Weeks after the All-Star game had combined for close to 400 points, there were rumors and reports that the league’s competition committee was trying to bring back balance to the NBA. Scoring in the NBA was at an all-time high, and the league average offensive rating was the highest it had been in over 50 years, standing at a staggering 115.5. Keeping this in mind, the NBA addressed the offensive foul-baiting that was running rampant in the league. Following the all-star break, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the NBA’s competition committee would address this issue.
Knicks have benefited from the “Rule Changes”
The NBA shared with teams one of league’s focuses in competition committee meeting had been on offensive players hunting for fouls and veering off paths into defenders – and how those recent points of officiating emphasis have impacted a decrease in league scoring, according to…
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 15, 2024
Emphasis on Defense
With teams getting better at the 3-point shot (36.7%, highest ever), and taking more and more shots at the rim or behind the 3-point line, the only way to bring defense back was to remove calling the small fouls. Considering this, the competition committee monitored the trends and unofficially imposed “rule changes” after the all-star break ended. These involved reducing the number of ticky-tack fouls that were called on defenses and reducing the foul-baiting that was running rampant in the league. Comparatively, the offensive rating is down to 113.1 after the break from 115.2 before the break. In addition, free throw attempts are also down from 22.6 to 19.8 per game. The referees have been harsher on the offense, and are not blowing the whistle as easily as they used to. Furthermore, the defensive rating has decreased from 115 to 112.
Knicks Defensive Plans
The Knicks have gone all-in on defense. Every player puts their body on the line, every single play, and the Knicks love clogging the lane and making sure that players don’t get the easy layups or dunks. Additionally, the Knicks love rushing the passer, and send a double team when the ball-handler enters the top of the key. By doing this, they force the handler to either switch to their off-hand, or through an awkward pass to the sides. Their rotations are very timely, and players switch seamlessly through the screens and cuts. The communication between teammates is brilliant, and the chemistry between the players is evident, particularly when the Villanova boys are on the floor together.
The Knicks also have the added benefit of having a great rebounding guard in Josh Hart. Since the all-star break, he’s averaging 11.7 rebounds per game, 9th most in the league. Hart is 6’4″. Because of the safety blanket that Hart provides on the boards, Isaiah Hartenstein/Precious Achiuwa can step up and play closer to the perimeter when the Knicks face teams with shooting bigs like the Celtics, Timberwolves, Nuggets, Magic, Pacers, etc. The Knicks’ most-used lineup since the all-star break has been Hart, Hartenstein, Achiuwa, Jalen Brunson, and Donte DiVincenzo. In the 91 minutes they played together, they had a defensive rating of 103.4.
Knicks Benefit from the “Rule Changes”
The Knicks play a physical style of defense that is unique in the NBA. Led by Tom Thibodeau, an old-school coach, the Knicks play a grit and hustle defense. They like to get into the shooter’s space and prevent him from moving to either side or getting a shot up. The Knicks have hugely benefited from the “rule changes” after the all-star break; it allows them to play their style without getting called for a foul. Teams are shooting just 18 free throws against the Knicks after the break compared to 23.2 before the break. Consequentially, their defensive rating has gone down to 108.4 vs 112.8.
“The Knicks are arguably the most physical team in the league, and defensively one of the best. It’s kind of their brand of basketball, everyone knows. So we gotta be ready”
–– Kings Kevin Huerter pic.twitter.com/yGAAHqEoEb
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) March 17, 2024
The Knicks’ benefit from the “rule changes” was best displayed during a 5-game stretch from Mar 8 to Mar 16. During that period, they had a defensive rating of 91.4 and went 5-1. The one game they lost was against the Sixers. In that game, the two teams scored 152 points combined, the lowest total over 8 years.
The return of OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Julius Randle will make the Knicks one of the deepest rosters in the league, and the benefit from the “rule changes” means that the Knicks can conceivably spoil somebody’s playoff run and make it to the Eastern Conference finals. Whether they make it that far or further will depend on the health of the roster. Nonetheless, one thing’s for sure. The Knicks will be a lockdown defense no matter who they play.
