The Knicks can provide shutdown defense, after all, which seemed like the unlikeliest of scenarios for most of this season, but especially during their alarming downspell between December and January.
During their current five-game win streak, which was extended on Sunday night with a 112-100 win over the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden, they rank No. 1 in the NBA in defensive efficiency, No. 2 in opponent three-point percentage, No. 5 in turnovers forced, and No. 6 in opponent field-goal percentage.
It is a significant turnaround from the unit that ranked 29th in opponent three-point percentage and 26th in defensive efficiency during an 11-game stretch in January, when they went 2-9.
So, what has changed?
“I think the biggest part of our defense has been our communication, physicality, and accountability without having to point fingers and say who was wrong and who wasn’t,” star point guard Jalen Brunson said. “Just kind of being on the string and being on the same page is the biggest part of our turnaround so far.” In the two off-days before this current five-game run, head coach Mike Brown and his staff began preaching funneling the ball to the outside rather than right down the middle of the floor. On the perimeter, things were simplified so everyone knows where they need to be. “We just made some changes to our overall defensive philosophy and different areas,” Brown said. “Emphasizing that we want to be more physical on the ball while making it a little more simplistic for the guys. Not only while they’re on the ball, but knowing where the help is coming from and when it’s coming… “When your job is a little bit more simple, you can be a little bit more aggressive and a little bit more physical.”
It also appears on the scoreboard. The Knicks have allowed 100 or fewer points in each of their last four games.
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