Hoops Habit
Fansided

DeMar DeRozan would not have helped the Knicks

By Zamir Bueno

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 04: DeMar DeRozan #11of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 04, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 04: DeMar DeRozan #11of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball during the 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 04, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana, NBA MVP Ladder: Top 5 MVP candidates at the All-Star break. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
DeMar DeRozan would not have helped the Knicks
May 13, 2021; New York, New York, USA; San Antonio Spurs’ DeMar DeRozan (10) passes away from New York Knicks’ Nerlens Noel (3) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Frank Franklin II/POOL PHOTOS-USA TODAY Sports /

DeMar DeRozan would not have helped the Knicks: How the Knicks would have used him

At first glance, it would appear that New York would be an ideal fit for DeRozan because they are near the top of the league in the pick and roll. The Knicks are currently in the top 10 in pick and roll possessions, averaging 21.5 per game. However, when you look beneath the surface, DeRozan is not that good of a fit.

The New York Knicks primarily use their wings as floor-spacers. For example, Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier have taken over 53.8 percent of their shots from behind the arc, averaging a minimum of 5.4 attempts per game. More importantly, Walker and Fournier have taken less than 16 percent of their shots in the mid-range, averaging 1.5 per game.

The role of New York Knicks’ guards is related to the skillset of the rest of the starting lineup. The remaining three players in the New York Knicks’ starting lineup are most efficient inside of the arc, in RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson. They all shoot above 54 percent in the restricted area.

A potential counterpoint to this argument would be that Barrett has a career three-point shooting percentage of 36.4 percent on 4.4 attempts per game. However, those statistics are inflated by last season when he shot 40.1 percent on 4.3 attempts per game.

If last season is removed from the equation, Barrett is shooting 34.1 percent on 4.5 attempts per game. The professional ranks aren’t the only place he has struggled from behind the arc. He shot 30.8 from behind the arc in the college on 6.2 attempts.

The starting lineup limitations would have forced DeRozan to spend more time off the ball. Unfortunately, DeRozan hasn’t been an efficient three-point shooter throughout his career. Before this season, DeRozan only made 28.1 percent of his attempts on 1.5 shots per game.

He has slightly elevated his three-point shooting percentage this season as he has shot 34.8 percent on 1.8 attempts per game. However, DeRozan’s percentage is still below the league average.

Next. 5 teams that should target Schroder on the buyout market. dark

Home/New York Knicks