One Advanced Stat Could Bring New York Knicks 'Back to Earth'

The New York Knicks' overreliance on second chance points inflated their success in an important advanced category last season.

The New York Knicks finished second in the league in offensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions) last season. Despite that success, some are unsure if they can duplicate it as a new season looms.

In making a prediction for each NBA team as the 2023-24 season tips off on Tuesday night, Bleacher Report believes that the Knicks' offense will "come back to Earth," predicting in no unclear terms that the previous campaign's output was an anomaly thanks to an overreliance on second chance points.

"The Knicks finished 20th in effective field-goal percentage, yet they managed to score loads of points by hoarding offensive rebounds, generating threes off those misses at high rates, and generally taking care of the ball," Grant Hughes wrote. "Those are all great qualities, but sustainably good offense has to depend on the ability to make shots, doesn't it?"

Mitchell Robinson (in blue) hauls in an offensive rebound during the Knicks' playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers / USA TODAY SPORTS

So despite their offensive efficiency, it seemed to come mostly as a result of their exceptional rebounding and ability to get second-chance points (ranking third in the category last season at 16.2 per game). In order to defy expectations, or at least repeat last season's success, the Knicks will have to improve their team shooting and make some shots. 

But even if they'll have to adjust and find new ways to score, the Knicks can still get by with some old-fashioned extra opportunities, at least in some capacity thanks to the familiar roster established. 

"In fairness, some of those factors are repeatable," Hughes admits. "Mitchell Robinson won't suddenly forget how to crash the glass and secure extra possessions."

The Knicks will get their first chance to prove that they can be just as efficient as they were last year when they play their first regular season game on Wednesday night against the rival Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).