The New York Knicks' decision to bring Mike Brown on board was all about revitalizing their offensive game plan, steering clear of the stagnation seen under Tom Thibodeau. While there have been promising signs, the question of whether this gamble is truly paying off still lingers, especially now.
For those who kept an eye on the Knicks last season, it's no secret they settled into a league-average offense after January 1. With the investment in talent and resources, mediocrity wasn't an option. The expectations were sky-high.
There have been glimpses of the Knicks rising to the occasion. Even though their offensive rating mirrors last year's, the way they're achieving these numbers feels like an improvement.
They've tapped into their depth, balanced their three-point game, and added some much-needed variety. This version of the Knicks feels like a step up from the 2025-26 squad.
However, the offense is hitting a rough patch again, and it's enough to let doubt creep back in.
The Knicks Offense: A Troubling Trend
Before the All-Star break, the Knicks were shining, ranking third in points per possession with a top-eight half-court rating. But since then, they've slipped to 15th in points per possession and 16th in half-court offense.
The difference between a top-five offense and 15th place is minimal, but in the playoffs, those margins are everything. The Knicks learned this lesson the hard way last season. A prolonged offensive slump is a concern that could escalate into a crisis.
This current rut feels particularly challenging, impacting much of the roster, including their respected captain. Yet, it's not about stagnation; it's about shots not falling. Brown's principles remain intact, but the team is struggling with a case of "Missing Shots We Normally Hit."
Identifying the Slump’s Culprit
Since the All-Star break, the Knicks have seen their three-point shooting drop to 34.8 percent from 37.9 percent. This 3.1-point decline has taken them from fourth to 17th in the league.
The issue isn't the quality of shots; more of their attempts are unguarded. They're just not sinking those open looks, hitting them at a bottom-five rate of 34.9 percent.
Whether this is cause for calm or concern depends on perspective. Key players like OG Anunoby, Jose Alvarado, and Josh Hart are all struggling with their unguarded shots, but these slumps are unlikely to last forever. Jalen Brunson is also underperforming in this area.
Interestingly, these struggles coincide with a resurgence from Karl-Anthony Towns and solid performances from Mohamed Diawara and Landry Shamet. The situation has even prompted Brown to reconsider players like Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek, while Deuce McBride remains out of the picture.
The Knicks should be beyond this kind of offensive struggle. To truly distinguish themselves from last season, they need to climb out of this hole and ensure they don't slip back in.