During the 1990s, the New York Knicks built a perennial contender by placing an emphasis on tough and rugged defense. Patrick Ewing set the tone as the ferocious superstar, but New York built its identity through players such as Anthony Mason and Charles Oakley.
Phil Jackson has built more of a finesse team thus far, but the Knicks are mere days away from signing a respected veteran who identifies far more with a 1990s style of play.
According to Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report, former Indiana Pacers power forward David West is very likely to sign with the Knicks.
League source: David West is "very likely" to sign with the Knicks come FA. "He knew that before he chose not to opt in" with the Pacers.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) June 25, 2015
West finished the 2014-15 NBA season with averages of 11.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 28.7 minutes per game. With that being established, anyone who’s ever watched West likely knows his impact ranges beyond the stat sheet.
West provides every team he plays for with consistency in one vital department: toughness.
Knicks fans shouldn’t be paralyzed by fear over the possibility of signing the 34-year-old to a short-term deal. West may be older, but he’s maintained a high level of play and has never depended on his athleticism.
Instead, the 6’9″ and 250-pound power forward is known for his physicality, leadership and skill offensively. That includes his elite mid-range game:
According to Basketball-Reference.com, West shot an absolutely absurd 50.2 percent on 313 field goal attempts from 16-to-23 feet in 2014-15. Per NBA.com, West shot 48.3 percent on all catch-and-shoot field goals in 2014-15.
With high-caliber facilitators in Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant, West would feast in the Triangle Offense.
West is more than capable of playing with his back to the basket and has made a living working from the elbow.Limited in his explosiveness, he’s still trustworthy for hard screens, great passing and clutch plays.
If there’s any system that can mask West’s lack of athleticism and maximize his strengths, it’s the Triangle Offense.
This is the type of signing that Knicks fans should be excited about. West isn’t an All-Star anymore, but he’s a model of consistency with vast postseason experience and high character that’s respected throughout the NBA.
If nothing else, it’s known and understood that West will show up in the playoffs:
Carmelo Anthony would benefit greatly from having a teammate of West’s caliber.
If West and the Knicks do come to terms on a reasonably priced contract, it’d push the organization in the right direction. It could also provide Kristaps Porzingis with a mentor who will emphasize getting stronger and tougher in the paint.
West to the Knicks doesn’t guarantee a postseason appearance, but it would help. If nothing else, it’d show that New York understands the value of having respected veterans on the roster.
On July 1, free agency will officially begin. Hopefully West will sign on to don the orange and blue in 2015-16.
Next: Carmelo Anthony called Kristaps Porzingis a, 'Steal'
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