Out of the numerous issues with the New York Knicks last season, it’s quite surprising to know that defense wasn’t a top concern. Ranking as the seventh-best defensive team (in terms of points allowed per game), New York’s troubles became apparent in the playoffs when second-leading scorer J.R. Smith absolutely disappeared. It looks as if they are attempting to build a team that is balanced on both sides of the basketball. This offseason, team management decided to take a gamble on 33-year-old Metta World Peace, who wanted to return to his hometown after being amnestied by the Los Angeles Lakers.
While Metta World Peace’s offense has been cringe-worthy to Lakers fans, his defense is still worth having. Photo Credit: Lucyrk, Flickr.com
As a longtime Lakers fan, there have been ups and downs with World Peace’s game since coming to Hollywood in the summer of 2009. Considered a lockdown defender at the small forward position in his prime, any NBA fan would tell you that his offense hasn’t greatly helped the Lakers since their 2010 Championship. During the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons, World Peace averaged career lows in scoring and rebounding. This most recent season, his 12.4 points per-game average could have arguably been due to the injuries of Steve Nash, Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol. World Peace took 11 shots per game, his highest average as a Laker. When the team was deprived of their stars’ production for majority of the season, it opened the door for World Peace and his green light from the perimeter.
In New York, however, he should have an even smaller role on the offensive end of the floor.
With a lineup that includes the NBA scoring champion, Carmelo Anthony, as well as Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith, World Peace’s bench production will mainly center on his defensive efforts. Keep in mind, the Knicks have recently added 7’0″ shooter Andrea Bargnani and are still anxious to see if Amar’e Stoudemire can produce to a level that justifies his salary.
What is the problem with all of the offensive weapons in New York?
They are individual defensive liabilities. Smith, Anthony and Stoudemire tend to rely on their offense to get them through the regular season, but fail to get anything accomplished in the playoffs. This is due to their only priority being to score the ball.
Adding World Peace to the second unit will give them experienced on-ball defense, as well as a player that is used to playing with a perennial All-Star. You have to wonder how the years of being next to Kobe Bryant will affect World Peace’s mentality when he joins Anthony in the Big Apple.
World Peace may experience his lowest production in offense, mainly due to Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith. Photo Credit: Bmantis, Flickr.com
Offensively, something tells me that World Peace is going to want a bigger role once he realizes Smith and Stoudemire are going to be the leaders of the bench. Transitioning from a starter in Los Angeles to a seventh or eighth man in New York could be extremely tough for his ego to take. With that being said, hopefully his desire to get another championship (this time in the city he grew up in) will outweigh his desire to put up scoring numbers. Knicks fans should manage their expectations and only envision six or seven points per game from World Peace.
Defensively, I’m one of those old-fashioned fans that believes a player never really loses his skill on this end of the floor. When guarding his matchup night in and night out, World Peace is going to make a difference. If coach Mike Woodson makes it the team’s No. 1 priority to improve defensively, the duo of Tyson Chandler and Metta World Peace could be playing significant minutes together.
Without a doubt, the Knicks have improved their small forward depth concern from last season. While adding Bargnani to the frontcourt will generate more points, his 4.8 career rebounds per game is something that seems ridiculous for a 7-foot talent in this league. World Peace and Bargnani each have their strengths that will help this struggling team in the postseason, but yet not enough to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.