New York Knicks: The Logjam At Shooting Guard

Outside of Carmelo Anthony, the New York Knicks have had limited options, in terms of scoring, over the past three seasons. Shooting guard is one spot in particular that New York hasn’t found a consistent performer for just yet.

First, Donnie Walsh, then president of basketball operations, had drafted Iman Shumpert out of Georgia Tech in the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. With the pick, New York thought they were getting an explosive, athletic point guard, and while that turned out to be true, it didn’t last. Shumpert suffered a torn ACL in the playoffs his rookie season and hasn’t been the same since.

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Embattled and often controversial scorer, J.R. Smith signed a contract with the Knicks following the 2011-12 lockout, and joined Shumpert. The next two and half years were nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, with the New Jersey native encurring multiple suspensions and fines – in addition to clashing with former coach Mike Woodson.

Next, Tim Hardaway Jr. was added to the SG carousel in 2013, making it a trio of guards who would each bring something different to the table. Hardaway Jr., known as mainly a skilled shooter in college, contributed to Woodson’s team in mainly the same way. However, he struggled with his consistency over the course of the 2013-14 season.

Last season, each player had his inefficiencies, especially on defense. For Smith and Hardaway Jr., two players who aren’t known for being above average defenders, they get a pass for now. Shumpert does not.

For a player that exhibited so much fire and tenacity, in going up against the likes of Dwyane Wade or Kobe Bryant, his efforts last season seemed to pale in comparison towards his rookie campaign. Maybe you can chalk that up to injury, or because of lackluster coaching and a subsequent coaching change. Whatever the case may be, there were was no excuse for the lack of talking on defense, which Hardaway Jr. himself admitted to at Knicks Media Day.

"“I think I can be more effective talking on the defensive end. Last season, I wasn’t really good at that,” said the second-year guard out of Michigan."

Despite their troubles, the team ranked seventh and eighth in OPP PPG over the last two seasons. Former center Tyson Chandler questioned the teams defensive effort multiple times last season, like making the switch on pick and rolls. Many times Shumpert, Smith or Hardaway Jr. was burned leaving a big to clean up the mess.

Not only that, but the guards were given a bit of leeway by Woodson, in terms of doubling the post. At least, Shumpert said he was.

"“Last year, they [coaching staff] really trusted me enough to use my judgement with those doubles. If I dealt with the post, it was out of our rotation,” said Shumpert. “Sometimes it’s part of the gameplan or me being overly aggressive.”"

The Knicks ranked in the bottom half of the league in terms of defensive efficiency last year. With Derek Fisher, now in the fold as head coach, one can expect that this team will play some defense. Fisher was as hard nosed as they come.

On the offensive side of things, it’s clear who possesses the most talent, at the moment anyway, and that’s Smith. Smith’s credentials are impressive. He’s a former Sixth Man of the Year Award winner and a career 37 percent three-point shooter. His numbers last season actually bellied those from his award-winning year.

In 2012-13, Smith took 35 percent of his shots from downtown, but last season he took 50 percent of his shots there. While he was not as gun-shy, he drained them at a better rate at nearly 40 percent; his third best average for his career. Subsequently, his trips to the foul line went down but so did his turnovers. Smith also attempted three less field goals per game.

So while his player efficiency rating dropped from 2012 to 2013, I look at last season as a success for the 29-year-old. In a role, where he will likely see a lot of open shots now that he’s in the triangle, Smith should fare well. The more deadly he becomes from downtown, the easier life will be for himself as well as Anthony and others.

Smith referred to his team’s three-prong attack as “a dynamic trio like with running backs in football.” His cohorts in the backfield are Shumpert and Hardaway Jr. Shumpert has a lot to lose here with Smith and Hardaway locked up past next season. The Knicks can either negotiate a contract extension with the 24-year-old, something that the Knicks don’t appear to be inclined to do, or let him test restricted free agency.

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Right now is make or break time, if he wants to elevate his stock. Smith downplayed any rivalry between the two going into the 2014-15 season.

"“If I don’t push him then he doesn’t push me. I don’t think it brings out the right message [for Hardaway Jr.],” said Smith."

Shumpert’s shooting numbers were abysmal last season, that’s putting it lightly, and his defensive game never followed him past his rookie season. Trade rumors surrounded Shumpert, whom sprained his MCL in February of this year. With little success last year, and Smith coming up big as a starter at the end of last season, he will need to perform well and impress Fisher if he hopes to retain his starting position.

This summer, Shumpert worked out at the famed IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The fourth-year guard spent time doing a lot of workouts and jumps off two legs.

"“This year I’m trying to raise my level of professionalism,” said Shumpert, elluding to trade rumors. “It helped me realize that I’m only 24 and I have nothing to be down or mad about.”"

Hardaway Jr. has a lot of potential and can potentially supplant Smith and Shumpert following this season, but as we’ve seen, potential is a word to be thrown around loosely in the NBA.  The upstart 22-year-old showed a lot of it during the Las Vegas Summer League, where he led the Knicks in ppg and shot the ball at an above average .444/.380/.820 clip. If he continues this torrid pace, he will undoubtedly impress Fisher and earn a bigger role in the lineup.

As my preseason prediction, I will say Smith gets the nod to start over Shumpert to begin the season.