Mike Brown speaks on the Knicks' need for physicality after loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.
The New York Knicks are on a slide to start the new year, dropping three straight games since New Year's Eve.
On Saturday, the Knicks lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 130-119.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Knicks head coach Mike Brown spoke about the lack of physicality from his squad.
"The biggest thing, right now, is we want to be physical defensively. Guys are up in us. We try to to run a DHO [dribble handoff] and they're getting in our bodies and blowing it up. Even pick and roll situations, they're up in us, and we're not able to come off the pick and roll, turn the corner, and come downhill. Defensively, we want to do the same."
"Right now, we're not as physical as we should be at the point of attack. We're not navigating the ball screen at the point of attack. When we do, we're picking up a foul here or a foul there and sending guys to the free-throw line. Our physicality, as well as our shifts, have to be better so we can help protect the paint a little bit more," said Brown.
Defensive Issues
Over the last three games, the Knicks have given up an average of 125 points, including two 130+ point games from opposing teams.
Opponent scoring for the last three games is well above the Knicks season average of only giving up 114.5 points per game, which is good enough for 11th in the league.
As mentioned by Brown, the team has not protected the paint during this recent slide. The San Antonio Spurs had 50 paint points, the Atlanta Hawks had 58 paint points, and the Sixers had 54 points in the paint.
In total, the Knicks have been outscored 162-120 in the paint during this losing streak.
Loss of Josh Hart
Josh Hart has missed the last five games, which coincides with the Knicks slippage on the defensive end.
The Knicks are giving up 122 points per 100 possessions over the past five games, which is fourth-worst in the league. With Hart as a starter, the Knicks had the number 11 defense in the league, giving up 113 points per 100 possessions.
Hart is not only a strong point of attack defender, but he also creates turnovers and causes chaos with his energy and effort.
Hart has been cleared for light court work and will be re-evaluated in a week.