Knicks ready to do a lot of different things in title defense which could mean some role changes

Last year’s playoffs might have only been an appetizer. The postseason brought out a new version of the Knicks offense — one that fueled a historically dominant championship run.But it was born out of desperation, a change made on the fly after they fell to a 2-1 series deficit in the first round against the Hawks.

Now, the Knicks have a full training camp and preseason to practice and experiment with it. And, ideally, take it to a new level. “I feel like we can do a lot more, do a lot of different things,” Jalen Brunson said after the first Knicks practice of the season Tuesday.“I think we unlocked something last year in the playoffs at a time of need and it worked.

It’s gonna be fun to kind of integrate it from the beginning of the season, too.” The most important change was the well-documented decision to alter how they used Karl-Anthony Towns in the offense — having him serve as a “hub” at the elbows and facilitate with the ball in his hands.It allowed Brunson to play a bit more off the ball and took some of the playmaking burden off his shoulders.

It amplified Towns’ prowess as a passer — in turn dragging opposing centers out of the paint — and also allowed OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges to thrive as cutters and screen setters around Towns.The Knicks’ offensive efficiency exploded as a result. That role for Towns will continue to be a focal point going into this year, with a few potential new twists. “Obviously playing with KAT at the elbow a little bit more than what we did [in the regular season last year],” coach Mike Brown said Tuesday.

“Being with this group for a year now, you get a better feel of what players can do what.Like I didn’t know if OG could be as effective as he was in the pick-and-roll game.

Same with Mikal.So to try to continue to find ways to get those guys involved at the top of the floor is something that we’ll take a look at. “We have great cutters that have tremendous size.

We’ll cont...