While they aren’t quite a playoff team yet, New York’s offseason additions will make them a much more competitive team this season.
Last Year’s Record: 17-65
Key Additions:
- Robin Lopez
- Arron Afflalo
- Kyle O’Quinn
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Jerian Grant
- Derrick Williams
Key Departures:
- Jason Smith
- Andrea Bargnani
- Alexey Shved
- Shane Larkin
Season Outlook:
The Knicks were really, really bad last season, which made it virtually impossible for them to be any worse this season, unless they decided to roll with the same lineup they used the final game of 2014-15. Thankfully, that won’t be the case — in fact three of the five starters from April 15th’s game are gone, and the other two, Langston Galloway and Lance Thomas, won’t figure to be starters or key rotation players. Andreas Bargnani is gone as well, which should be the second biggest addition by subtraction, behind only Lance Stephenson’s exit in Charlotte.
New York will be much improved this season, thanks largely to the additions of Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo. Neither player is a star, but are legitimate starters at their respective positions. Lopez is the best center New York has had since Tyson Chandler. He’s an efficient low post scorer, and can pair well next to a stretch-4. Afflalo is a solid perimeter scorer, and should serve as a complimentary wing scorer next to Carmelo Anthony (when he plays on the wing).
New York’s biggest strength is it’s frontcourt depth. Along with Lopez, the Knicks have Kyle O’Quinn, rookie Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick Williams, and Kevin Seraphin. O’Quinn could prove to be a steal. Signed for 4 million a season, he provides post defense and some ability to stretch the floor. While more of a center, he could potentially play some four alongside Lopez. Williams is getting another shot with another team. Whether he works out for the Knicks depends on his role and how he’s used, but that’s been the issue with him since he entered the league. Ultimately, he’s a moderate gamble on a two year contract.
Porzingis will be interesting. He came into the draft with scouts raving about his potential, and his skill set is easy to fall in love with. How much he helps the Knicks this season is a mystery, however. He’s very young, and physically not up to par with the rest of the NBA. The Knicks will have to be patient with him, but Porzingis should improve throughout the season as he adjust the league.
The biggest concerns for the Knicks remain the point guard position and the health of Carmelo Anthony. Jose Calderon remains the starter, but he isn’t quite the player he was in Toronto when he was near the top of the league in assists. Health will be a worry with him, and the Knicks are thin at point guard, with rookie Jerian Grant and Langston Galloway as the backup options. Some might argue the Knicks need to upgrade at point guard, but Phil Jackson run teams have succeeded without a top tier point guard (case in point: Derek Fisher). If the Knicks do indeed plan on running the Triangle, Calderon may be sufficient, but if he gets hurt Grant and Galloway could be thrust into a role they aren’t quite ready for.
Anthony figures to be healthy, and the team has stated he will play primarily small forward. He’s always been able to shoulder the scoring load, but staying healthy will remain a concern with him. The added offseason pieces means Melo doesn’t have to shoulder as much of the scoring load as last season, but if he is sidelined the added pieces will struggle to make up his production.
Ultimately, Anthony’s health could determine just how many wins this team will end up with. While it’s a stretch, it isn’t that crazy an idea to see New York in the running for the 8th seed in the East. As has been the case the past couple of seasons, bad teams can make the playoffs, even when they aren’t trying to. If New York stays healthy and finds a rhythm, playoff talk isn’t out of the question. Problem is, they likely won’t find that rhythm, due to injuries, an over-reliance on young players, or Fisher’s inexperience as a head coach. Still, the Knicks should be a lot better, and remain competitive on most nights. That’s a start, and considering how much of last season went, it’s a good one.
Projected Record: 31-51
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