The New York Knicks have by far been the largest disappointment across the association this season and as a result, have a long list of things to do this summer.
Derrick Rose labeled the Knicks a “super team” which has drawn ridicule from around the league, and rightly so, considering how much of a laughing stock this team has been.Phil Jackson tried to make it happen this season, whatever “it” may be is unknown, but it didn’t happen. Consequently, he has many issues to sort through this offseason and here are the top-five …
5. Make the Right Pick
One positive from this disastrous season is that the Knicks will likely have a top-10 pick in the stacked 2017 draft. Seemingly, in a draft that is touted to be arguably the best since the influx of talent in 2003, it would be impossible to go wrong. However, every year there seems to be a team that makes a mistake that will leave you scratching your head.
The Knicks would need something reminiscent of a miracle to crack the top-five, but that isn’t overly concerning considering the talent on offer. In saying this, though, New York has certain needs or other areas where they could do with help and improvement.
Duke’s freshman forward, Jayson Tatum, will likely be available, but do the Knicks draft a player who would have to wait behind Carmelo Anthony?
He may fit the bill but he could possibly have to wait years for his turn in the spotlight. Malik Monk is one of the best shooters in his class, but he has his struggles defensively which is an area the Knicks are already sub-par. Belgium guard Frank Ntilkina is a good shooter, excellent facilitator and solid defender, but he hasn’t been seen against the homegrown competition. Could he the next Kristaps Porzingis or turn out like Emmanuel Mudiay?
Overall, it would be difficult to choose the wrong prospect in such a talented class but a difference in skill set or position could impact the player’s effectiveness on this team.
4. Find a Facilitating Guard
It is hard to single out what the Knicks biggest fault has been this season but point guard play has been a question mark since the beginning of the freefall. The main issue from New York’s starting point guard, Derrick Rose, has been his inability to facilitate and find teammates on his drives. Rose assists on just 6.3 percent of his drives which is lower than Lou Williams, who finds teammates 7.3 percent of the time.
Further to this, Rose has been a contributor to the stunted growth of Kristaps Porzingis. He is the franchise player but he just doesn’t get the touches he needs or deserves and it is clear that the Rose-type guard isn’t the correct fit for Porzingis. Matter of factly, this type of player also isn’t helpful to Carmelo Anthony.
New York needs to find a guard who has a pass-first mentality and who takes pride in getting others involved. There are players in the draft who could develop into excellent facilitators but an established point guard would be the logical path. Free agency this July boasts a host of pass-first guards who could positive impact this team.
Jrue Holiday rumors have made the rounds and logically so. He is currently averaging 7.4 assists per game this season and he regularly looks to make the pass to rolling bigs or open shooters on drives. Another player who has garnered barely any attention this season is Jeff Teague who is averaging a career-high 7.9 assists per game and when this is coupled with his penetrating abilities make him a prime target come July. These two are also capable shooters and solid defenders which is the icing on the cake, so to speak.
3. Just One System
Kristaps Porzingis recently spoke the truth; going from one system to another and changing from game to game is illogical and incredibly frustrating. He is right. By changing what is done game in and game out the Knicks struggle to find continuity on the offensive end which in turn negatively impacts the team’s performance on the defensive side of the floor.
Phil Jackson needs to make a decision; he either coaches the team himself or he gives complete control over to Jeff Hornacek. He isn’t coaching the team so therefore he needs to give the power to the man he appoints, which is the way is majority works around the NBA.
Jeff Hornacek has wanted to get out and run all season long but it just hasn’t happened mainly due to being bogged down by Jackson’s preferred system. Hornacek prefers to execute an uptempo offense and remaining in one frame of mind all game long would help to find a rhythm from game to game. Right now the New York Knicks aren’t doing that and they have been far too inconsistent. One night they’ll look like a playoff team and then the next like a lottery team.
Right now, the schemes can be differing from quarter to quarter which just spells disaster. It is imperative that Phil Jackson takes a step back and sticks to his job rather than meddling with Hornacek’s. The Knicks haven’t added any pieces this season and that would be the only reason for a change in the system, not because your president is stubborn. Putting that in the same senate is even just confusing.
2. Hand Over the Reigns
It is time to hand the reigns of the New York Knicks over to the Unicorn; Kristaps Porzingis. The 7-foot-3 Latvian is the face of the franchise and the future of this team. Porzingis has been labeled for a Unicorn for a reason and there’s no reason to let him keep being a horse and not have the biggest impact he could possibly have.
Porzingis doesn’t gain anything from being the second or third fiddle for three or four seasons. Being neglected offensively and getting spot up shots doesn’t help to develop other aspects of his game. Sure he can practice them but it isn’t just going to magically work in-game. However, giving him the in-game repetitions allows for him to figure what works and what he needs to improve on even more. It is just senseless to hold him back when nothing is gained from doing so.
To say he is not ready is illogical. In 19 career games with 18-plus shot attempts, Porzingis is averaging 24.7 points per contest on 50 percent shooting from the field, 43 percent from three point range and 91 percent on free throws. To put this in perspective, Carmelo Anthony is averaging 23 points per game this season on 19 shot attempts with a conversion rate of 43.7 percent.
Porzingis is ready, give him the keys and let him start the learning curve right away.
1. Consistency
The New York Knicks front office have blown it up and started over for three consecutive seasons. This is not the way to go. In saying this, the Knicks have an older roster, namely the starting lineup, so a committed rebuild to youth would be acceptable but trading out 30-year-olds for 30-year-olds isn’t helpful. As of right now the only ‘consistency; the Knicks have right now is that it would seem that Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez will be permanent fixtures.
This offseason the Knicks either need to persist with their core group in addition to bringing in players whom lessen the Knicks’ weaknesses or commit to a proper rebuild rather than a re-tool. New York has three draft picks this June and another injection of high-quality youth is a great start to a rebuild alongside Porzingis and Hernangomez.
The Knicks also need to find consistency in relation to coaching and schemes. As was previously mentioned the Knicks are interchanging systems mid game which is laughable and just plain unheard of. New York, like it needs to do with its players, is commit. Make a commitment and persist with one system, and one system only.
If you take a look at the Golden state Warriors three of their All-Stars were their own draft picks. They made a commitment to those three and have put pieces around them and consequently drawn some of the top talent. It may not be perfect, but it is at the very least a rough blueprint.