Leon Rose is to blame for New York Knicks continued struggles

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) New York Knicks president Leon Rose (C) watches his team play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Madison Square Garden on March 06, 2020 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 126-103. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

The offseason roster moves of New York Knicks president of basketball operations Leon Rose have put Randle in a position to showcase his weakness

Walker’s reduced playmaking role is related to the roster constructed by President of Basketball Operations, Leon Rose. Rose decided to re-sign Nerlens Noel to a $32 million contract for 3 seasons on August 2nd. One day later, Rose chose to re-sign Taj Gibson to a $2.7 million contract for one season.

His decision to bring back those two centers meant that New York had three big men on the roster who needed to be inside the arc on offense. Mitchell Robinson, Gibson, and Noel all have career three-point percentages of below 23 percent.

The lack of shooting from the center position has created an issue, as Walker or Randle is forced to stay behind the arc. New York runs an offense revolving around pick and rolls, isolation, and post-ups.

New York is fifth in pick and rolls as they spend 20.7 percent of their possessions in the offensive set averaging 22.5 per game. Walker currently accounts for 32.4 percent of the team’s pick and rolls, averaging 7.3 per game.

Walker has done most of his playmaking as a pick and roll ball handler throughout his career. Walker has spent 49.6 percent of his possessions in the offensive set, averaging 10 per game. He shoots 43 percent as a pick and roll ball handler on 8.2 attempts per game, creating 9.9 points per game.

Walker doesn’t have a consistent pick and roll partner, though, as the team has chosen to split their roll man possessions among 5 players.

New York is averaging 5.7 roll man possessions per game. Randle leads the team in the category averaging 2.5 per game; the rest are split among Obi Toppin, Gibson, Noel, and Robinson.

The lack of a consistent pick and roll partner has contributed to Randle spending many possessions behind the arc. New York likes to have three shooters surrounding the pick and roll.

Consequently, he has spent 20.1 percent of his possessions in the spot-up shooter role, averaging 4.5 per game. Unfortunately, Randle has struggled in the role, shooting 39.4 percent on 2.7 attempts per game.

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