Knicks Explore New Strategies and Roles to Defend Their Title

The Knicks’ playoff run last year might have only been a glimpse of what’s possible. Their postseason performance introduced a fresh offensive approach that powered a dominant championship streak. This shift came out of urgency during their first-round series against the Hawks when they faced a 2-1 deficit. Now, with a full training camp and preseason ahead, the team has the chance to refine and expand on that style.

"I feel like we can do a lot more, do a lot of different things," Jalen Brunson said after the Knicks' first practice this season. "We unlocked something in the playoffs at a critical moment and it worked. It’ll be exciting to bring that into the entire season from the start."

Towns as Offensive Hub Remains Central

A major change last season was how Karl-Anthony Towns was used offensively—positioned at the elbows to handle the ball and facilitate plays. This eased some playmaking pressure off Brunson, letting him operate more off the ball. Towns’s passing pulled opposing centers away from the paint, opening opportunities for OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to excel as cutters and screen setters. The result was a surge in the Knicks’ offensive efficiency.

This role for Towns will stay central this season, though coach Mike Brown hinted at new possibilities. "We’ll play KAT at the elbow more than last regular season. After a year together, we understand our players better — OG and Mikal surprised me with their pick-and-roll effectiveness," Brown explained. "We want to keep finding ways to involve those guys at the top of the floor." He added, "We have great cutters with size. Maybe Andre Drummond can also facilitate from there. Maybe OG shifts to the five spot more than last year. There are many directions to explore, on both offense and defense. Nothing is set in stone."

Potential Role Shifts for Anunoby and Bridges

Last year, Brown's system mostly had Anunoby and Bridges staying in the corners for kick-out three-pointers—called "sprays" by Brown. They led the league in corner 3-point attempts during the regular season with 199 and 198 shots respectively. That was a key part of the offense.

Yet in the playoffs, both improved as ball handlers and slashers, taking more control of their shots. Anunoby especially stepped up, sometimes carrying the offense with strong dribble scoring and career-best output.

Allowing Anunoby to spend more time away from the corners and closer to the middle could unlock his All-Star potential. Using him as a small-ball center is notable, especially since Drummond is the only backup center guaranteed a roster spot behind Towns.

Brown noted, "We'll carry over a lot from last year but also try new things. What worked in the playoffs might not suit the regular season, so we need to be ready to adjust throughout the year. Ideally, by playoff time, we want to be trending upward and confident to push forward."

Teamwork and Adaptability Key to Success

This willingness to adapt came from a veteran group ready to shift roles for the team's benefit. Honest communication and close bonds played a big part.

"As a group, we realized we need each other to win," Brunson said. "You never know when things will click, but if you keep working every day, eventually the breakthrough comes."

Now, the Knicks have a new challenge ahead—another rock to tap.