Amid a mini three-game losing streak in which the New York Knicks‘ eyebrow-raising loss to the Chicago Bulls was sandwiched by losses to OKC and the heavily undermanned Orlando Magic, the biggest takeaway is that this team looks exhausted. Those blaming it on a congested schedule of five games in eight days aren’t really paying attention to the biggest issue—their lack of depth. The Knicks’ weak bench has been particularly problematic in recent games.
The Magic bench outscored the Knicks bench 50-18. Bulls bench outscored them 31-17. OKC’s bench outscored them by a massive 44-5. Even in their wins; bench play has been a problem for the Knicks, for instance, Utah Jazz’s sixth man Jordan Clarkson outscored the Knicks bench by himself 25-16. The Wizards bench outscored the Knicks 55-21 and 32-8. This disparity is not sustainable over a long season. The Knicks desperately need more bench production.
Knicks Weak Bench Is a Significant Issue
The Double-Edged Sword Of This Knicks Roster
The Knicks have by far the highest-scoring starting lineup in the league, averaging 97.4 points per game. However, the Knicks have the weakest bench in the league averaging just 19.8 bench points per game the Lakers rank 29th with 24.7 bench points per game. It’s a double-edged sword.
For instance, four of their starters already had 40-point nights this season, including Jalen Brunson‘s double nickel against the Wizards, Mikal Bridges‘ 41-point outburst on Christmas Day, OG Anunoby‘s 40-point outing against the Denver Nuggets, and Karl-Anthony Towns has had three 40-plus point games. Moreover, Josh Hart had back-to-back triple-doubles.
The downside, however, is what we’re seeing now. When legs are weary, they look devoid of ideas and a spark. Missing KAT hurt the Knicks against Orlando despite playing at home. Nevertheless, the Magic were down four starters and this loss was unacceptable. Other than Towns, they don’t have much rebounding on the roster apart from Hart, and they certainly aren’t a threat inside or as scary outside without him. Notably the Knicks rank just 21st in rebounding. This led to the Knicks hoisting up 22 three-point attempts and only hitting 18% of them. The offense looked predictable and easy to switch and defend against.
It isn’t just injuries, since the second half of the Thunder game, it appears like the Knicks lineup is running through mud. Considering the minutes the starters were asked to play, they looked worn out.
Thibodeau’s Philosophy
Tom Thibodeau does not trust any of his bench to play significant minutes. At this stage, Thibodeau is who he is. I firmly have Thibodeau in the top five active coaches in the NBA. He’s an unbelievable coach, demanding high standards, and often doesn’t get the credit he deserves for his elite development record. However, he has one stick that is used to beat him through his distinguished career, and that’s his overuse of starters.
Blowouts or otherwise, he has his starters play 40+ minutes every night. It also takes him a particularly long time to have guys enter into his circle of trust. Think Robert De Niro in ‘Meet the Parents.’ With this in mind, the constitution of this roster, extraordinarily top-heavy and light in depth would only mean one outcome: overuse of players.
This is also a different type of team. In prior years, the Knicks had the best bench in the league. Boasting the revelatory Immanuel Quickley before his trade to Toronto. Isaiah Hartenstein, before he signed with OKC. Last season, Donte DiVincenzo and Hart were incredible as starters or as sixth men. This season, no such depth exists. That isn’t to say there aren’t good players on the bench, but none are capable of changing a game like before.
Assessing the bench
Miles McBride is a strong two-way player, but he is an undersized guard and hampered by injuries. He’s by far the most trusted contributor off the bench when healthy. Emphasis on the latter ‘when healthy.’ Cameron Payne is useful in spurts. Landry Shamet can shoot, but he’s only been signed a few weeks ago. Plus, he only averaged 15 minutes for a terrible Wizards team last year. Rookie Pacome Dadiet is a project needing a ton of refining in the G League.
For me, two players are being under-utilized; Tyler Kolek– the playmaking rookie point guard has lit up the Westchester Knicks. He’s looked very comfortable in his NBA minutes, armed with a smooth stroke, strong lefty layup, and lovely vision. But he’s not in that ‘circle of trust.’ It was a mistake not to utilize him against Orlando, with Brunson’s recent shooting struggles, and being dinged up.
Precious Achiuwa should get a larger role. He offers rim protection and defensive IQ and is an athletic freak, all things this roster currently lacks. However, he is undersized in his role – as is much of the Knicks roster. This leaves the Knicks very open to being switched on and dominated against bigger teams. OKC and the Magic took advantage of those mismatches. Unquestionably, the Knicks’ weak bench is beginning to take its toll, and it needs a spark. It’s not immediately clear where it would come from, however.
Overuse Of Starters
According to StatMuse, The Knicks have played the most minutes per game by a team by starters with 181 minutes per game. Considerably more than any other team. Furthermore, Bridges, Hart, and Anunoby are the top three leaders in minutes per game– that is an enlightening stat. One that is not sustainable under any circumstances.
Bridges and Hart are incredible in terms of their durability, but that shouldn’t be abused, the minutes need to be managed, not run to the ground before the All-Star break. We are now starting to see the starting lineup get dinged up. Both stars Brunson and Towns are being managed with minor injuries, which should serve as a warning.
Knicks Issues Shouldn’t Be Overlooked
It’s easy to overlook these issues when the team is flying and blowing teams out due to their immensely productive lineup. When the lineup is flowing, they’re nigh on unstoppable. However, against bigger physical and deeper teams, their weaknesses are starting to rear its head. The hottest team in the league, the Thunder overwhelmed the Knicks in the second half. The Magic were without four starters, yet had enough depth to win comfortably. As a way of comparison, the Knicks without one starter, looked short and lost against Orlando.
Another factor is it’s unclear how the Knicks address the bench. Mitchell Robinson is the Knicks’ hope; he addresses all issues the Knicks’ defense has been a problem all year. He’ll help with the boards on both ends, athleticism, and rim protection. However, you’re asking him to rehab, get fully healthy, and provide quality minutes without being on the court much in a full calendar year. That’s a tall ask.
Furthermore, it’s hard to imagine they’ll be able to make many trades, as they’ll have trouble aggregating salaries due to being at the cap limit unless they trade Robinson who they may need. Unless they can get back a rim protector and a scoring wing in return.
On the plus side, the Knicks have a very talented front office with a near-flawless recruitment record. And despite the issues, they sit comfortably in the playoffs. As of now, Thibodeau will need to increase his current rotation and trust his bench more with the goal of keeping his stars healthy, even if it means increasing his circle of trust. These issues are worth monitoring going forward.
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