in the team’s success during that period. Thibodeau praised Bogdanovic’s progress and attributed it to the improved continuity within the team as key players returned from injury.
As the Knicks prepare to face the 76ers in the playoffs, Jalen Brunson is expected to face intense defensive pressure, just as he did during last year’s playoffs. The success of the team will heavily depend on their ability to make the 76ers pay for double-teaming Brunson and effectively utilizing other shooters on the team. This will prevent the 76ers from focusing solely on Brunson and will create favorable opportunities for the Knicks to score. Understanding the need to exploit defensive weaknesses and make quick decisions will be crucial for the Knicks to succeed in the playoffs and avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous postseason.
Overall, the Knicks are focused on improving their 3-point shooting and utilizing their shooters effectively to create scoring opportunities. With a revamped roster that includes better shooters and improved chemistry, the team is optimistic about their chances in the playoffs. The importance of continuity, making quick decisions, and capitalizing on defensive mistakes will be key factors in determining how far the Knicks will go in the postseason. Ultimately, the team’s ability to adapt to the challenges presented by the 76ers and other opponents will be crucial in their quest for success in the playoffs.
