New York Knicks Five Takeaways From First Half Of Season
Nov 12, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher looks up at the score board in the second half against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden. The Orlando Magic won 97-95. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
-The Triangle Is Yet To Work
The Knicks just do not get the triangle. Unknown to many people, the triangle isn’t a set offense, but instead just a way to play basketball. There aren’t set plays while running the triangle, it is more a read and react system that requires talented and high IQ players; something that could be argued the Knicks have very little of each. That has caused plenty of growing pains and lapses offensively.
This season the Knicks average only 92.7 points per game, which is good enough for second to last in the NBA, with only the Philadelphia 76ers scoring less. They have managed to reach 100 points only eight times, which is really surprising when you have offensive fire power in the way of Anthony, Stoudemire and J.R. Smith.
The implementing of the triangle offense has not gone well, as the Knicks have had multiple players speak about how difficult it was to pick up on. J.R. Smith was the most vocal about it, as it goes against everything he has done in his career basketball wise. One player does not make or break a system, as the current collection of Knicks players just does not fit the long-term plan being put in place.
It has not been a total failure though, as there have been a couple of players who have flourished. Cole Aldrich has performed admirably when called upon, playing plenty of more minutes than he had expected. Quincy Acy has also grown, and is becoming more confident offensively after coming to the team known as only a limited energy player.
At the same time when two players who weren’t originally a part of your rotation are some of the only bright spots, it is a problem. Currently it is easy to say that the triangle offense and transition is not going well for Fisher and the Knicks.