INDIANAPOLIS — That is hardly a shocker with Karl-Anthony Cities. We knew he was a poor defender. He was such a poor paint protector that the Timberwolves spent 4 first-round picks and a choose swap to accumulate one other participant — Rudy Gobert — to tackle the defensive obligations at heart.
That was a part of the deal, a part of the commerce. They acquired an elite offensive 7-footer and a subpar defender.
The Knicks knew this. And for a lot of this season, they managed it. OG Anunoby picked up a variety of the slack. Mikal Bridges kicked into excessive gear within the postseason. Survived it and superior.
However now going through an unrelenting Pacers crew with a sensible coach in Rick Carlisle, the problem is on the forefront with a urgent want for an answer.
