Knicks Offense Is Scary In The Perfect Way
I watched a lot of Knicks basketball in my life, but I have never seen a Knicks offense this potent and the potential to be one of the greatest in Knick/NBA History.
The 2024-25 New York Knicks (14-8) are rewriting the record books, not just for their franchise, but for the NBA as a whole. With an offensive rating of 122.2, the Knicks are putting together the most efficient scoring season in team history, surpassing legendary Knicks squads of the past. This achievement cements their place among the great offensive teams in league history. Keep in mind I’m writing this article in good faith that this Knicks team will end this season as the best offense in basketball.
Comparing this season to the 2012-13 Knicks, who set the previous franchise benchmark with an offensive rating of 111.1, the difference is staggering. The Knicks of 2012-13 relied heavily on Carmelo Anthony’s isolation scoring and a barrage of three-pointers. That team ranked third in three-point percentage and sixth in effective field goal percentage while finishing second in turnover percentage. It was an impressive squad, but it doesn’t hold a candle to the firepower of today’s Knicks.
Through 22 games, the 2024-25 Knicks have established themselves as a historically dominant offensive unit. They rank sixth in points per game, second in field goal percentage, second in three-point percentage, second in effective field goal percentage, second in true shooting percentage, and first in free throw percentage. Their ability to combine scoring efficiency with volume sets them apart from almost every team in the NBA.
The Knicks’ assist-to-turnover ratio, which ranks second in the league, highlights their disciplined ball movement. They are also second in assist percentage, emphasizing their team-oriented offensive philosophy. Despite their offensive dominance, they rank 28th in pace, showcasing a methodical, deliberate approach to scoring. Even with a slower style of play, their offensive rating of 122.2 is not only the best in franchise history but the second-best in NBA history, just behind the 2023-24 Boston Celtics, who posted a league-record offensive rating of 123.2.
In terms of net rating, which measures a team’s point differential per 100 possessions, the Knicks sit at +7.7. This ranks as the third-highest mark in franchise history, trailing only the iconic 1969-70 Knicks (+7.9) and the 1970-71 team (+8.4). These numbers suggest that the Knicks are not just elite offensively, but that they are one of the most well-rounded teams in the NBA.
Leading the charge this season is Karl-Anthony Towns, who has been nothing short of phenomenal. Towns is averaging 25.2 points and 13.2 rebounds per game (leads NBA) while shooting 53.1 percent from the field and a career-high 45 percent from three-point range. His ability to stretch the floor and dominate inside has made him an impossible cover for opposing defenses. His true shooting percentage of 64.8 percent ranks among the best in the league, and his 49.5 percent accuracy on catch-and-shoot threes has been a game-changer for the Knicks’ spacing.
Towns isn’t alone in elevating this offense. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, two of the league’s premier two-way players, have formed a potent pairing on the wing. Bridges has rebounded from a slow start to the season and is now averaging 16.5 points per game on 47.2 percent shooting, including 41.4 percent from three over his last four games. Anunoby has continued to excel as both a scorer and a defensive anchor, helping the Knicks achieve a +10.1 net rating when both he and Bridges share the court.
Jalen Brunson, the team’s floor general, has been the engine of the offense. His ability to create opportunities for his teammates while taking care of the ball has been critical to the Knicks’ success. Under his leadership, the Knicks are second in the league in assist percentage and have one of the lowest turnover rates in the NBA.
When comparing the Knicks to other all-time great offenses, it’s clear that they deserve to be in the conversation. The 2023-24 Boston Celtics, who hold the all-time record for offensive rating at 123.2, relied on the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, supported by elite shooting and depth. The 2022-23 Sacramento Kings were another juggernaut, posting an offensive rating of 119.4, largely thanks to De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. The 2023-24 Indiana Pacers, with an offensive rating of 121.0, utilized Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking and fast-paced attack to become one of the most exciting teams in the league.
However, modern offensive ratings benefit from a number of league-wide trends. The emphasis on three-point shooting, analytics-driven shot selection, and rule changes limiting defensive physicality have all contributed to the offensive explosion of recent years. This explains why today’s offenses, like the Knicks, can achieve ratings that far surpass even the best teams of past decades.
That’s not to say great offenses of the past weren’t equally as impactful in their eras. The 1986-87 Los Angeles Lakers, led by Magic Johnson, had an offensive rating of 115.6. The 1991-92 Chicago Bulls, with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, were surgical in their execution, also posting an offensive rating of 115.5. And who can forget the 2004-05 Phoenix Suns, with Steve Nash running the “Seven Seconds or Less” offense? That team’s pace and creativity were revolutionary, setting the stage for the modern NBA.
The Knicks of 2024-25 have drawn from these historic blueprints while crafting their own identity. They’ve combined the efficiency of the Warriors dynasty with the versatility of the Suns and the discipline of the Bulls. Their three-point shooting, led by Towns, Anunoby, and Bridges, ranks among the league’s best, and their ability to finish at the rim and draw fouls gives them a level of balance that is difficult to counter.
As the season progresses, it will be fascinating to see if the Knicks can sustain this level of play and perhaps even challenge the Celtics’ record for the best offensive rating in NBA history. Whether they achieve that milestone or not, one thing is clear: the 2024-25 Knicks have cemented their place as one of the greatest offenses in both franchise and league history. For Knicks fans, it’s a season to remember and a reminder that this team has the tools to compete with anyone, past or present.
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