Net rating is a stat Tom Thibodeau swears by. It’s a straightforward metric: the difference between how many points a team scores and how many it allows per 100 possessions. For Thibodeau’s Knicks, it’s a barometer of progress, and right now, it tells the story of a team excelling offensively but struggling to find its defensive identity.
The Knicks rank sixth in net rating among all NBA teams, propelled by a high-octane offense that leads the league. After blockbuster offseason trades for Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges, New York boasts the most potent scoring team in basketball, averaging 121 points per 100 possessions.
As of Tuesday, just ahead of their NBA Cup showdown with the Orlando Magic, the Knicks had poured in 2,356 total points over their first 20 games. That’s only three points shy of the Los Angeles Lakers, who’ve played an extra game, and 19 points fewer than the Magic, who’ve played two more games. The Knicks also rank in the top 10 in assists per game, a testament to how well their revamped offense is functioning.
“I just think [it’s] all-around play,” Thibodeau said ahead of Tuesday’s game. “Playing unselfishly, creating advantages for each other, taking good shots. We want to be top-10 on both sides of the ball. I think we’ve established that for the past couple of years, we’ve been pretty highly rated offensively.”
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley added his perspective: “It’s high-powered. I mean, you’ve got Jalen [Brunson] who’s capable on any given night of giving you 40. KAT, able to do the same. Mikal coming into rhythm now. Josh [Hart] on the glass, grabbing offensive rebounds. They’re shooting 39 percent from three as a team, 50 percent from mid[-range] and around the basket.”
But while the Knicks’ offense is firing on all cylinders, the defense hasn’t kept pace — and that’s what’s hampering an otherwise elite net rating.
The Knicks have the ninth-worst defensive rating in the league, allowing 114.6 points per 100 possessions. They’re giving up 117.8 points per game, the seventh-most in the NBA, and rank in the bottom 10 in three-pointers made, allowed, and opponent three-point percentage. These numbers highlight glaring weaknesses that have kept the team from achieving balance on both ends of the floor.
Thibodeau, however, doesn’t fixate solely on these defensive shortcomings. He’s quick to point out the areas where the Knicks excel defensively, even if they’re overshadowed by their overall struggles.
The Knicks rank among the league’s best in points allowed in the paint, with only five teams conceding fewer field goals in the restricted area. They also allow the fifth-fewest second-chance points, trailing only the Magic, Clippers, Suns, and Celtics. Additionally, they rank in the top 10 in rebound rate — a critical factor in closing out defensive possessions.
It’s worth noting the absence of two key defenders: Mitchell Robinson, the team’s defensive anchor, is still recovering from ankle surgery while Precious Achiuwa, sidelined since the preseason with a hamstring strain, has yet to make his debut.
“I look at it in totality. That’s the big thing,” Thibodeau said. “Would I like us to challenge shots better? Yeah. That’s a big thing. I still think there’s a lot of things we can do better on offense, [too]. So I don’t want to stray away from striving for daily improvement on both sides of the ball. In the end, you want to be playing your best at the end of the season. So each day, you try and get better.”
For Thibodeau, net rating isn’t just a snapshot; it’s a roadmap. While the offense powers forward, the defense is a work in progress. The hope is that as key players return and the team continues to gel, the Knicks can achieve the balance they need to contend deep into the season. For now, the numbers reveal both promise and a challenge — one the Knicks seem determined to meet.
