Reigning Champions Hit Early Roadblock
The New York Knicks have made a chaotic start to their title defense. A 98-93 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers marked their fourth defeat of the new season, leaving them with 3 wins and 4 losses.
Philadelphia took control as Tyrese Maxey drove down the lane for easy dunks, while LeBron James sealed the game with a late tip in. Josh Hart ended the night with a bloody bruise on his head. The Knicks currently rank 22nd in offense across the league and are shooting 35.7 percent from three point range.
Contract Talks and Parity Challenges
Off the court, the franchise faces distractions. Contract extension talks for key stars have been paused until the end of the season. There has also been controversy surrounding championship rings.
Head coach Mike Brown acknowledged the slow start but urged patience. Winning back to back titles is difficult in an era where eight different teams have won the championship over the last eight years. Brown compared their situation to climbing a mountain, noting that teams can get knocked back before moving forward again.
Shot Clock Issues and Individual Struggles
The Knicks are struggling with shot selection late in possessions. New York trails only Houston and Charlotte in how often they shoot with four seconds or less on the shot clock. Their 28.8 percent shooting in those late situations places them behind only Portland.
Jalen Brunson is shooting at career low marks from the field and from deep. Swingman Mikal Bridges needed four games to hit his first three pointer and seven games to attempt a free throw. Meanwhile, Brown is rotating Andre Drummond and James Wiseman at backup center after Mitchell Robinson left for Boston in free agency.
Fatigue and Late Game Comebacks
Physical fatigue has also surfaced after a demanding playoff run last spring. After the loss in Philadelphia, Hart admitted the team feels the physical strain and must find a way to get ready physically. Brunson dismissed the comment by joking that Hart is old, but stressed that the squad must put together a full 48 minutes.
Last season, New York rallied from double digit deficits in six playoff games, including a 29 point comeback over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the Finals. This season, those late comebacks have not been as frequent.
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