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Knicks Coach Emphasizes Defense on Wings

The New York Knicks have to get better on defense.

Jeremy Brener

Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) dribbles the ball while New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) dribbles the ball while New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks are looking to establish themselves as a defensive-minded team with Tom Thibodeau leading the way. However, it's ultimately up to the players to get the job done.

Two players with important roles on the defensive side of the ball are Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, who set the tone and put the Knicks in attack mode looking to force turnovers.

“Mikal takes on whoever the primary ball handler is and he works at it all game long and keeps coming. I think that says a lot about him," Thibodeau said h/t Posting and Toasting. "And [Hart] is going to hustle and get the loose balls and push the pace and do what he does.“If we do that and everyone commits to their strengths and playing defense, we can be good. But we know right now we are shorthanded, so we have to play real hard and rebound the ball. We have to do that as a team. If we do that, good things will come from it.”

The Knicks also have OG Anunoby playing a key role on defense as the team looks to become one of the premier defensive teams in the league.

While Hart, Bridges and Anunoby lead the way, it takes the entire team playing well on defense in order to function properly as a unit. If those three set the tone, it trickles down to the rest of the team.

The Knicks are ranked No. 21 in total defense, which is far from where they want to be, so everyone has to step up in order to collectively make improvements and move up the ladder.

The Knicks are back in action tonight as they face Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Cup opener. Tipoff is set for 7:30 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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