For the New York Knicks to be competitive in 2019-20, point guard Dennis Smith Jr. says the team has to be in really good condition and play elite defense for 48 minutes.
The Knicks don't have a star on the team, so they will have to win by committee and do the little things to win on a consistent basis.
“For our team, it's just being in elite condition,” Smith told Chris Henderson, via Ian Begley of SNY. “We want to be able to be scrappy on both ends of the court, especially on the defensive end. We know offense is going to take care of itself. We've got some good guys.
“Julius Randle is better than what a lot of people think. Marcus Morris is better than what a lot of people think as well. So I know what we have to do on the offensive end, but defense is really where we have to hang our hat this year. We've got the toughness for it, especially with Mitch (Robinson), one of the best shot blockers in the league, already, if not the best. We've got to hang our hat on that end and everything else will take care of itself. And if we get in elite shape, that will be easy to do play after play after play. We've got to keep that up.”
After missing out on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency, the Knicks used their cap space on Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson, Marcus Morris, Elfrid Payton, Wayne Ellington and Reggie Bullock. The veterans will look to help Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox, Mitchell Robinson, Allonzo Trier and rookie RJ Barrett learn what it takes to win in the NBA.
New York acquired Smith Jr. from the Dallas Mavericks in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. The high-flyer averaged 14.7 points and 5.4 assists in 21 games with the Knicks.
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