The Knicks Have Quietly Fixed One of Last Season's Weaknesses

Fixing a glaring problem

The New York Knicks had a disappointing season last year, finishing with a record of 35-47 and missing the playoffs. One of the team's biggest weaknesses was their defense, which ranked 29th in the NBA in points allowed per game.

This offseason, the Knicks have made a number of changes to their roster in an effort to improve their defense. They signed veteran point guard Elfrid Payton, who is known for his defensive prowess. They also drafted Obi Toppin, a versatile forward who can defend multiple positions.

Making strides

The Knicks' defense has shown improvement in the preseason. In their first two games, they have allowed an average of 98.5 points per game, which is 10th in the NBA. Payton has been a key part of the Knicks' defensive improvement. He is averaging 3.5 steals per game, which is second in the NBA. Toppin has also been solid on the defensive end, averaging 2.0 blocks per game.

A promising outlook

The Knicks' defense is still a work in progress, but they have shown signs of improvement in the preseason. If they can continue to improve on the defensive end, they will be a much more competitive team in the 2020-21 season.