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Knicks Identify Where They Must Improve

The New York Knicks have to get better on defense, and they have a solution to their problem.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne (1) celebrates with guard Jalen Brunson (11) after a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; New York Knicks guard Cameron Payne (1) celebrates with guard Jalen Brunson (11) after a three point basket against the Utah Jazz during the second half at the Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images / Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks were a top-10 defense last season, but they have transformed into a bottom-10 unit this year.

Losing Isaiah Hartenstein was a big blow for the defense, and the team is still adjusting to its new players and surroundings, but they have figured out a specific part of the defense that needs to improve in order to see numbers start to go their way.

Knicks captain Jalen Brunson eyes an improvement when it comes to the team's communication.

“We have to be more consistent, but for the most part, we’ve got to make sure we have each other’s back," Brunson said h/t Posting and Toasting.“There’s going to be times it’s messed up or an assignment’s missed, or something happens on the defensive side of the ball, but we can’t point fingers. We’ve got to cover for each other. We don’t really point fingers, but we have to cover for each other.”

Brunson's sentiments were echoed by his teammate Mikal Bridges.

“I think we need to just get stops, and communicate to each other a little bit more," Bridges said. “I think it’s tough, we ain’t the only team, but it’s just human nature sometimes when you miss shots and kind of let down a little bit, and your voice kind of goes away. So we just gotta get past that and still communicate with each other. We can’t miss and then let that mess up our defense. If we miss, that’s gotta turn us up even more at the other end. We just gotta be better at that.”

If the Knicks can get past this lapse in communication, the defense will improve, and so too will their record.

The Knicks are back in action tomorrow night as they take on the Dallas Mavericks on the road.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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