National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Focus Has Turned To Improving Defense

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The New York Knicks dropped the preseason opener 130-103 to the Houston Rockets. Following the loss, defense was the primary topic of conversation.

The New York Knicks opened the preseason in both encouraging and discouraging form. A 130-103 loss to the Houston Rockets offered many reasons to be underwhelmed, albeit with a number of reasons to be intrigued.

If the Knicks hope to improve upon the result of the preseason opener, then the first order of business will be solidifying the defense.

Allowing 130 points is an easy way for the quality of the defense to be called into question. It’s only a preseason game, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t rational evaluations to be made.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, starting point guard Derrick Rose’s only concern following the preseason opener is the state of the Knicks’ defense.

“I’m more worried about our defense than anything,’’ Rose said. “We’re going to score the ball. We have to become the team defensively when you come in you’re going to have a hard time on that side of the ball. We want to be known for our defense when we come into the regular season.’’

Kristaps Porzingis echoed the sentiment:

“We have to get better defensively,” Porzingis said. “We have to talk more.”

That’s an easier fix than it may seem.

New York allowed Houston to convert 20 3-point field goals and score 40 points in the paint. That’s a combined 100 points just from shooting the 3-ball and attacking the basket—numbers that won’t be reached very often.

The solution to allowing so many points in the paint—as well as the perimeter defense—is the player who wasn’t present on October 4: Joakim Noah.

Noah was signed by the Knicks to be more than just a rim protector. He’s a source of accountability who not only provides tenacity himself, but holds his teammates to the same standard.

Merely having Noah on the court should raise his teammates’ defensive intensity.

Furthermore, the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year projects to form a dominant interior defense with Porzingis. Porzingis’ physical gifts and Noah’s physicality promise to create a dynamic 1-2 punch.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek acknowledged the need for the Knicks to improve their physicality.

“I want to see more physical play on the ball,’’ Hornacek said. “We were playing it too safe…We need to work on our weakside help and we gave up too many open looks on 3s.”

More 1993-94, less 2014-15.

With Noah back in the lineup, the Knicks should play with a higher level of physicality and attention to detail on defense. The offense should improve, as well, with Noah facilitating from the high post and Carmelo Anthony playing like himself.

With or without Noah, merely playing together on a more consistent basis should help the Knicks.

With a fresh new roster, the Knicks simply need to up their effort to improve their defense.