Knicks Prepare to Shift Roles in Title Defense with New Strategies

Knicks Aim to Expand Their Playbook in Championship Defense

The New York Knicks believe last year's playoff run was just a warm-up. The postseason introduced a fresh offensive approach that propelled them to an impressive championship victory, but it was a quick fix born out of necessity after trailing 2-1 against the Hawks in the first round. Now, with a full training camp and preseason under their belt, the team is eager to refine and elevate this strategy.

Jalen Brunson shared after the first practice of the season, "I feel like we can do a lot more, do a lot of different things. We unlocked something during the playoffs when it mattered most, and it worked. It'll be exciting to integrate it from the start of the season."

New Offensive Roles Centered Around Karl-Anthony Towns

The biggest adjustment involved how Karl-Anthony Towns is utilized offensively. Moving him to the elbows to handle the ball more often allowed Brunson to play off-ball, easing his playmaking duties. This setup highlighted Towns' passing skills, pulling opposing centers away from the paint and enabling teammates OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to excel as cutters and screen setters. The offense's efficiency surged dramatically.

This role for Towns will remain central, with possible tweaks on the horizon. Coach Mike Brown said, "We're obviously playing with KAT at the elbow more than last regular season. Spending a year together helps us understand player strengths better. I didn’t realize how effective OG could be in pick-and-roll or Mikal's potential. We want to keep finding ways to involve them at the top of the floor."

Brown also mentioned experimenting with roles, including possibly moving Anunoby to center and seeing if backup center Andre Drummond can facilitate similarly. He stressed flexibility, saying nothing is set in stone.

Potential New Roles for Anunoby and Bridges

Last year, Brown’s system had Anunoby and Bridges mostly stationed in the corners for three-point attempts—what he calls "sprays." Both led the league in corner three-point attempts, with 199 and 198 respectively during the regular season. That approach was a key part of the Knicks’ offense.

But in the playoffs, both players expanded their games, improving their ball-handling and ability to create shots. Anunoby, especially, carried the offense at times and produced some of his best work. Shifting him away from the corners into more central floor positions could unlock his full potential, possibly even as a small-ball center, considering Drummond is the only guaranteed backup center behind Towns.

Adapting Throughout the Season

Brown explained, "We'll carry over a lot from last year but also try new things. What worked in the playoffs might not suit the regular season, so we have to be ready to adapt and pivot as needed. By playoff time, we want to be improving and confident to take off."

The team’s willingness to adjust roles depended on veteran players coming together and communicating openly. Brunson noted, "We realized we need each other to win and be on the same page. You don’t know when things click, but if you keep working every day, eventually the breakthrough comes."

Now, the Knicks face a new season with fresh opportunities and challenges ahead.