New York Knicks legend Walt Frazier says the Knickerbockers must focus on defense if they want to make the 2020 playoffs.

The Knicks are considered playoff outsiders, especially after missing out on their top free agent targets Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. However, Frazier believes New York has a “lot of good defensive players” who can make a difference for them.

“The key to winning is always defense to me,” Frazier told Marc Berman of the New York Post. “I wear this [championship] ring with a lot of pride. I think they have a lot of good defensive players they signed. If they come out with that tenacity, the Garden crowd will come out to support them.

“They realize they’re not an elite team, but if they give 100 percent, they’ll get the support of the Garden. With very aggressive defense, they can make the playoffs.”

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Frazier knows a thing or two about winning. After all, he was a big part of the Knicks' 1970 and 1973 championships. He also made his seven All-Star appearances with the New York franchise during the 1970s.

The Knicks may have failed to catch the big fish this offseason, but they spent their cap space getting quality free agents in Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Taj Gibson, Marcus Morris, Wayne Ellington, Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock.

New York had the fifth lowest defensive rating last season at 112.9. Now, it's up to David Fizdale and the vets to found a way to improve their defense and compete for a playoff spot in the 2019-20 campaign.