NBA Power Rankings: New Year's Resolutions for Every Team

NBA Power Rankings: New Year’s Resolutions for Every Team

Dec 28, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard Wesley Matthews (2) celebrate against the New York Knicks during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 101-79. Mandatory Credit: Godofredo Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

4 of 31

Dec 27, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after being called for a foul against the Sacramento Kings in the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings won 135-129 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

28. New York Knicks

Previous: No. 27

Record: 5-28

Last Week: 0-3

New Year’s Resolution: Improve Perimeter Defense

The New York Knicks are in the midst of one of the most abysmal seasons in franchise history. No player is truly performing up to par, and that creates a team that underachieves at an extreme level.

For the Knicks to even begin to turn things around, they must improve their perimeter defense.

New York presently ranks No. 28 in defensive efficiency, allowing 109.1 points per 100 possessions. It’s a number that’s somewhat expected given the Knicks’ absence of elite defensive players.

Just don’t fool yourself into believing that the interior is to blame.

According to NBA.com, the Knicks actually rank No. 2 in opponent field goal percentage at the rim. Despite playing without a notoriously dominant rim protector, New York’s problem hasn’t been protecting the basket.

It’s been defending the perimeter.

The Knicks rank dead last in opponent 3-point field goal percentage. Not only is New York bad in defending the perimeter, but it’s allowing opponents to shoot 39.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Any team that allows its opponents to shoot nearly 40 percent from distance will face an uphill battle.

Next: A Crushing Blow