Knicks Explore New Roles to Defend Their Title with Fresh Strategies

The Knicks’ playoff run last year was just a teaser for what’s ahead. Their postseason offense evolved sharply during the playoffs, sparking a powerful championship push after they trailed 2-1 against the Hawks in the first round. This shift came out of necessity but proved effective enough that the team now has a full training camp and preseason to refine and expand on it.

"I feel like we can do a lot more, do a lot of different things," Jalen Brunson said following the Knicks' first practice of the season. "We unlocked something last year at a critical moment, and it worked. It’s going to be exciting to bring that in from the start of this season."

New Offensive Dynamics Around Karl-Anthony Towns

A major change involved using Karl-Anthony Towns as a focal point at the elbows, handling the ball and facilitating more. This freed Brunson to play off the ball and eased his playmaking load. Towns’s passing skills pulled opposing centers away from the paint, allowing teammates like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to thrive as cutters and screeners around him. The Knicks' offensive efficiency surged as a result.

This setup will remain key this season, with coach Mike Brown hinting at some tweaks. "We’ll keep playing with KAT at the elbow more than last regular season," he explained. "After spending a year with this group, we better understand what players like OG and Mikal can do in pick-and-roll situations. Finding new ways to involve them at the top of the floor is a focus."

Brown added possibilities such as featuring other big men like Andre Drummond in facilitation roles and experimenting with moving OG Anunoby to center at times. "There are many paths we can take on both ends of the floor. Nothing is set in stone," he said.

Expanding Roles for Anunoby and Bridges

Last season, Anunoby and Bridges mostly stayed in the corners shooting three-pointers—what Brown calls "sprays." They led the NBA in corner 3-point attempts, with 199 for Bridges and 198 for Anunoby. But both improved their ball-handling and slashing during the playoffs, with Anunoby especially stepping up as a scorer off the dribble.

Giving Anunoby more time away from the corners and closer to the middle could help unlock his potential as an All-Star-caliber player. Using him as a small-ball center also makes sense since Drummond is currently the only confirmed backup center behind Towns.

Adapting and Evolving Throughout the Season

Coach Brown emphasized that while much from the playoffs will carry over, the regular season might require adjustments. "We need to be ready to evolve or pivot as the year goes on," he said. The goal is to head into the playoffs with upward momentum and confidence.

This adaptability depended on a veteran squad willing to embrace new roles for the team's benefit. Open communication and trust were vital.

"As a group, we realized we need each other to win and be on the same page," Brunson said. "You never know when things will click, but if you keep putting in the work every day, eventually the breakthrough comes."

Now, the Knicks have a fresh opportunity to tap into new strategies and build on last year’s success.