Shane Larkin
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Shane Larkin played one season for the New York Knicks and has been making a name for himself in Europe.
Former New York Knicks guard Shane Larkin has shared his experience playing for the franchise during the 2014-15 season. Larkin had a four-year NBA career before making the transition to Europe, turning into a star in Turkey.
Speaking to Cyro Asseo of HoopsHype, Larkin discussed a variety of topics regarding his basketball career. He tackled his lone season in New York, calling it frustrating because of how the team was coached. He was one of the prized prospects acquired by the Knicks from the Dallas Mavericks in the Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton trade.
“I think coming off of an injured season, your first year, now you’re finally healthy, and now you’re not even able to play your game. You’re playing a style that doesn’t fit what you do best. So that’s obviously frustrating. So mentally that year, even though physically I felt better, mentally, you’re just kind of like beat up all season,” Larkin said on September 12.
Larkin was selected 18th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2013 and was traded to the Mavericks on draft night. His rookie season in Dallas started with a broken ankle in the Summer League, missing three months. He was able to play 48 games in his first year in the NBA.
Shane Larkin on Why Knicks Stint Didn’t Work Out
In his only season with the New York Knicks, Shane Larkin averaged 6.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game. His game didn’t fit with Derek Fisher’s triangle offense, which was instituted by then-team president Phil Jackson. Larkin explained to Cyro Asseo why his playing style wasn’t suited for it.
“I get traded to the New York Knicks, running the triangle offense with Derek Fisher as the coach, saying I need to play like him, which, okay, had a great career, but I don’t think anybody thinks about Derek Fisher as a pick-and-roll guard. He’s a defender, a big shot maker, a lot of respect for him and his career, but we are very different prototypes. It just wasn’t suited for my game and my style. I’m not a guy who comes across half court and picks it up and passes it to the wing, cuts to the corner. If you want me to affect the game, that’s not how I’ve done it ever in my career. I don’t think anybody had played the triangle in that role often,” Larkin said.
The Knicks won just 17 games that season, so in a way, the triangle offense didn’t work like it used to before for Jackson. The triangle is now less effective in today’s offense due to the spacing created by the 3-point shot and the pace of the more athletic players, as explained by LeBron James on the Mind The Game podcast in June.
Shane Larkin Found His Home in Turkey
After his stint with the New York Knicks, Shane Larkin signed a one-year deal with the Brooklyn Nets. He had his best season in Brooklyn but took his talents to Spain the following season by joining Baskonia.
Larkin returned to the NBA after a year, signing with the Boston Celtics. However, he didn’t get major offers in the summer of 2018, prompting him to join Anadolu Efes in Turkey. He’s turned into a star there, winning two EuroLeague titles, three Turkish Super League championships and one Turkish Cup.
The 32-year-old guard was also naturalized by Turkey and played alongside Alperen Sengun in the 2025 EuroBasket. They took home the silver medal after losing to Germany in the final.