When you're trailing a series 3-1 like the New York Knicks are in the NBA playoffs, nothing should be off the table in terms of adjustments in laying out a blueprint. The Knicks looked disastrous in the second half of Game 4, as Atlanta took a commanding lead in the series that has pushed the Knicks towards the brink of elimination.
Game 5 will be back in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday and the Knicks should make this one bold move to try and salvage the season.
Let Trae Young launch.
It sounds dumb, it sounds idiotic. But look at what has happened so far in this series.
Time and time again, Trae Young has been able to slip by into the paint and it has led to either one floater falling through the net after another or an easy find on a lob to Clint Capela or John Collins. And even on the rare occurrence when those avenues have been taken out, Young has kicked to guys like Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kevin Huerter.
The Knicks pick-and-roll defense has been less than stellar in this series and Young has feasted. He's averaging 10 assists per game so far against New York. Now, it's time for the Knicks to keep the crafty guard in front of them at all times and make him beat you with the long range jumper.
For all the praise Young is getting in the spotlight of this series (and rightfully so), his three point numbers haven't been great. In Game 4, Young was 4-14 from beyond the arc, and on the series he's 11-30 from three.
The pick-and-roll has killed the Knicks so far and led to ample opportunity for everyone on Atlanta's offense to feast. In Game 5, New York needs to do whatever it takes to keep young in front and if that means shading off a little bit from the perimeter, so be it.
If Trae Young beats you making a ton of three pointers, tip your cap and move on. The percentages rest in the Knicks' favor if they go this route. Don't double Young and leave the other shooters, don't collapse in on the paint and leave a lob wide open for Capela and Collins. Play Young straight up, give him a little more room to operate on the perimeter and live with the results.
It could be a lethal option to go with, but it beats New York being taken out with the “death by a thousands cuts” method that has been on display throughout this series so far.
There's not doubting Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks are firmly behind the 8-ball trailing three games to one against the Hawks. Trae Young has been the best player on the floor for either side by far and often times that's how you advance in the NBA playoffs.
However, the Knicks still have a pulse and what might be the right formula is taken away most outlets for Young and let him hoist away from three. It's easier said than done, but it's worth a shot for New York given the state they are in.