How to Win with the Knicks in NBA 2K15

To say the New York Knicks have been “struggling” would be a huge understatement. Being the first team to lose 50 games this season it has been nothing short of a disaster. With their lone superstar Carmelo Anthony out for the remainder of the Season, exciting basketball is hard to come by for the New York faithful. Luckily with the power of NBA 2K15, the Kicks can actually be a team that can surprise people, both online and offline. Today we will take a look at the Knicks roster, as well as some different strategies that can be implemented to make them play a pretty good game of basketball.

Recommended Starting Five

PG Shane Larkin
Larkin is a speed demon with a 98 speed rating. He can blast by defenders and create havoc on the fast break. Along with his 98 speed he has a 95 lateral quickness which allows him to stay in front of his man while on defense. He has a decent 3 point rating and can make his defenders pay if they underestimate his rang. As for the rest of this game he is average or below. Bigger PGs such as John Wall or Westbrook can abuse him on their way to the rim.

SG – Langston Galloway

Galloway may be the best overall player on the entire Knicks roster. With an 84 midrange, 80 three point, and 89 ball handling, he has no problem making the open shot or creating one against pesky defenders.  He is also a great passer with a rating of 85 in passing accuracy which makes him a threat to drive and kick it out to the open man, or dish it off to one of the bigs inside.  The Knicks offense should flow through him on every possession. Defensively, he is an above average perimeter defender with an 85 later quickness.  He will not completely shut someone down, but he will hold his own and limit their offensive production.
SF – Tim Hardaway JR
Tim Hardaway JR is right there with Galloway when it comes to the Knicks “go to guy” with an 82 mid-range and 77 three point rating, he can knock down the open shot enough to keep the defense honest. Where he really shines though is his ability to attack the rim. At 6’6″ he can handle the rock, as well as finish inside against contact. His size also make him a good defensive player and the best perimeter defender on the team. With an 87 lateral quickness, put Hardaway on the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer and he’ll have success shutting them down.

PF – Quincy Acy
When it comes to rebounding, it is slim pickings for the Knicks. Acy clocks in with an 80 boxout, 82 offensive rebound, and a 78 defensive rebounding rating. Acy is second to only Cole Aldrich in overall rebounding ability for the Knicks. Surprisingly, he has a 75 three point rating so he can catch the defense sleeping if left alone. Outside of that, Acy will get the occasional block and easy put back layup. His main purpose while in the game is to hit though boards and grab rebounds.

C- Jason Smith

Jason Smith could be an outstanding center for the Knicks if his rebounding was a little better. With an 76 offensive and 65 defensive rebounding he does not get many boards despite his 7″ height. However, he has an amazing pick and pop game with an 86 mid-range shot. Defensively, he can protect the paint with this 90 block shot rating. 

Bench

C – Andrea Bargnani (6th Man)

Bargnani is a great shooter considering his size. At 7″, he has na 87 mid-range shot (best on the team) and a 75 three point shot. This gives him a huge advantage against smaller defenders because he can just shoot over them. His post game is also the best on the team with a 70 post hook and a 78 post fade shot. Not dazzling numbers, but with the Kicks, you have to take what you can get.

The reason he does not get the starting spot is because the rest of his game is mediocre at best. Rebounding is practically non-existent with a  55 offensive rebound, and a 60 defensive rebound. Although, not the most important rating for a big man, his speed (45) is comparable to a turtle. This ensures he will always be the last man down the court, leaving the paint wide open. Bargnani is best used as a boost of offense off the bench.

SF – Cleanthony Early

Early, like Bargnani, is only a few attributes away from being considered a starter. Early has the best three point shot on the team with an 82. It is crucial to call plays that set screens to free him up beyond the arc. His 86 speed lets him run in transition and combine with this 6’8″ frame he is also a threat to attack the basket. Defensively, like most Knicks players, is where Early becomes a liability. Even though he has 86 speed, his laterally quickness is horrible (58). This makes it almost impossible to stay in front of the faster forwards in the league.

SG – Alexey Shved
Honestly, Shved is almost useless in NBA 2K15. Harsh I know, but the only thing that he brings to the table is free through shooting (84). All of his shooting attributes are in the low 70’s, which makes him invisible on offense. On defense, his 70 speed and 75 lateral quickness is a joke compared to almost any other SG in the NBA. Shved is best used in late game situations when you need to make free throws.

