Knicks' lack of size takes its toll defensively
Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bogut, right, protects the ball as he is double-teamed by New York Knicks' Al Harrington, and David Lee, left, during the first quarter. (February 22, 2010) Credit: AP
GREENBURGH, N.Y. - No matter how much Mike D'Antoni likes to play small, the Knicks will need to focus on getting bigger when the roster is rebuilt this summer.
The Knicks coach for now is content with playing one of the smallest lineups in the NBA, with 6-9 David Lee at center and 6-8 Wilson Chandler at power forward, mainly because it is doubtful any of the top centers from the D-League can step in at this point in the season and have an impact.
"For them to be able to come in and make a difference," D'Antoni said of a potential D-League call-up, "that's tough."
Perhaps in another week or two, when 6-11 Eddy Curry is cleared to practice after recovering from left knee surgery, D'Antoni will take him out of exile. Curry (0.8 blocks per game in his career), has never been a notable stopper, but size is size.
The roster this season actually had a decent amount of it, but that was before last Thursday's deadline, which served a bigger (no pun intended) purpose. Jared Jeffries (6-11) and Jordan Hill (6-10) were sent to the Rockets in the Tracy McGrady / salary-cap relief trade and shunned 7-footer Darko Milicic was sent to the Timberwolves for what essentially became an open roster spot after Brian Cardinal was bought out.
The Knicks are in the bottom fifth in the NBA in interior defense. They are 25th in blocked shots per game (4.17) and have allowed 45.8 points in the paint per game, which is 28th in the league. So it might not just be about getting bigger, but also playing bigger.
"We'll have to double-team more, we'll have to rotate better and be more aggressive in trying to front more and all that," D'Antoni said. "Knowing that we're going to get hurt some there, it's just automatic. But we need to overcome that with running and making shots and moving the ball and being better offensively."
The Knicks held the Celtics to 16 points in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's 110-106 loss in Boston, but five of the Celtics' six field goals in the final quarter were scored in the paint. Thirty of the Celtics' 44 field goals were scored inside.
If the Knicks decide to re-sign Lee, they likely won't keep him at center. Lee may have to consider that when mulling offers from other teams.
At the high end, if the Knicks signed All-Star Chris Bosh, they would get a slight upgrade in defense (1.09 blocks per game this season), but still would need some muscle in the paint to help him. Amar'e Stoudemire is neither a great shot blocker (one per game this season) nor a dedicated defender.
Shaquille O'Neal (1.2) is at the end of his career, but might be a good fit as an affordable bouncer. Marcus Camby (1.96), who has been one of the league's best swatters over the past decade, is also a free agent of interest.
LeBron James, for what it's worth, is averaging just shy of one block per game. But most of his work comes from his patented chase-down maneuvers.
