Is the triangle to blame for Knicks’ horrible defense, too?
James Harden with an easy bucket against the Knicks. Photo: Getty Images
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Leave it to new Knicks shooting guard Courtney Lee to come up with one of the more interesting theories of the past three years on why Phil Jackson’s teams haven’t defended well.
Following another inept defensive outing against the Rockets on Wednesday, when the Garden crowd booed the Knicks in their second home game, Lee suggested that in practice the players are defending against triangle sets and therefore don’t get a long look at a standard pace-and-space, pick-and-rolling club such as the Rockets.
The implication is they need to change up practice or have a scout team for the starters to go against.
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“We run the triangle, we practice against it a lot,” Lee said after the 118-99 slaughter in which the Knicks gave up 68 first-half points. “I think we need to practice against pick and rolls, practice against other looks and whatnot and get accustomed, get comfortable with that.
“Because that’s what other teams are running. They’re coming in here, they’re spacing the floor and doing that and we’re not getting stops.”
To date, Lee is best known as a Knick for being the student in Phil Jackson’s 15-minute triangle tutorial in front of reporters after Monday’s practice.
Lee’s remarks also came after coach Jeff Hornacek came down harder on the club than at any point in preseason or the opening three games. In preseason, the Knicks allowed 107 points per game — second-worst in the league. In the regular season, they are ranked 28th in defensive efficiency (points allowed per 100 possessions), considered the most accurate barometer.
Hornacek said players are too easily looking for a help defender instead of focusing on their primary defensive assignment.
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Jeff Hornacek huddles with Knicks against Rockets.Photo: AP
“It’s not like we haven’t done defense in practice,” Hornacek said. “Guys are offensive-minded guys, but we have to play both ends. Defense has been taught and preached. It’s half of practice every time. Sometimes guys just have to take it upon yourself to stop somebody. Not look for help.”
Hornacek is without his his defensive coordinator from Phoenix, Mike Longabardi, who jumped to Cleveland after he got fired by the Suns last season. Hornacek was interested in hiring Longabardi for the Knicks, but he had signed a multi-year deal with the Cavaliers. Hornacek’s staff here doesn’t have a defensive coach per se.
Now Hornacek seems on the defensive, even stating the players aren’t following “the scouting report’’ the assistants are delivering to them. The big problem is three starters, Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis (other than shot-blocking), aren’t instinctive players on defense.
At least Joakim Noah and Rose should know the opponent’s tendencies Friday in Chicago.
Other observations:
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Maurice Ndour defends the Rockets’ Eric GordonPhoto: Getty Images
— Rose certainly has proven he can blast to the rim, but he’s not making his mates better or finding enough guys on kick-outs. James Harden had more assists in one game (15) than Rose has through four games (10). He has talked about figuring out how to set up guys in triangle sets. It may be an effect of missing 16 days of preseason to attend his civil sexual assault trial.
— Maurice Ndour saw action for the second straight game, posting 18:37. Hornacek feels he’s a defense-first guy. Meanwhile, Hornacek reduced struggling Lance Thomas’ minutes to just 9:43. Rookie Mindaugus Kuzminskas was only brought in for garbage time – the final 5:56, in which he scored six points, or six more than Noah
