It’s safe to say, in terms of both fan ratings and team operations, that the NBA is a league fueled by stars.
The LeBrons, the Currys, the Brunsons — players of that ilk are the reason why the average fan is tuning in to catch a game. They keep the lights on.
While most organizations attempt to build around their stars to alleviate the pressures of carrying a team, it ultimately falls on the stars’ shoulders to keep their team’s own proverbial lights on.
But what do you, as a team, say when the lights start flickering, and you realize it’s actually because the whole building is beginning to shake?
You need reinforcements — a steadying force.
In the New York Knicks’ case, they need Landry Shamet.
Broadway boiling over
Things were going so well. Almost too well.
An 18-7 start to the regular season, into an NBA Cup Championship, had New York feeling confident enough to not hang a banner celebrating the fact. Their performance since might have them wishing they did.
Recent conversations both within and around the Knicks have been contentious, to say the least, following a less-than-ideal 2-9 stretch that saw them drop games to the Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks, currently seeded 12 and 14 in the Western Conference, respectively.
With feelings, naturally, come questions. Of which there has been no shortage.
Is Mike Brown the guy to lead them to the top? Will Karl-Anthony Towns ever feel comfortable in this offense? How can we justify Mikal Bridges‘ pricetag?
All valid and will hopefully be answered in due time.
Among the toil and trouble, though, is one Knick trying his damndest to ensure that there are absolutely zero questions regarding his spot in the rotation come showtime.
ShamWow!
If there’s one thing a Knicks fan can fully get behind, it’s a role player. History will tell you that they don’t even have to be good (shoutout to my guy Ron Baker).
The king of this phenomenon since his genesis in orange and blue has undoubtedly been Mitchell Robinson, and for good reason. I’m no stranger to showing the big man love, myself.
What Robinson brings to the table as a rebounder and defensive anchor is, to put it lightly, indispensable to the team’s success. His defensive rating of 111.8 is the second lowest of anybody on the team logging 15+ minutes a night.
Who’s first, then? If you’re reading this, you’ve probably come to that conclusion already.
Shamet’s 109.9 DRTG, albeit with 25 missed games thus far due to a shoulder injury, ranks first among qualified Knicks.
Not OG Anunoby. Not Mikal Bridges. It’s Landry Shamet who has been the best wing defender for New York in his time on the court.
If defense isn’t your jam and you’re still left unconvinced, I don’t blame you, but allow me to take it to the other side of the court.
Shamet’s true shooting percentage, by all accounts the best encapsulation of a player’s scoring efficiency in the modern NBA, is currently sitting at 65.3%. Just as with his defensive rating, this leads the Knicks.
His effective field goal percentage, which isolates shooting and accounts for three-pointers as more difficult shots than twos, sits at 62.1, second behind Robinson’s 68%.
The glaring difference between the two is that every single one of Robinson’s shots comes within five feet of the rim, whereas Shamet is getting 74.2% of his shot attempts from beyond the arc and shooting 43.5% from three while doing so.
Buckets and guts
On top of just being efficient, the guy is liable to go on a heater when needed. And he’ll let you know about it.
Shamet’s career-high 36-point performance (6-12 3PT) in a captainless NBA Cup win over Miami on Nov. 14 is the highest scoring mark achieved by any Knick not named Jalen Brunson or KAT this season.
Once again — not OG … not Mikal. The answer is 6-foot-5, 190-pound Landry Shamet.
If not for his play, the Landlord deserves to be on the court for his fire and tenacity alone.
It’s no secret that the Knicks have garnered a reputation around the league as “soft,” due to their lack of outspoken personalities, both in the media and on the court. In a recent game between New York and Golden State, Towns was tripped by Draymond Green on a drive to the basket, resulting in a flagrant foul.
Draymond and KAT have a prior history of animosity towards each other, and things were no different in this situation. They got up close, they had some words, and it ended there.
The problem lies with how the rest of the team responded to the situation.
Following the ruling of the flagrant, Knicks assistant Rick Brunson and Draymond laughed about it together. KAT missed the technical free throw. The Knicks lost by double digits.
Head coach Mike Brown and Green shared a hug and some laughs after the game.
For context, Brown had been an assistant with the Warriors during the peak of their dynasty powers from 2016-2022. He and Green obviously formed a strong bond during that time. Knicks fans do not care.
Look, I’m not saying that Landry Shamet is going to take on some role as the enforcer of the Knicks, nor am I saying he would have jumped in and gone to bat for KAT had he been on the floor for the altercation.
What I’m saying is that the Knicks need a fire lit in their bellies, and Landry Shamet might be the match.
I’ll leave you with this: In the Knicks’ most recent game, a gritty victory over Philadelphia, Shamet, a former 76er, buried a corner three late that would have been the dagger if not for the late-game dramatics that followed. He promptly turned, looked at the crowd he used to call his own, and screamed, “I’M F***ING BACK,”
That’s a guy you find more opportunities for — as soon as possible.
