New York Knicks

Can the Knicks defense improve in 2015-16?

Published Sep. 14, 2015 11:46 a.m. ET

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The Knicks had one of the worst defenses in the NBA last year, but a almost a completely new roster could change things in New York.

The Knicks signed Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, Kevin Seraphin and Kyle O'Quinn among others. They drafted Jerian Grant and Kristaps Porzingis in the first round. They're also expecting healthier versions of Carmelo Anthony and Jose Calderon (though neither of those guys is known for anything he does on the defensive end of the court).

So, can those guys help on the defensive end? Phil Jackson, after saying the Knicks' first offseason priority was to fix the D, hopes so. And ESPN's Ian Begley says it's a real possibility:

The Knicks finished 28th out of 30 NBA teams in points allowed per possession last year, en route to a 17-win season. It'll be hard not to improve on that considering Lopez, Afflalo, Seraphin and O'Quinn are all clear upgrades.

(h/t ESPN)

The new Knicks, by and large, excelled last season in keeping their opponents field goal percentage below expected levels.

Robin Lopez held opponents to a field-goal percentages that was 1.8 percent less than average. Kevin Seraphin (minus-2.1), Kyle O’Quinn (minus-2.1) and Arron Afflalo (minus-1.0) also held opponents below their average field goal percentages. Derek Williams is the Knicks' only free-agent signee who allowed opponents to shoot a higher field-goal percentage than their average (plus-3.5) last season.

The Knicks also jettisoned some players who struggled to hold their opponents below their average field-goal percentage.

Ex-Knicks Tim Hardaway Jr. (plus-4.4), Cole Aldrich (plus-3.7), Andrea Bargnani (plus-6.9) and Shane Larkin (plus-0.8) all allowed opponents to convert at a higher rate than their average last season. Quincy Acy (minus-3.3) and Jason Smith (minus-0.8) were exceptions.