NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 30: Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks reacts during close game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 30, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michelle Farsi/Getty Images)
There is a prevailing thought around the league that Evan Fournier’s inconsistency has contributed to the New York Knicks’ defensive issues. A reporter asked Head Coach Tom Thibodeauabout what Fournier has to do to be more consistent on the defensive end after a loss to Indiana on December 8th.
Thibodeau stated that one player isn’t responsible for the team’s defensive issues – it’s a team-wide problem. New York’s head coach is correct, as the Knicks have developed a habit of watching the ball on the defensive end of the floor, resulting in them giving up more uncontested shots.
Why Evan Fournier should not be blamed for the New York Knicks’ defensive struggles this season
The Knicks gave up 21.5 contested shots over the first 27 games of last season. They have seen a 13.9 percent increase over the first 27 games of this season, as they are averaging 24.5 uncontested shots per game. More importantly, opponents have increased their field goal percentage by 1.1 percent from last season, shooting 42.5 percent.
The logical conclusion for the increase in uncontested shots would be to blame roster changes (i.e. Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier replacing Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock). Unfortunately, that theory is off-base, as the team has given up more contested shots when Evan Fournier isn’t on the floor.
Fournier currently plays 80 percent of the first quarter, averaging 9.6 minutes per game. The team is only giving up 5.9 uncontested shots during that quarter. On the other hand, Fournier is on the bench for 51.7 percent of the second quarter, as he only averages 5.8 minutes per game in that particular stanza. The New York Knicks see an 18.6 percent increase in uncontested shot attempts by opponents in the second quarter, as they average 7.0 per game.
New York</a> Knicks’ defensive issues. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/evan-fournier-new-york-knicks-issues/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-h-dsskIQ0%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">A reporter asked</a> Head Coach Tom Thibodeauabout what Fournier has to do to be more consistent on the defensive end after a loss to Indiana on December 8th.</p>
<p>Thibodeau stated that one player isn’t responsible for the team’s defensive issues – it’s a team-wide problem. New York’s head coach is correct, as the Knicks have developed a habit of watching the ball on the defensive end of the floor, resulting in them giving up more uncontested shots.</p>
<h2>Why Evan Fournier should not be blamed for the New York Knicks’ defensive struggles this season</h2>
<p>The Knicks gave up 21.5 contested shots over the first 27 games of last season. They have seen a 13.9 percent increase over the first 27 games of this season, as they are averaging 24.5 uncontested shots per game. More importantly, opponents have increased their field goal percentage by 1.1 percent from last season, shooting 42.5 percent.</p>
<p>The logical conclusion for the increase in uncontested shots would be to blame roster changes (i.e. Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier replacing Elfrid Payton and Reggie Bullock). Unfortunately, that theory is off-base, as the team has given up more contested shots when Evan Fournier isn’t on the floor.</p>
<p>Fournier currently plays 80 percent of the first quarter, averaging 9.6 minutes per game. The team is only giving up 5.9 uncontested shots during that quarter. On the other hand, Fournier is on the bench for 51.7 percent of the second quarter, as he only averages 5.8 minutes per game in that particular stanza. The New York Knicks see an 18.6 percent increase in uncontested shot attempts by opponents in the second quarter, as they average 7.0 per game.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/evan-fournier-new-york-knicks-issues/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Fournier's potential replacement </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-439534" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/evan-fournier-new-york-knicks-issues/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1349581236.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Evan Fournier" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1349581236.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1349581236-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 24: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the New York Knicks attempts a shot against the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on October 24, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>The most important difference between the first and the second quarter is that opponents are making more of their uncontested shots in the first quarter, shooting 42.8 percent from the field – a 2.4 percent increase from the second quarter.</p>
<p>If the Knicks would stop watching the ball and pay attention to their defensive assignments, they would see a reduction in their uncontested shot attempts by opponents. Consequently, it is ill-advised to blame Fournier, because if you take him out of the starting lineup, the same issues will still exist, and more will arise.</p>
<p>If Thibodeau were to replace Fournier in the starting lineup, it would most likely be with Immanuel Quickley. Inserting Quickley into the starting lineup would make the New York Knicks’ offense and defense worse, as Fournier has mostly been a floor spacer during this regular season.</p>
<p>Fournier has taken 59.9 percent of his shots from behind the arc, averaging 6.6 threes per game. He currently accounts for 17.9 percent of the team’s total threes, as they average 36.8 per game.</p>
<p>Most of Fournier’s threes have come via catch and shoot, averaging 4.2 catch and shoot threes per game. It is unlikely that the shooting guard’s role will change, as the team runs their offense through Julius Randle.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/evan-fournier-new-york-knicks-issues/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The difference between Fournier and Quickley </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-439533" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/evan-fournier-new-york-knicks-issues/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1101,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1357164054.jpeg" alt="New York Knicks, Evan Fournier" width="1600" height="1101" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1357164054.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1357164054-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 04: Evan Fournier #13 of the New York Knicks celebrates his three point shot in the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Madison Square Garden on December 04, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Therefore, Quickley would most likely act as a floor spacer as well. Unfortunately, Quickley is a slightly worse floor spacer than Evan Fournier. Quickley has only made 38.8 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes in 91 professional games, averaging 1.9 attempts per game.</p>
<p>Quickley’s catch-and-shoot statistics have contributed to him shooting 37.4 percent from behind the arc on 4 attempts per game. These stats are at least 0.5 percent worse than Fournier’s, as he has made 39.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes before this season on 3.5 shots.</p>
<p>Fournier’s catch-and-shoot statistics were the driving force behind him shooting 37.9 percent on 5.1 shots per game. He has continued to have success in both areas this season, making 37.7 percent of his catch-and-shoot shots.</p>
<p>The catch and shoot success has allowed him to convert 37.6 percent of his three-point attempts. Fournier has accounted for 17.6 percent of the team’s three-point production as they average 39.6 points from behind the arc.</p>
<p>The team wouldn’t only see a statistical decline on the offensive end, but also a decrease in defensive statistics, as Evan Fournier has been a better individual defender than Quickley during the first 27 games of this season.</p>
<p>Fournier has held opponents to 41.5 percent shooting on 8 shots per game. His statistics are 2.4 percent better than Quickley’s, as Quickley holds opponents to 43.9 percent shooting on 6.7 attempts per game.</p>
<p>In conclusion, it is illogical to blame the defensive issues on Evan Fournier when it is more of a team-wide issue.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="3 NBA trades to help the Knicks make the playoffs" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/13/nba-trades-new-york-knicks/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/14/evan-fournier-new-york-knicks-issues/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/13/nba-trades-new-york-knicks/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 3 NBA trades to help the Knicks make the playoffs </a> </div>
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