Here’s ESPN New York on a key Knicks defensive issue:
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More often than not, defending the pick-and-roll has been a mystery for the Knicks this year.
According to Synergy Sports, they are giving up the second-most points per play in the NBA to both the ball handler and the screener on pick-and-roll plays this season.
At issue is the Knicks’ decision to switch defenders on pick-and-rolls. Often, the switching leads to a mismatch (think small guard defending big man or plodding big man defending a quick point guard).
Mike Woodson wants all of the switching to stop.
“I don’t want to switch,” Woodson said after Thursday’s practice. “I’ve always wanted to put the emphasis on our perimeter guys to guard perimeter players. Bigs are supposed to guard bigs and when there’s some breakdowns there is supposed to be help. It’s a team defense.”
