Tom Thibodeau pushes back against the idea that the Knicks have defensive problems.

Yes, there are areas that could be better, but the team’s coach believes they are making progress.

“I think we’re in the top 10 in points allowed, we’re (12th) in points allowed, we’re fifth in fast break points allowed, we’re top five, As far as the second chance points allowed, they are “all good markers,” he said. “The defensive field goal rate in the last 10 games has been good. I think there are 13 of us (in total). Everything is going in the right direction. Can it be better? Yes, and that is our goal.”

Part of the reason the Knicks’ numbers are so high is because they play at the fourth-slowest pace in the league and therefore have fewer possessions per game.

The Knicks rank 16th in defensive rating, allowing 113.7 points per 100 possessions. A year ago they were ninth with 112.4.

Obviously this is a new team with different strengths.

The Knicks are one of the best offensive teams in the league, ranking second in offensive rating at 120.2 after adding Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges while losing Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle and Isaiah Hartenstein.

They also don’t have Mitchell Robinson, a rim protector and offensive rebounder who has never appeared in a game as he recovers from offseason ankle surgery.

That’s one of the reasons the Knicks have moved from top spot in offensive rebounding rate a year ago to 19th this season.

But Thibodeau believes they are in a good position overall and expects the defensive numbers to improve as the year progresses.

“I’m looking at a number of markers,” Thibodeau said. “I have always said the most important thing for me is the NET score or the points lead. How many points do you score and how many do you give up? We are at plus 6.5, which corresponds to sixth place in the league. That’s the most important thing. Defensive evaluation systems are difficult to assess because people have different value systems.”

He added: “If you have a NET rating, which we have, that means you are doing good things.”

There are only 25 games.

The Knicks have started each year slowly under Thibodeau.

In fact, this is their best record at this point in the season under Thibodeau.

Last year’s team was 14-11 at this point and would look very different after OG Anunoby’s move.

These Knicks would obviously get better with a healthy Robinson on defense and on the glass.

“This group is still figuring it out. We’re making progress every day,” Jalen Brunson said. “There are ups and downs in the season and we find our way. It’s a fairly new team. We will continue to improve throughout the year until April.”

“Yeah, we’re 25 games in, but it’s still taking time for us to get our act together and figure it out. I think the best part is that we are far from having a finished product in all aspects. It’s just a mindset, knowing we’re not there yet and we still have a long way to go.”