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The New York Knicks are defending. No, seriously.
After a 2-9 stretch that, rightfully, had those following New York in a frenzy, the Knicks have turned things around lately, winning four straight and putting together defensive performances that can only make one wonder, “Where has this been?”
The third quarters in New York’s recent victories over the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors have seen the Knicks play some of their best this season. The focus is improved. The lineups are better. Those who were expected to make the Knicks’ defense somewhat legitimate have jumped back into a groove.
Despite two recent wins coming against the bottom-feeding Brooklyn Nets and Sacramento Kings, New York has stifled two good offenses in Philadelphia and Toronto (the Raptors have been better this month) for extended periods. The two outings were a sign that the Knicks are beginning to find their mojo. Of New York’s last four opponents, only the 76ers have scored more than 100 points, and even their 109 points are a reason for the Knicks to celebrate.
Why has it improved, though? There are a couple of reasons that stand out.
OG Anunoby is back, anticipating at a high, high level
It helps when your most dominant defensive player is back to his suffocating ways. Over the last four games, Anunoby has 10 steals, including six against Toronto. He also had seven deflections.
“Those numbers are unheard of defensively,” New York head coach Mike Brown said after Wednesday’s game.
A lot of players in the Knicks locker room have recently cited “focus” when discussing the turnaround defensively, and Anunoby has appeared to lock back in on that end in a way very few people in this league can.
What makes Anunoby so special as a defender is his anticipation and reflexes. At his best, he always seems to know where the ball is going. He always reacts before anyone else can blink. The wing has the ability to blow up plays simply off of his instincts, and it’s been happening more and more lately.
Mitchell Robinson’s availability
I touched on this above and wrote more in-depth about it earlier this week, but having Robinson available has been key for New York. First and foremost, he looks healthier and is moving better.
More than that, though, Robinson being able to play more minutes and longer stretches allows the Knicks to roll out defensive-centric lineups more often than they have been this season. When Robinson can play, there are more opportunities for Brown not to play Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns together. Lineups where four solid-to-good defenders insulate Brunson have been trending in the right direction.
For example, the Brunson-Hart-Bridges-Anunoby-Robinson lineup has played only 27 minutes together. They have a net rating of 26.6 and a defensive rating of 114.5, which would be middle of the pack in the NBA over the course of the season. Average isn’t great, but when you factor in the Knicks’ regular starting lineup of Brunson-Hart-Bridges-Anunoby-Towns, which has a defensive rating of 120.6, it’s progress. Substitute Hart for McBride in the lineup alongside Robinson, and that group’s defensive rating is 105.5 in 29 minutes together. Substitute Bridges for Landry Shamet in the lineup alongside Robinson and McBride, and that group’s defensive rating is 85.4 in 21 minutes together.
Yes, all of these lineups where defenders surround Brunson haven’t played much together. So, you have to take it with a grain of salt. However, they’ve played together more lately, and the defense has benefited immensely. Much of this is because Robinson can play longer stretches and more minutes.
Landry Shamet has returned, less Jordan Clarkson
How dare you not come into this season expecting the high-payroll, talented Knicks to need to rely heavily on the availability of a veteran-minimum signing!
Shamet, who was on the Knicks roster last year, made the team in training camp. And there is a strong case to be made that he’s been one of the most important six or seven players on New York’s roster this season when he’s been healthy. Shooting aside, Shamet is a physical defender who competes on every possession.
Shamet returned about two weeks ago from a shoulder sprain that sidelined him for over four weeks. In that span, he’s gotten more comfortable, and Brown has taken Jordan Clarkson out of the rotation.
Brown has long considered Shamet one of the team’s best point-of-attack and screen-navigating defenders. He’s proven his coach correct.
Part of New York’s problems defensively this season has been that opposing teams have been too easily allowed into the paint. Shamet has helped diminish some of that since coming back to the fold. Shamet’s willingness to blow up screens and get physical with ballhandlers is a dimension of the Knicks’ defense that wasn’t always there consistently in his absence.
New York needs Shamet healthy to best utilize its lineups with Brunson, as the former is a legitimately good defender and 3-point shooter.
For all that Clarkson brings to the table as a microwave scorer, the Knicks need a player who can fill those minutes, plus some, make open shots and provide more on the defensive end. That is what has happened over the last week with Shamet back in Brown’s plans.
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James L. Edwards III is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the New York Knicks. Previously, he covered the Detroit Pistons at The Athletic for seven seasons and, before that, was a reporter for the Lansing State Journal, where he covered Michigan State and high school sports. Follow James L. on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII
