The New York Knicks passed up one shot after another (for worse shots), failed to manage the clock and lost the game. They may have run a perfect drive and kick drill for a practice session but game situations demand that a team know what shot they want to take, what they can settle for and what they can’t do (jack threes and commit loose ball fouls).
During many critical plays, the Knicks fail to get a great scoring chance (such as a Carmelo Anthony drive or post up or an open look). And sometimes, there’s a reason that they’re leaving you open.
Here are the shots the Knicks could have taken January 4th vs. the Houston Rockets, starting when the game was tied at 100.
In a tied game:
- Carmelo Anthony/Tyson Chandler High Screen: 1.12 points per possession
- Carmelo Anthony Drive: 1.66 points
- Iman Shumpert Left Wing Three: 1.23 points
- Carmelo Anthony Corner Three: 0.75 points
- Beno Udrih Corner Three: 1.5 points (missed)
After the ball is tipped out:
- Beno Udrih Right Wing Three: 1.13 points
- J.R. Smith Three: 0.87 points (missed)
Down two points:
- Carmelo Anthony Left Elbow Isolation: 0.92 points
- Iman Shumpert One-Dribble Pull-Up: 0.84 points (missed)
- Andrea Bargnani at Rim: 1.17
- Carmelo Anthony Drive: 1.66 points per possession (and it’s to the left side!)
- Beno Udrih Corner Three: 1.8 points
- J.R. Smith Left Wing Three: 1.2 points
- Beno Udrih Floater: 0.77 (maybe less since it was rushed and contested) (missed)