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Knicks Must Adjust From Opposing Defenses

The New York Knicks are running into trouble when defenses adjust.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 29, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives past Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry (30) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
Nov 29, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives past Charlotte Hornets guard Seth Curry (30) during the first half at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images / Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images
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While the New York Knicks have been playing well on the offensive side of the ball, they haven't been able to figure out one basic change teams have been making on them.

Defenses have found success against the Knicks this season when they can switch defenders on them, and teams with lanky players who can guard 1-4 have proven to be a challenge for New York.

Knicks guard Josh Hart explains what the team needs to fix in order to get over this obstacle.

“We’re giving teams the game plan. I’m not sure what our record is against teams that just match up traditionally, one-on-one, five-on-five, etc... or teams that switch, teams that junk the game up," Hart said h/t Posting and Toasting. “We have to adjust accordingly, whether that’s putting me in the actions and still getting the (center involved) and doing that. Or playing faster, playing with more thrust. And causing teams to mess up on switches. We have a talented team. Guys who can shoot the ball. So when we’re playing slow, we’re easy to guard. Because we’re going against set defenses.”

While the Knicks have been slow at adapting this season from opposing defenses, point guard and captain Jalen Brunson has a plan to move past it.

“Obviously they were switching. When it comes to switching you probably need to attack it a little quicker. But it’s a mixture of the ball not going in and getting good looks and then them playing good defense as well at times. It honestly shouldn’t happen the way it happened," Brunson said.

The sooner the Knicks figure out how to combat these defenses, the more wins will come. The team is back at home on Sunday as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans at 6 p.m. ET.

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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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