The New York Knicks entered the 2017-18 NBA season with limited expectations after the events that transpired over the summer. Needless to say, they have surpassed even the most optimistic of projections after a solid 9-7 start to the year.
Although there are many areas in which the Knicks look much improved, it is their prowess on the offensive end that has been most surprising. According to ESPN's Ian Begley, head coach Jeff Hornacek credited the pieces surrounding budding superstar Kristaps Porzingis and their ability to move without the ball.
“I think it's probably more ball movement and body movement. This group of guys, there are some really good guys who cut off the ball,” Hornacek said. “We're not standing around as much, having one guy just go to it. We have to be careful that, sometimes when KP gets the ball in there that we're not all just standing there, watching. We're trying to work on that of cutting from the weak side and keeping constant movement so teams can't double him.”
New York has already begun to reap the benefits of Hornacek's new offense, as they currently rank 12th in the NBA in offensive efficiency after finishing tied for 18th last season. Knicks former President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson was notorious for wanting his teams to run aspects of the triangle offense. Since his departure, Hornacek has been able to calibrate it to fix New York's current personnel which includes plenty of movement from combo guards Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee.
Of course, it is difficult not to get caught up with the dazzling nightly displays of dominance from Porzingis. However, his versatile skill set on offense has given guys like Hardaway Jr. and Lee more opportunities to catch the defense slipping.
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