The New York Knicks can find a two-way player among the 2016 free agent class.
The NBA’s analytics movement has not just affected the way teams play but how they build their roster. The New York Knicks aren’t exempt from that line of thinking.The league has put tremendous value on two-way players, players who can play good defense and score, and the more specific “3-and-D” specialist, a player that focuses on perimeter shooting and defense.
The Knicks were 18th in points allowed per 100 possessions during 2015-16 but they were first in opponent’s field goal percentage at the rim. They need to shore up their perimeter defense.
https://youtu.be/M93KMU4fSoM
One way they can improve is by adding an aggressive defender. The Knicks were last in opponent turnovers and last in steals.
The Knicks had four players shoot above the league average from three-point range in 2015-16 and only one of them is under contract for next season.
When Hornacek was in Phoenix, his team’s finished 4th, 10th, and 12th in three pointers attempted per game, and 4th, 10th, and 11th in percentage of points from three pointers.
In 2015-16, the Knicks finished 23rd in threes attempted, 22nd in percentage of points from beyond the arc, and 20th in three-point percentage.
Check out the Suns offense in Hornacek’s first season (2013-14) when they finished in the top ten in offensive efficiency and three-point percentage.
Can you imagine the 2015-16 Knicks ever looking like that?
If Hornacek wants to run an offense that remotely resembles the one in that video he’ll need new pieces next season.
These are the two-way players that the Knicks should target in free agency. They can help.
