National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Lance Thomas Just Wants To Win

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

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Lance Thomas returned to the New York Knicks with the desire to bring winning basketball back to The Mecca. He’s putting in the work to make that happen.

The New York Knicks have committed to a roster rebuild—again. For the third consecutive year, Phil Jackson has the Knicks entering training camp with an almost entirely new roster.

Though the high-profile carryovers are Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis, there’s a reason Phil Jackson committed a four-year contract to brining Lance Thomas back.

Thomas is coming off of a career year. He set career-best averages in minutes, points, 3-point field goals made, and 3-point field goal percentage while emerging as New York’s proverbial glue guy.

According to Kristian WInfield of Elite Sports NY, Thomas hasn’t accepted any aspect of his game as good enough to get by on.

“I’m still working on that,” Thomas said of his three-point shooting. “I’m working on things that are going to help us win. I’m watching a lot of film this summer because I could have been better last season.”

Thomas backed his words up in a recent video posted to the official NBPA Twitter account.

Knicks forward Lance Thomas puts in work with team player development trainer @cjb_603 in NYC. #TheNextStep pic.twitter.com/j9DfeR09fN

— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 17, 2016

Thomas shot 40.4 percent from beyond the arc, but likely wants to improve upon the 44 3-point field goals he converted.

The Knicks have found a genuine two-way player in Thomas. He’s positionally versatile, has a relentless work ethic, plays with great energy, and defends at multiple levels.

Thomas is essentially the most versatile version of a 3-and-D contributor.

Thomas held opponents to 41.4 percent shooting from the field in 2015-16. He caused declines in average opponent field goal percentage from less than six feet, less than 10 feet, and greater than 15 feet.

In other words, Thomas forced opponents to shoot worse in every phase of the game—a testament to his defensive versatility.

Furthermore, New York had a defensive rating of 103.2 with Thomas on the court—tied for the best on the team. Without Thomas, the Knicks’ defensive rating slipped to 105.6—tied for the second worst on the team.

Though it’s clear Thomas knows how to help his team, he won’t be satisfied until New York is winning—and even then, that may not be enough.

“Elements of winning. I’m watching how I’m moving and how I can move better. I really want to win, and I really want to win here.”

Thomas is already helping in that regard.

New York finished the 2015-16 season at 25-34 when Thomas played and 7-16 when he didn’t. That’s good for a win percentage of .424 with Thomas and .304 without him.

If that doesn’t give you an indication of why Jackson re-signed Thomas, nothing will.

All Thomas wants is to win in New York. Knicks fans are certainly in his corner.