Former NBA veteran Channing Frye has a crushing take on the New York Knicks’ major roster flaw.
The 2024-25 New York Knicks have exceeded expectations after trading for Karl-Anthony Towns in the offseason.
They are currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference with a 34-18 record, but there are a few flaws in the roster.
Those flaws were exposed by the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics as NYK are now 2-2 in their last four games.
Channing Frye says New York Knicks lack in one department
For most teams, creating a roster with depth is the biggest goal, but the Knicks have taken a different approach as they have an incredible starting five.
However, the Knicks’ over-reliance on the same five or six players is what makes them inferior to other NBA title contenders, per former NBA veteran Channing Frye.
“The Cavs, Celtics, and Thunder, have the ability to raise their effort of play in their challenge, the Knicks keep their effort of play the same because they play seven guys. So there’s no like, ‘Oh, this guy’s gonna come off the bench and get 30, right?” Frye said.
He added: “You never hear about the Knicks bench comes in and wins the game for you, it’s always the same six guys, where the Thunder Cavs like Ty Jerome or Max Strus, or somebody makes a huge play for them, and they win the game, right? Or something like that.”
Frye made these comments in light of the Knicks’ recent loss vs. the Celtics. The Knicks were handed a blowout 131-104 defeat as no other starter other than Jalen Brunson left a real mark on the game.
Frye thinks this strategy gets exposed in the playoffs
Every year, come playoff time, every team shortens its rotation to ensure its best players play the majority of the minutes.
But due to the Knicks using the same strategy throughout the season, they lose an edge over their opponents.
“The Knicks are who they are, and they are a steamroller, and they are a metronome. And then the playoffs that they play, a little harsh, but they don’t really have anything extra in their bank,” Frye concluded.
With the Knicks suffering back-to-back second-round exits in the last two playoffs, Frye’s analysis could be correct about the organization’s flaws.
Considering the NBA Trade Deadline has already passed, it’s hard to imagine head coach Tom Thibodeau abandoning this strategy in hopes of adding more depth to his rotation with new players.
