2024 Knicks report card during NBA All-Star break
The Knicks’ grades going into the All-Star break are listed below.
As late as January, the New York Knicks were virtually unstoppable; however, in February, an injury bug struck. Although New York went into the NBA All-Star break having lost four straight games, they are still 33-22, which means they have won 60% of their games thus far. So let’s assign midseason grades to Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, and the Kincks team on this team report card.
With all of the injuries the Knicks have endured, it is challenging to evaluate their performance prior to the All-Star break. The two significant trades that occurred prior to the trade deadline, one of which was presumably made to conceal some of the previously mentioned injuries, further complicate matters.
When it comes down to it, though, how should the Knicks be evaluated for their play prior to the All-Star break? Here’s a thorough analysis of New York’s triumphs and setbacks at this symbolic—though, by definition, unofficial—halfway point of the season.
Mentoring
Tom Thibodeau, the head coach of the Knicks, is, objectively, a better coach than most. He is renowned for exaggerating his accomplishments. This has benefits and drawbacks.
Positively, point guard Jalen Brunson averaged 35.5 minutes per game while the Knicks went 14-2 in January. Power forward Julius Randle averaged 35 minutes per game, while small forward OG Anunoby averaged 35.7 minutes. Thus, it makes sense to play your best players as often as possible. However, Thibodeau appears to find it extremely challenging to draw the line between too much and too little.
Injury is a clear drawback to playing your stars frequently. And New York has been overtaken by injuries. Anunoby, Randle, forward Bojan Bogdanovic, center Isaiah Hartenstein, and shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo are all sidelined for indefinite periods of time. Mitchell Robinson, who hurt his ankle in December, is likewise still sidelined.
Though there is cause for concern, Thibodeau has also done a fantastic job managing a roster that has changed as a result of trades. Additionally, he is making the most of Brunson, Randle, and company.
It’s hard to look past Thibodeau’s obvious inability to stop relying heavily on his starts, even in the face of blowouts. It’s also impossible to overlook the success he’s had thus far with a team that many believed had hit an organic ceiling.
December was the Knicks’ most productive offensive month of the season, averaging a scorching 121.6 points per game. That was prior to the trade of Anunoby. Even though they haven’t scored as many points (New York averaged 115.4 points per game in January), they have continued to be effective since then.
Despite this, the Knicks’ offensive rating (119.52 points per 100 possessions) places them ninth. Although they were fourth in the offensive rating the previous year, that is objectively higher than their 2022–2023 rating of 118.86. We’ll refer to that as a push.
However, if one looks at individual performance, New York has improved significantly this year, particularly with the addition of Anunoby. Randle averages 24 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, while Brunson averages 27.6 points and 6.5 assists. In addition, Anunoby has blended in flawlessly, Precious Achiuwa’s production has been maximized by the Knicks, and Donte DiVincenzo appears to have been a great offseason addition.
Overall, this is the most consistent Knicks offense since at least 2012. And now that they have a reliable point guard, they can concentrate on developing him.
When healthy, New York’s defense is perhaps their greatest asset. Anunoby, who can guard all five positions, is a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. He relieves pressure from his teammates, offers fantastic defensive support, and—above all—he is a lockdown wing defender.
There’s more to the Knicks defense than Anunoby, though. Underappreciated defender Brunson has the ability to stymie opposing lead guards. DiVincenzo has a surprising amount of grit. Hartenstein did a fantastic job stepping in for Robinson. Achiuwa has proven to be very dependable. After reading all of that, one might wonder if RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley were really as good of defenders as Knicks supporters once believed.
However, Tom Thibodeau’s schemes, which are largely responsible for the Knicks’ success, are the straw that really stirs the drink.
With 114 points conceded per 100 possessions, the Knicks are currently ranked ninth in terms of defensive rating. But that also includes a terrible December in which they allowed 124.8 points per game to opponents. In contrast, when all players except Robinson were healthy in January, they allowed a league-high 100.1 points per game.
As it should, opponents are probably up at night worrying about New York’s defense with Anunoby and Robinson. We’re hoping to witness that as soon as is humanly possible.
