The New York Knicks have made a splash by acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT), a versatile big man known for his offensive skills. With his arrival, the Knicks are retooling their offensive strategy to maximize Towns’ unique talents. Here are five key ways the Knicks are building their offense around Karl-Anthony Towns:
1. Pick-and-Pop and Pick-and-Roll Combinations
Karl-Anthony Towns is a master of the pick-and-pop game due to his shooting ability. The Knicks are using this to their advantage, incorporating a heavy dose of pick-and-pop plays into their offensive sets. Pairing Towns with playmakers like Jalen Brunson creates a dynamic duo that can pressure defenses in multiple ways. When Towns sets a high screen, defenders are forced to make a tough decision: either stay with him as he pops out for a three-pointer or stick with the ball handler. This opens up opportunities for either Brunson to attack the rim or Towns to get a clean look from beyond the arc.
Additionally, Towns is effective in pick-and-roll situations, especially when he rolls aggressively to the basket. This versatility keeps opposing defenses guessing, allowing the Knicks to adapt their offensive sets depending on matchups and defensive schemes. By utilizing both pick-and-pop and pick-and-roll plays, the Knicks are ensuring that Towns remains a focal point of their attack.
2. Spacing the Floor with Towns’ Shooting Ability
Towns’ shooting ability extends well beyond the arc, making him a significant threat as a stretch five. The Knicks are taking advantage of this by placing him in lineups that emphasize floor spacing. When Towns is on the floor, defenses have to respect his range, which opens up driving lanes for slashing guards and wings like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
With Towns positioned on the perimeter, the Knicks are able to maintain a more open offense, reducing congestion in the paint and allowing for more fluid ball movement. This approach makes it harder for opposing defenses to double-team Towns without leaving someone else open. The Knicks’ commitment to utilizing Towns’ range is allowing them to maintain a more modern, pace-and-space offensive system.
3. Post-Up Opportunities and Mismatch Exploitation
Towns has a well-rounded skill set in the post, where he can score efficiently using his footwork and touch around the basket. The Knicks are capitalizing on this by running plays that get him the ball in favorable positions on the block. When Towns is able to establish position deep in the post, he can either finish with a variety of moves or draw fouls, putting pressure on opposing big men.
Additionally, Towns’ size and skill allow him to exploit mismatches when opposing teams switch on screens. The Knicks are leveraging these situations, looking for opportunities to get Towns isolated against smaller defenders. This creates high-percentage scoring opportunities, as Towns can easily overpower smaller players or use his shooting touch to score over them.
4. Facilitating Through Towns from the High Post
One of the underrated aspects of Towns’ game is his passing ability. The Knicks are integrating this by allowing him to facilitate from the high post or top of the key. This positioning allows Towns to read the floor and find cutters, shooters, or initiate dribble hand-offs. By utilizing Towns as a hub for their offense, the Knicks can keep the ball moving and generate open looks through off-ball movement and backdoor cuts.
Towns’ vision as a passer helps the Knicks keep defenses off balance, as opponents must be wary of both his scoring and his playmaking. This strategy adds another layer to their offense, allowing the Knicks to generate quality looks even when the initial play breaks down.
5. Emphasizing Transition Opportunities with Towns
The Knicks are also taking advantage of Towns’ ability to run the floor as part of their transition game. At 7 feet tall, Towns is unusually quick and agile for a big man, making him a valuable asset in fast-break situations. When he secures a rebound, he can either push the ball himself or quickly outlet to guards, allowing the Knicks to capitalize on transition opportunities.
This approach not only gives the Knicks easy scoring chances but also allows Towns to get early post position before the defense is set. By emphasizing a faster pace and encouraging Towns to run the floor, the Knicks are adding a dimension to their offense that keeps opponents on their heels.
Conclusion
The arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns has given the New York Knicks a versatile offensive weapon, and the team is making the most of his unique skill set. By leveraging his shooting, playmaking, and ability to dominate both in the post and in transition, the Knicks are crafting an offense that revolves around their new star. These adjustments not only make Towns the centerpiece of their game plan but also create opportunities for his teammates, making the Knicks a more dangerous and dynamic offensive team. If Towns can stay healthy and maintain his high level of play, New York’s offense could reach new heights this season.