NBA
Draymond Green has spotted big problem with the New York Knicks, ‘they are missing a guy…’
The New York Knicks (16-10) have turned into serious Eastern Conference title contenders in the past few seasons led by point guard Jalen Brunson.
The Knicks are in third place in the East as they are efficient against any opponent, except apparently, the Atlanta Hawks and Trae Young.
The Knicks have lost both matchups this season versus the Hawks. The last time they played was on December 11 in New York. Young and the Hawks defeated the Knicks 108-100 in Madison Square Garden to eliminate them from the NBA Cup.
The loss to the Hawks highlights a problem the team have against explosive point guards like Young, who has a loves to be the villain for the Knicks and their fans.
Knicks have a Trae Young problem
Knick fans haven’t had much to complain about when it comes to the roster and the identity of their team recently. This season, New York has seen solid production from point guard Jalen Brunson and power forward Karl-Anthony Towns, along with rising star OG Anunoby.
But after Young accounted for 22 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and one steal in his recent win, he celebrated on the court by pretending to roll a dice on the Knicks logo.
Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green and former NBA player Baron Davis talked about Young’s performance and his antics on the court, and how a lack of leadership to interrupt the Hawks star’s celebration highlighted a problem for the team.
Speaking on YouTube, Green explained: “The exact reason he is the New York killer is the main reason why he feels comfortable, just rolling dice on the logo and knowing nothing ain’t going to happen, they don’t have anybody on their team that’s to stop him.
“They don’t have anybody on their team that’s going to be able to do that.
“That is one of the big problems with the New York Knicks is like when it comes down to it, who’s that guy that’s going to stop him from doing all these shenanigans and it put an end to it?”
“When you own a franchise the way he’s owned them over the last few years, ain’t nothing they can do it.”
Knicks missing a key player
The Knicks have several great players that can rely on for a potential Eastern Conference title run. Brunson is the team’s shooter and shot creator while Towns is the leader in the paint.
Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are the players to create shots at the wing. Finally, Josh Hart is a player who plays with tenacity and effort. What they lack is a player that can play elite defense against the ball-handler, which is a key reason why Young has big games.
Young is 5-4 in the last nine games against the Knicks in the regular season. In 21 regular season games against the Knicks, Young is averaging 25.4 points, 9.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.
In the famous division-round matchup between the Hawks and the Knicks in 2021, that started Young’s hatred for the Knicks, Young averaged 29.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game.
New York is ranked ninth in the league in points allowed per game (110.1), so they play well defensively overall.
The keys are in other areas as they last in the league in forcing turnovers (6.7 steals per game). They are also 17th in three-point shooting percentage allowed (36.3%).
They are not the fastest defense in the league as they often find themselves allowing players like Young to have explosive games.
New York could make a trade for a defensive role player or they can utilize Bridges, Anunoby or Hart to slow down the ‘Knicks Killer’ – but it has not worked so far.
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