Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks 2019-20 season preview

Knicks O vs. Pistons D

New York was dreadful offensively last season, scoring a third-worst 104.6 points per game.

There was no flow to the offense as they were last in percentage of field goals that were assisted at 52.5 percent. In fairness, the Rockets were third-worst and the Trail Blazers were slightly ahead of them so it’s possible to win without great ball movement but the Knicks don’t have the talent that these teams do.

Randle is a go-to scorer that held a 13.8 usage rate last season. He moves well off the ball, can be used in the pick-and-roll game, in the post and on the perimeter. But someone is going to have to get him the ball.

That’s where Payton comes in. He has a 33.9 career assist rate, though the Knicks will have to live with a 20.2 turnover rate, too. The duo played together in New Orleans, so there is some familiarity there. While sharing the floor together last year, the duo had a 62.5 assist rate and 14 percent turnover rate.

How the Knicks use their rotations, interweaving their young talent with their veterans, is going to dictate the offense. The young players should try to run in transition and push the pace. The older players have the savvy to slow it down to a half-court setting and win possession-by-possession.

Expect the Knicks to make mistakes offensively due to their young core. Barrett, Knox and Smith are going to have some growing pains as they get experience and build for the future. With high picks and trading Kristaps Porzingis to acquire the trio, they’re going to get plenty of run together so Detroit needs to capitalize on their mistakes.