Knicks Coach Reveals Brutally Frank Opinion As Offense Takes The Night Off

New York has been one of the worst defensive units through efficiency grades to start the 2024 season. While their offense has been one of the best, when the team isn't shooting well in a particular game - like Saturday - their defense hasn't been able to pick them up. 

And it's something that a brutally frank Thibodeau knows must change. 

“You have to win games in different ways. So the nights in which you’re not shooting well, you want your defense, your rebounding, and your low turnovers to carry you. And if you do those three things, you’re going to be in position to win regardless of how you shoot the ball," Thibodeau said.

“Some nights, no one shoots the ball great for 82 games. If you’re not shooting well, just do other things that can help us win.”

New York shot below 40% from the field in the loss on the road to Utah while the Jazz shot over 50% from both the field and from three. This came after two straight games where the offense put up over 130 points for the first time since 1988. 

If the Knicks are going to be true title contenders this season, their defense will need to improve drastically. Otherwise, the team will continue to struggle to find ways to win when things aren't always perfect offensively.