Adjustments The Knicks Must Make To Win Game 4

Author: Danny Gardner

Editor: Brian Symons

Game 3 was nothing short of a disaster for the Knicks. Their offense was anemic, their defense was lacking, and the 11-point margin on the final scoreboard didn’t even come close to depicting how badly they were outplayed. Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks were getting virtually whatever they wanted, and they let the Knicks know it too. It is no secret that the Hawks are far more talented than the Knicks, but that does not mean that there are no changes that can be made to give the Knicks a better shot in this series. Benching the atrocity that is Elfrid Payton was a good start, but there are some other things Thibs can do to put the Knicks in a position to win.

1. Make Trae Young work defensively

Trae Young has been a problem for the Knicks defense through the first three games of this series. They simply have no answer for him defensively. However, one way to hinder a terrific offensive player is to make them work defensively, and Trae is a particularly atrocious defender. Set more screens with Bullock to get Young switched on to Rose, Randle, and Barrett. Part of the problem with starting Bullock and playing him so much is that it allows for Young to hide defensively, so possibly exploring more of Burks or Quickley with the other starters could be an option worth exploring as well. Attacking quicker when the switches occur is key. The Knicks (and Randle in particular) are far too slow to attack offensively, and it allows for defenses to set up their traps and their double teams a lot easier. However they do it, forcing Young to work on the defensive end will go a long way toward helping the Knicks slow the Hawks’ star.

2. Use multiple ball handlers when Rose sits

I don’t love having Rose start simply because I love the dynamic of him and IQ coming of the bench together, but I recognize it is a necessity given how bad Payton has been in the starting lineup. The issue however, and this was clear last night, is the team now lacks a primary ball handler when Rose sits. The team tried a trio of Burks, IQ, and Reggie Bullock but that unit was a disaster offensively. When Rose sits, Quickley, Burks, and RJ should be on the court together. This way, you make up for a lack of a primary ball handler by using three secondary ones. Payton puts them in a tough spot, but the Knicks have to be creative in order to solve their point guard problem.

3. Get Randle and RJ going

This one is fairly simple, Julius Randle and RJ Barrett need to make their shots. Randle, who was an All-Star, the league’s Most Improved Player, and will soon likely be named to one of the All-NBA teams, is having an absolutely miserable series. After averaging 24.1 PPG on 46/41/81 percentages, he is scoring only 14.7 PPG while shooting 24/30/86. He has looked tentative, slow, and most concerning of all like he has lost all confidence. He needs to attack before the double comes and get to the line so he can hopefully rediscover his confidence. RJ looked solid in games 1 and 2 but was awful in game 3 and hasn’t shot the ball well overall. One way to get him going I think would be to allow him to initiate more of the offense when Rose and Randle are on the bench. He’s a capable passer in the pick and roll and can be strong finisher especially when attacking weaker defenders. Simply sticking him in the corner and hoping he hits shots is not a great way to get him going when his shot hasn’t been falling. I love his approach and his energy; he just needs to be more involved.

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