The New York Knicks will enter the 2019-20 season with heightened expectations on offense and defense. Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. will be the focal point of the offense this year despite having lackluster numbers over two seasons.
Smith has averaged just 14.5 points per game since hi inception in 2017, but he will look to increase his production and efficiency from the floor.
The third-year player has plenty of goals entering next season, but one of them is to help New York Knicks’ RJ Barrett when the Rookie of the Year award.
“I’m treating that as one of my focal points just to help him win Rookie of the Year. And whatever I can do, I’m willing to do it,” Smith Jr. said in an interview with Chris Henderson. “It’s important for us and it’s important for our team and it’s important for our morale moving forward, so I think it would be major if he won that.”
The success of Barrett will be indicative of the Knicks’ potential this season and overall achievements. Smith will be a catalyst in getting him the ball and helping him develop quickly in the NBA. However, it is a team sport, and both will be incredibly important and elevating each other’s play and allowing them to reach their potential.
Smith was very confident about the offensive capabilities of the Knicks, though. He stated that the offense would take care of itself with players like Julius Randle and Marcus Morris featuring as newly signed veterans. He knows that the team will put up points but stopping the opposition from doing so will be where they hang their hat. Having Mitchell Robinson, one of the best shot blockers in the league certainly helps their efficiency in that category. By being in elite shape and taking care of their bodies, the Knicks should be in good shape to compete in the upcoming season.
There are still plenty of challenges for them to overcome, and the proof has to be in the putting.