Knicks Plan Role Adjustments as They Defend Their Title

The Knicks believe last season's playoffs were just the start. Their postseason showed a refreshed offense that sparked a dominant championship run, though it began as a quick fix after trailing 2-1 against the Hawks in the first round. This year, they have more time during training camp and preseason to refine and expand on that approach.

Jalen Brunson shared his optimism after the first practice: "I feel like we can do a lot more, do a lot of different things. We unlocked something last year in the playoffs when it was needed, and it worked. It'll be exciting to integrate that from the season's start."

Karl-Anthony Towns’ New Role Remains Central

The biggest change involved using Karl-Anthony Towns as a key playmaker at the elbows, allowing him to handle the ball more. This shift freed Brunson to move off the ball and lessened his playmaking load. Towns’ passing drew opposing centers away from the paint, creating space for OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to cut and set screens, boosting the Knicks' offensive efficiency dramatically.

This role will still be important this season but with possible new variations.

"We're playing more with KAT at the elbow than last regular season," coach Mike Brown said. "After a year together, we better understand each player's capabilities. I didn't know if OG could be as effective in pick-and-roll as he was, same with Mikal. Finding ways to involve them at the top of the floor is something we'll explore."

Brown added, "We have great cutters with size. We'll keep mixing that in. KAT is a strong facilitator; maybe Andre Drummond can be too? Maybe OG moves to the five more than last year. There are many options on both ends, but nothing is set in stone."

Anunoby and Bridges’ Roles Could Shift

Last season, Brown’s system mostly had Anunoby and Bridges stationed in corners for three-point attempts, or "sprays" as he calls them. Both led the NBA in corner three-point attempts—Bridges with 199 and Anunoby with 198 during the regular season.

Both players improved as ball handlers and slashers in the playoffs. Anunoby especially took on offensive leadership, scoring effectively off the dribble and delivering some of his best career performances.

Experimenting with Anunoby away from the corners and more centrally might unlock his full potential, possibly as an All-Star. Using him as a small-ball center is also interesting since Drummond is the only confirmed backup center behind Towns on the roster.

"We'll carry over a lot from last year but also try new things," Brown said. "Some playoff strategies may not work in the regular season, so we'll need to adapt and aim to peak near playoffs with confidence."

Team Adaptability and Communication Key

This flexibility was possible because veteran players adjusted their roles for the team’s benefit, based on honest communication.

Brunson noted, "As a group, we realized we need each other to win and to stay on the same page. You never know when things click, but if you keep working and pushing, eventually it breaks."

With a fresh season ahead, the Knicks are ready to tap into new opportunities.