For many decades, ear-throbbing chants of \u201cDE-FENSE\u201d have reverberated through Madison Square Garden from rabid fans, urging the Knicks to lock in for crucial possessions during critically important moments of a game.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The crowd\u2019s exhortation of the team reflects the defining characteristics of the Knicks\u2019 two championship teams (1970 and 1973) and their last two NBA Finals squads (1994 and 1999): physicality, sturdy defense and mental toughness.<\/p>\n
(As a franchise, the Knickerbockers have appeared in eight finals, playing in the NBA throughout the league\u2019s entire 79-year history)<\/p>\n
Defense indeed does still win championships, evidenced by last season\u2019s titlist, the Oklahoma City Thunder, having the highest defensive rating of all 30 teams in the 2024-25 campaign. Accordingly, the prior season, the Boston Celtics became the league champs, standing on the foundation of the NBA\u2019s second best defensive rating.<\/p>\n
If the Knicks are going to reach championship status this season, then their proficiency and outcomes on the defensive side of the court have to level up. Before defeating the Brooklyn Nets by 113-100 on Monday at the Barclays Center to raise their record to 10-6 heading into last night\u2019s game versus the Hornets in Charlotte, the Knicks put up little resistance against the Magic in Orlando on Saturday night, losing 133-121.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It was one of too many outings this season when the Knicks\u2019 defense was insufficient. Three Magic players scored their season high in points led by forward Franz Wagner\u2019s 37 points, and guards Desmond Bane and Jalen Suggs with 27 and 26 points respectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s going to be stuff that happens, miscommunications, but we weren\u2019t connected,\u201d said Knicks guard-forward Mikal Bridges after the loss. His most concerning comment may have been with respect to the team\u2019s lack of effort and hustle. <\/p>\n
Even without defensive stalwart OG Anunoby, who has not played since leaving the Nov. 14 contest against the Heat \u2014 a 140\u2013132 win \u2014 with a left hamstring strain, and center Mitchell Robinson, one of the league\u2019s top defensive forces who is being limited under left ankle load management, the Knicks\u2019 collective defensive consistency should and could be better.<\/p>\n
Moreover, guard Landry Shamet, who was having an impactful start to this season offensively as well as defensively, left Saturday\u2019s game with what was noted as a sprained left shoulder on the Knicks\u2019 injury report prior to playing the Nets. His return date had not been publicly stated by the Knicks as of Tuesday afternoon. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Without delving deeply into statistics or analytics \u2014 the eye test alone reveals the Knicks\u2019 defensive flaws \u2014 they ranked 15th in defensive rating (115.1 points per 100 possessions allowed) before facing the Hornets, 14th in opponents\u2019 field-goal percentage (46.9%), and 26th in opponents\u2019 three-point percentage (38.4%).<\/p>\n
Coming off of five consecutive road games, the Knicks will be back at MSG tomorrow to meet the Milwaukee Bucks and host the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.<\/p>\n
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