Which initial knicks training should be for the 2025-26 season
Although the Knicks are coming out of their most successful season in 25 years, the club has more questions than answers while the training field is quickly approaching.
First on the document of the new coach Mike Brown It is to determine what initial training will be.
The Knicks have four starters Jalen Brunson, Bridge MikalS, Og anunoby AND City of Karl-Antony. The fifth appetizer remains the big question, with Josh Hart AND Mitchell Robinson Like the two options for Brown to mull out.
Both players bring something different to the table. Hart is a versatile wing that does a lot of dirty work. It is one of the best perimeter players of rebound of the NBA and was the only non -punctual guard of the roster that can push the rhythm and create transition score opportunities last season. Robinson is undoubtedly the best offensive rebound of the NBA and a protector of the quality rim.
The Knicks started last season with Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Hart and Towns like the five initials. The grouping was successful at the beginning, since New York guided the NBA in offensive efficiency during the top 20 games.
However, the offense fell slowly in the standings since opponents used strategies such as having the cities of the wings guard while the centers checked Hart, which was sometimes reluctant to launch. Who suffocated New York’s offense as centers like Ivica Zubac OR Isaiah Hartentein Practically ignored Hart in favor of the protection of the edge.
In the post -station, the initial formation had become a weakness. New York was starting with competitions slowly and showed him in statistics. The five -men unit was a negative 6.2 points for 100 possessions in 335 minutes of playoffs, for NBA statistics.
Then coach of the Knicks Tom Thibodeau He reacted late, finally inserting Robinson in favor of Hart in the game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. With Robinson on the floor with the other four appetizers, the Knicks were slightly better, but they were still exceeded by 3.7 points per 100 holdings in a small size of the sample of 65 minutes during the post -station.
Go big or go home
The Knicks know how well the five initials with Hart have gone. It was the combination to five men most used both in the regular season and in the playoff. At the end of the season, it seemed that the opponents had understood how to defend the group. There is much more to explore with Robinson, who has lost 65 games of the regular season.
12 May 2025; New York, New York, USA; The center of New York Knicks Mitchell Robinson (23) seems to pass after a rebound while the Boston Celtics Jayson Tatum (0) striker defends in the first half during the match four of the second round for the NBA 2025 playoffs at the Madison Square Garden. / Vincent Poor – Imagn images
Towns and Robinson played well together during the playoffs. The combination of two centers was more 8.3 points for 100 possessions in 165 minutes together. The only concern with Robinson to the five is if the individual skills of the cities is confused.
Robinson occupies space in the paint, which will probably leave the cities floating on the perimeter sometimes. According to PBP statistics, Towns’ AT-RIP frequency was 23.5 percent in 165 minutes with Robinson. In 474 minutes without Robinson, that number shoots up to 38 percent.
In addition, Robinson’s presence in the paint could make more difficult for other perimeter players in New York such as Brunson, Bridges and Annoby find the opportunity to score in the paint.
But even if Robinson Mucks on a New York spacing, there is no doubt that his offensive rebound can have a positive effect. The great man led all the players to the offensive rebound rate during the post -station.
Defensive mentality
Robinson should fix the defense of New York, which has been inconsistent for all over the season. The team arrived 13th in the NBA in defensive efficiency during the regular season. Armed with a 7-4 wing opening, the teams are not so aggressive when patrolling the paint.
In the 370 minutes of Robinson on the floor, the Knicks gave up 109.0 points per 100 possessions. When the center was out of the floor, New York admitted 113.3 points per 100 possessions. His presence around the basket will complete the defensive limitations of the cities well.
Hart’s style of play is useful as a reserve. With New York that does not have a real flagship guard outside the bench this season, there is more opportunities for Hart (5.9 assists the last regular season) to be a player of change of peace that allows the second unit of the Knicks to enter the transition and in their half -field crime faster.
Wait that Robinson still has a minute limit. Knicks can go to smaller formations with recently signed Hart and Power Forward Guerschon Yabusele.
In order for the Knicks to have a chance in a championship, the team’s defense must be better. Starting Robinson presents the easiest path to achieve this.