Tom Thibodeau insists Knicks' offense is top of the league despite struggles

In Charlotte, North Carolina, the New York Knicks faced challenges with their offense in recent games, particularly when up against full-switching defenses utilized by their opponents. Following a close victory against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, November 29, 2024, where the Knicks won with a score of 99-98, head coach Tom Thibodeau addressed the media, emphasizing his belief in the offensive capabilities of his team. He pointed out that despite low scoring in recent matches, the Knicks are ranked first in the league for points per possession. Thibodeau dismissed worries about their struggle against defenses that switch players extensively, a strategy that has been increasingly used in the league. Thibodeau’s comments came in the aftermath of a mix of opinions about the Knicks' performance. Josh Hart, a key player for the Knicks, acknowledged that the team has been having difficulties adapting to the constant switching, which he believes has bogged down their offense, citing struggles in games against the Celtics, Rockets, and Mavericks, as well as their latest encounter with the Hornets. In these games, the Knicks' scoring was adversely affected, particularly in the first quarters, where they managed only 15 points against both the Hornets and Mavericks. This lack of scoring early on contributed to their lower overall point totals in those matches, which raised concerns about their offensive rhythm. The switching defense employed by their opponents not only slowed the Knicks’ offense but also created mismatches that left smaller defenders against larger players like Karl-Anthony Towns. Thibodeau acknowledged the presence of switching strategies throughout the season, noting that most teams implement such approaches, particularly switching 1-through-4 or even 1-through-5 depending on their personnel. The Knicks have been seeing such defenses consistently, making Thibodeau's reassurance about their standings in the league crucial as the team needs to find solutions to these defensive strategies as the season progresses. Mikal Bridges, a player on the Knicks, also noted that they are looking for ways to improve their scoring efficiency, especially to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line. His comments hinted at the team’s efforts to adjust their approach in light of the recent defensive challenges. As the Knicks analyze their performance trend, their ability to adapt to defensive tactics and maintain their offensive efficiency will be key to their success moving forward in the season.