The New York Knicks are 26-39. It may seem impossible, but the following statistics should help you remain optimistic during this trying season.
Feb 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrates with center Robin Lopez (8) during the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 103-95. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
For fans of the New York Knicks, it’s been difficult to remain optimistic during a season as tumultuous as 2015-16. The Knicks brought their record to .500 and attained a brief possession of a Top 8 seed in the Eastern Conference after the midway point of the season, but have since crumbled under the pressure.
Hard as it may be to believe, there are a number of reasons to remain optimistic about the future of Knicks basketball.
Since opening the season at 22-22, the Knicks have gone 4-17 to drop to the current record of 26-39. Nine of those 17 losses have come by 10 points or more, three have been by three points or less, and another loss was sustained in overtime.
Those 13 excruciating losses, more than any others thus far, have tested the patience of Knicks fans everywhere—so much so that many have embraced the pessimistic mentality of expecting defeat.
Rather than succumbing to the understandable doubt, Knicks fans should maintain positive spirits. The future of the organization is as promising as it’s been since the turn of the century, and evidence of that can be found in the box score.
These five statistics should help you maintain optimism in the midst of another disappointing season.
October 8, 2015</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>A year later, the Knicks are one of the best teams in the NBA at defending the 3-point field goal.</p>
<p>New York is downright atrocious at preventing penetration, but its aging perimeter has held its own against jump shooters. Opponents are converting just <strong>33.6 percent</strong> of their attempts from beyond the arc against the Knicks, which is a massive improvement.</p>
<p>New York has gone from <strong>No. 30</strong> in opponent 3-point field goal percentage in 2014-15 to <strong>No. 6</strong> in 2015-16.</p>
<p>Clearly, the Knicks still have holes on defense. Defending quick point guards appears to be New York’s achilles heel, which thus places the team in danger of allowing open jumpers and creates wider lanes for pick-and-roll operation.</p>
<p>True as that may be, this dramatic improvement against the 3-ball is a testament to <strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksph01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-dailyknicks.com%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Phil Jackson</a></strong>‘s impact. Just as he did as a coach, the executive version of Jackson is focused on improving upon weaknesses.</p>
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<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"https://dailyknicks.com/files/2015/11/carmelo-anthony-nba-preseason-new-york-knicks-boston-celtics.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-54000"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-54000" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_427,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Ffiles%2F2015%2F11%2Fcarmelo-anthony-nba-preseason-new-york-knicks-boston-celtics-590x900.jpg" alt="Oct 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) keeps an eye on the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports" width="590" height="427" /></a><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Oct 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) keeps an eye on the ball during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports</p>
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<h3>4. Carmelo Anthony’s Defense</h3>
<p>If you poll 10 fans of the NBA, at least nine of them will give you the same evaluation of Carmelo Anthony’s game. He’s an all-time scorer who can put up points in any number of ways, but rarely commits himself to putting forth an adequate effort on defense.</p>
<p>After 12 long seasons of inconsistency, Anthony has taken that criticism to heart in year 13.</p>
<p>Merely looking at the basic statistics won’t tell the story of how hard Anthony has worked defensively. His 8.0 rebounds per game are impressive, but it’s the way he’s asserted himself as a more vocal and committed player on defense that truly matters.</p>
<p>The results can be seen in the fact that Anthony is limiting opponents to <strong>40.2 percent shooting</strong> from the field when he’s the primary defender, per <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/2546/tracking/defense/">NBA.com</a>.</p>
<p>Anthony isn’t doing this against scrubs; he’s taking on the player at his position and latching onto them for four quarters. For perspective, his opponents have an average field goal percentage of 45.1 percent—a very efficient mark.</p>
<p>In other words, Anthony is forcing a decline of nearly 5.0 percent in field goal percentage when he’s the primary defender—a borderline elite number.</p>
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<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"https://dailyknicks.com/files/2016/03/dwyane-wade-amare-stoudemire-kristaps-porzingis-nba-miami-heat-new-york-knicks.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-58473"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-58473" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2Fdwyane-wade-amare-stoudemire-kristaps-porzingis-nba-miami-heat-new-york-knicks-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389" /></a><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Feb 28, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward <strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/porzikr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-dailyknicks.com%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kristaps Porzingis</a></strong> (6) shoots between Miami Heat power forward Amar</p>
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<h3>3. Kristaps Porzingis’ 3-Point Barrage</h3>
<p>When Kristaps Porzingis was selected at No. 4 overall in the 2015 NBA Draft, not many knew what to expect. If only one thing was certain, it was that Porzingis brought a unique skill set to the table as a 7’3″ power forward who could shoot with 3-point range.</p>
<p>Having not even completed his rookie season, Porzingis is already making history.</p>
