Knicks Plan New Strategies and Role Adjustments in Title Defense
The New York Knicks are gearing up to expand on the offensive style that sparked their recent championship run. Last season's playoff surge seemed like just a preview of what’s possible. That shift in their offense came during a critical moment when the team faced a 2-1 deficit against the Hawks. Now, with a full training camp and preseason ahead, they aim to refine and enhance those changes.
Experimenting With Roles and Tactics
"I feel like we can do a lot more, do a lot of different things," said Jalen Brunson after the team's first practice of the new season. "We unlocked something last year in the playoffs when it mattered, and now it’ll be exciting to bring it into the regular season from the start."
The main adjustment involved repositioning Karl-Anthony Towns as a central playmaker stationed at the elbows. This gave Brunson more freedom to move off the ball and lessened his playmaking load. Towns' passing skills pulled opposing big men away from the paint, creating space for teammates OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to cut and set screens, leading to a major boost in offensive efficiency.
Building on Last Year’s Foundation
Coach Mike Brown emphasized that Towns’ role at the elbow remains key, with tweaks planned. "Now that we’ve worked together for a year, we understand better what players like OG and Mikal can do in pick-and-roll situations," he said. "We’ll keep mixing in their talents at the top of the floor. We have big cutters who bring size and skill. Plus, KAT is a strong facilitator there. Maybe Andre Drummond fits into this too. We might even try OG at center more than before. There’s plenty of options on both ends, and nothing is set in stone."
New Roles for Anunoby and Bridges
Last season, the system had Anunoby and Bridges mostly stationed in the corners for three-point opportunities, often called "sprays" by Brown. They led the league in corner 3-point attempts with 199 and 198 respectively. But in the playoffs, both players improved as ball handlers and slashers, generating their own scoring chances.
Anunoby, in particular, carried much of the offense at times, showing an All-Star level of production. Moving him away from the corners to more central spots could unlock his best potential. Considering Drummond is the only certain backup center behind Towns, deploying Anunoby as a small-ball center is a possibility worth exploring.
Adapting Throughout the Season
Brown shared, "We’ll carry over much from last year but also try new things. Some playoff strategies may not fit the regular season, so we must stay ready to evolve. Ideally, by playoff time, we’ll be improving steadily and confident enough to make a strong push."
This flexibility relies heavily on a veteran team willing to adjust roles for collective success, built on open and honest communication.
"As a group, we figured out that we need each other to win," Brunson explained. "You never know when things will click, but if you keep working every day, eventually the breakthrough comes."
With fresh challenges ahead, the Knicks are set to tap into new possibilities as they defend their title.
