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New York Knicks: 3 reasons they’ll win a playoff series

By Luke Duffy

DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates with RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks as the Knicks take on the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 16, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TEXAS - APRIL 16: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks celebrates with RJ Barrett #9 of the New York Knicks as the Knicks take on the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter at American Airlines Center on April 16, 2021 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks
Knicks (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Reason No. 1 the Knicks could win a playoff series: Defensive play/identity

Let’s point out the obvious here. If you’re able to score from deep consistently, but that is not even what your identity is built upon, then you are doing something right. This is why the Knicks can feel confident about winning a series in the postseason, they are good in so many areas and have a legitimate star who can carry them.

Where they are best, however, and it is also where they have built an identity as you would expect under coach Thibodeau, is defending. The Knicks have the fourth-best defensive rating in the league (107.9). Even better from their point of view, only one other team in the Eastern Conference, the Philadelphia 76ers, ranks higher than them (second, 106.9).

This defensive style of play has been evident all year, and in the last 15 games, of all players in the league who have played in at least 10 of those contents, the Knicks have three players in Randle (14th), Barrett (15th) and Rose (19th) who rank in the top 20 in defensive win shares.

Even more impressively, Randle (10.1) and Barrett (9.3) rank behind only Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz (11.9) in total defensive win shares for the season. To have two of the top three guys in this category is a real indicator that defensive schemes and styles of play can be built around these players, which Thibodeau has done gleefully.

It is also why he may yet win the Coach of the Year award, although Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns would also be a deserving winner. To take what is still a young roster in a lot of key areas, as well as get what you can out of the likes of Payton, Noel, Taj Gibson and rookie Obi Toppin, is really something.

Building an identity around solid defensive play was always going to be the move here, but it has worked out better than anybody could have imagined. If you watch the Knicks often, you’ll also know they never know when they’re beat either. If they start slow offensively or struggle to contain an opponent, the heads never drop. They keep plugging away, and it pays off.

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