There's a pecking order when it comes to the New York Knicks' roster - who should be taking a majority of the shots and shouldering the scoring load - and Brandon Jennings isn't near the top of it.
Predominantly an offense-first point guard who averaged 15.5 field-goal attempts per game during his first four seasons in the Association, Jennings has come to terms with the fact that the need for him to chuck up buckets and create for himself isn't close to what it once was.
"My role has changed here," Jenning said, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman. "I don’t have to score a lot. I can set the table. Not that it means I still can’t score. I have to sacrifice my game for the team. I’m playing with some of the best scorers in the world. I definitely have to change my game and found other things I can bring to the table."
Related: Jennings makes point to 'always look for' Porzingis
Coming off the bench in The Big Apple for the first 14 games of the 2016-17 regular season, the 27-year-old continues his search for some semblance of consistency with his shot, as he's only converting 37.2 percent from the field and 29.5 percent from behind the arc (his lowest 3-point percentage since going 10th overall to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2008).
His assist numbers have been a bright spot, though, with Jennings getting more and more comfortable as a playmaker, dishing out 5.2 assists in 21.5 minutes, jumping to a career-best 8.7 dimes per-36 minutes. That, along with his defensive intangibles, gives the Knicks a quality 1-2 punch in the backcourt with Jennings and Derrick Rose, each presenting new head coach Jeff Hornacek a unique look and feel at point guard.
"At first it was a challenge," Jennings said. "I’ve accepted it. I know my role is to play defense, come with a lot of energy and set guys up and play hard."
The Knicks' second unit ranks in the bottom-third of the league in points per game (23rd), with Jennings acting as its top scorer, primary ballhandler, and perhaps the only person keeping it from sinking to the very bottom.