<p>Through 63 games, the 20-year-old rookie has converted 69 3-point field goals. That may not seem like the greatest statistic, but it’s one that accurately illustrates how Porzingis is already a player unlike any we’ve seen in NBA history—and no, that’s not hyperbole.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/psl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&type=totals&per_minute_base=36&per_poss_base=100&lg_id=NBA&is_playoffs=N&year_min=&year_max=&franch_id=&season_start=1&season_end=-1&age_min=0&age_max=99&height_min=87&height_max=99&shoot_hand=&birth_country_is=Y&birth_country=&birth_state=&college_id=&draft_year=&is_active=&debut_yr_nba_start=&debut_yr_nba_end=&debut_yr_aba_start=&debut_yr_aba_end=&is_hof=&is_as=&as_comp=gt&as_val=&award=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&qual=&c1stat=fg3&c1comp=gt&c1val=49&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&c5stat=&c5comp=gt&c6mult=1.0&c6stat=&order_by=ws" rel="nofollow">Basketball-Reference.com</a>, Porzingis’ <strong>69 3-point field goals</strong> are the most any player 7’3″ or taller has ever converted.</p>
<p>Porzingis isn’t narrowly in the lead; he’s made 20 more 3-point field goals than any other player his height or taller. The legendary <strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sabonar01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-dailyknicks.com%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arvydas Sabonis</a></strong> is the closest comparison, and his career-best was 49 in 1996-97.</p>
<p>Porzingis set an NBA record as a rookie, and is already being mentioned in the same breath as Sabonis. Get excited.</p>
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<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"https://dailyknicks.com/files/2016/03/tobias-harris-carmelo-anthony-nba-detroit-pistons-new-york-knicks-1.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-58474"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-58474" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2Ftobias-harris-carmelo-anthony-nba-detroit-pistons-new-york-knicks-1-850x560.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="389" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/files/2016/03/tobias-harris-carmelo-anthony-nba-detroit-pistons-new-york-knicks-1.jpg 850w, https://dailyknicks.com/files/2016/03/tobias-harris-carmelo-anthony-nba-detroit-pistons-new-york-knicks-1-768x508.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" /></a><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Mar 5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks to pass defended by Detroit Pistons forward <strong><a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-dailyknicks.com%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tobias Harris</a></strong> (34) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports</p>
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<h3>2. Carmelo Anthony’s Passing</h3>
<p>Offensively, the New York Knicks have been a complete disappointment in 2015-16. Isolation basketball has been more prevalent than anything else, and although the team does make a high volume of passes, most lead to one-on-one situations that require a player to beat their man individually.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>If any one player is passing to avoid isolation, it’s the one contributor you wouldn’t expect to be doing so: Carmelo Anthony.</p>
<p>Anthony leads the Knicks with a <strong>career-high 4.2 assists per game</strong>. It’s the first time in his 13-year NBA career that he’s exceeded an average of 4.0 assists, and it shatters his previous best of 3.6 dimes per contest—a mark set back in 2011-12.</p>
<p>Anthony embracing a team-first mentality is the first step towards the Knicks competing for a championship.</p>
<p>Clearly, New York lacks the complementary talent necessary for Anthony’s newfound desire to facilitate to be put to good use. As Porzingis improves and New York swings for the fences in free agency, however, Anthony’s ability to distribute will prove vital.</p>
<p>If Anthony remains focused on getting his teammates involved once Phil Jackson reloads the roster with superior talent, New York can genuinely build around ‘Melo as the franchise centerpiece.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">No. 1 in the NBA</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_58469" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"https://dailyknicks.com/files/2016/03/robin-lopez-kristaps-porzingis-nba-boston-celtics-new-york-knicks.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-58469"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-58469" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2Frobin-lopez-kristaps-porzingis-nba-boston-celtics-new-york-knicks-850x560.jpg" alt="Jan 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) high five against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports" width="590" height="389" /></a><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Jan 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) high five against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports</p>
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<h3><strong>1. Most Dominant Interior Defense in the NBA</strong></h3>
<p>Kristaps Porzingis has elite defensive potential as a 7’3″ power forward with a 7’7″ wingspan and the ability to block shots without leaving his feet. Robin Lopez has never received the respect he deserves, but is a committed defender who puts his body to positively influential use.</p>
<p>Together, Lopez and Porzingis have created the most dominant interior defense in the NBA.</p>
<p>The Knicks’ lackluster perimeter defense has enabled teams to penetrate at virtual will, but Lopez and Porzingis are not to fault. Despite Lopez being in his first season with a new team, and Porzingis being a rookie, this duo has gelled without issue.</p>
<p>According to NBA.com, the Knicks are holding opponents to <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2016/03/09/new-york-knicks-5-statistics-to-help-you-remain-optimistic/"http://stats.nba.com/tracking/#!/team/defense/?sort=DEF_RIM_FG_PCT&dir=-1" target="_blank">48.3 percent</a> shooting at the rim—<strong>the No. 1 mark in the NBA.</strong></p>
<p>That’s an astonishingly encouraging truth when one considers how the much trouble the perimeter players have had with preventing penetration. Despite having never played together before, Lopez and Porzingis have experienced no trouble in protecting the rim.</p>
<p>New York’s interior defense should only improve as Porzingis gains more experience and Lopez further develops an understanding of his teammates’ tendencies.</p>
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<p>Objectively speaking, the Knicks are an improved defensive perimeter away from being a genuinely elite team on that end of the floor.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">