C – Cole Aldrich
With an 81 offensive rebound, 83 defensive rebound, and an 80 box out rating Aldrich is the best overall rebounder on the Knicks. Why does he not get a start spot? His lack of offense. Aldrich solely depends on put backs, and wide open layups for points because his mid-range and post offense is severely lacking. His 6’11”, 245lb frame allows him to match up well defensively against strong post players. Combine that with a 76 block, he is easily the best post defender on the team. If Aldrich could improve his offensive game, he would be a lock at the starting center position. He is best used whenever you are absolutely getting destroyed on the boards.

PF – Louis Amundson

Amundson’s game relies heavily on hustle. It is hard not to like the guy because he tries hard on every play. He is probably the most athletic big man on the Kicks, and with an 84 offensive rebound he does have some potential. His 76 steal is the best on the team so if are down late and need some turnovers he can be called on.

PF – Travis Wear

Wear should get no playing time at all as the only contribution he could make is his three point shooting (79), keep him on the bench.

SF – Lance Thomas

Thomas is another guy that should never leave the bench. Compared to other players he brings nothing to the table.

Offensive Strategies

Now that we have taken a look at the players and have an idea of their strengths and weaknesses, lets take a look at how we can best use them to score on offense.

Recommended POE’s

Play Through L. Galloway

As mentioned earlier, Gallow is the team’s best offensive threat. It is crucial to get him involved on every play if you want to have success on offense. Setting the POE to “Play Through Galloway”, guarantees a pay call (while using smart play) that will make him the focal point of the offense.

Patient Offense

Setting the POE to “Patient Offense” allow you to slow down the game and take what the defense gives you. As the Knicks, you cannot afford to be careless with the ball as every possession counts. Slowing the game down and making smart decisions is the key to winning with the Knicks.

Limit Transition

Let’s face it, you are not going to get many rebound with the Kicks. Once the shot goes up, make sure your guys get back on defense. At least try to buckle down and make the other team work for their point in a half court set. Other teams cannot be allowed to score any easy baskets in transition.

Plays

Tri (Base, Wing, Top) Fists
Call any of these play with Galloway and it will set up different pick and pop scenarios with Galloway and Smith. The plays setup Smith for the midrange jumper and Galloway has the option to drive to the basket or kick it back out for the open shot.

Tri (Base, Wing, Top) Quick
These set plays are good for Hardaway and Early because it allow them to be reed up around the perimeter via off ball screens. The majority of the time they will find open space for the 3 ball or the midrange shot but if the defense closes out on them, these play will also allow them to beat their man off the dribble and drive to the rim.

Tri (Ice, Iso)

Iso’s are great for letting Galloway to get the ball in his hands and letting him go one on one against his defender. These play are best used in late game situations when you need a bucket or if Gallow is matched up against a slower defender.  

Tri (Punch, Power)
When Bargnani is in the game, these are the go to plays. They are designed to get him in the poset so he can work his magic. Remember, he is only a few years from averages 21 pts a game, so he definitely can put the ball through the hoop. Post him up and hit the post fade.

Defensive Strategies

I’m not going to lie to you, getting stops with the Kicks defensively will be tough. The starting five can be decent defensively, but when the subs come in, that’s when it really becomes a struggle. Unlike the Offensive POE’s, defensive POE’s will change a lot more through the course of a game. Not every team offline will play the same and the same can be said about play some people online. People will have different offensive strategies to try to win, it is up to you to make the POE changes to counter them. The following POE’s are what I recommend to start a game with. You can adjust based on how your opponent plays.

Recommended POE’s

Neutral Defensive Focus

I believe this is the best defensive focus to start a game with as it allows you to feel out how the opposing offense is going to play, without giving up too much inside the paint or on the perimeter. Obviously, if a team is kill you beyond the arc, switch to “Limit Perimeter Shot”. If you are getting killed in the paint, switch to, “Protect the Paint”.

Play Physical Defense

Under no circumstance should you switch out of this POE with the Kicks, or any other team for that matter. This allow your guys to play the passing lanes for steals, while also making them play more physical in the paint.

Crash Defensive Glass

Due to the Kicks lack of rebounding, they need as many bodies crashing the boards as possible because the offense is tailored around set plays instead of transition, (except for a long rebound to Larken or Galloway) you can afford to give up the opportunity for transition points. Besides, most teams are faster than the Kick and will shut down transition attempts anyways.

Summary

I hope you guys have enjoyed my insight on how to play better basketball with the New York Knicks. I truly believe that if you play with lower rated teams it will not only make you a better NBA 2K15 player, but it really teaches you how to fully utilize each player and their strengths. Also, there is no better feeling than getting a win with the Kicks over a player that is using a better team…pure gaming bliss.