New York Knicks: Jeff Van Gundy Thinks NYK Can Win 50 Games
Former New York Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy believes the 2016-17 team can win upwards of 50 games. He gives fair praise and criticism.
Jeff Van Gundy is the one who got away. Much like Gregg Popovich was with the San Antonio Spurs, Van Gundy was the coach who was going to lead the New York Knicks into the future.
15 years after his untimely departure, Van Gundy believes the Knicks can achieve a level of success that’s been generally elusive since he left.
Since Van Gundy left the Knicks in 2001, the organization has recorded three winning records in 15 seasons. It’s won at least 50 games just once, when it recorded 54 victories and secured the Atlantic Division title in 2012-13.
During a recent appearance on the “33rd & 7th” podcast with Anthony Donahue, Van Gundy offered his projection for the Knicks’ 2016-17 win total (h/t Ian Begley of ESPN New York).
"“Listen, I think they’re going to be 45 to 50 [wins], low 50s, in that range.”"
That’s a bold claim, but Van Gundy provided sound reasoning.
"“I think there’s a lot [of factors] that are sure things,” Van Gundy continued. “I think [Joakim] Noah is going to be a sure thing as far as how he plays. [Kristaps] Porzingis is going to have a better second year than he had as a rookie. I think he’ll be outstanding. [Carmelo] Anthony I think is going to be very, very good. Courtney Lee is going to be excellent as a glue type of guy in their starting lineup.“I think a lot comes down to [Derrick] Rose’s health and play and then the bench. It will be interesting to see how that works out. But I certainly believe their starting lineup has the potential to be a 50-game winner without question.”"
It’s hard to disagree with his take on the matter.
Carmelo Anthony is coming off of a summer during which he won a record third Olympic gold medal. Kristaps Porzingis is coming off of a historically productive rookie season and Courtney Lee is as consistent a 3-and-D player as you’ll find in the NBA.
If healthy, Noah’s game is predicated on rebounding, defending, facilitating, and providing energy and leadership—skills that haven’t been lost.
In 2015-16, Noah averaged 14.5 rebounds, 4.9 offensive rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.0 steal per 36 minutes.
The question for New York will be Derrick Rose’s health, Brandon Jennings’ consistency, and the depth of the second unit. Rose hasn’t played more than 66 games in a season since 2010-11, Jennings ruptured his achilles in 2014-15, and Lance Thomas still has something to prove.
Moreover, the likes of Willy Hernangomez, Justin Holiday, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, and Kyle O’Quinn are all unproven commodities as it pertains to high-minute roles.
With head coach Jeff Hornacek running a system that relies upon teamwork and defensive intensity, however, the Knicks have intriguing upside. It’s not just a matter of putting players in a position to score; it’s how he gets everyone involved.
When all five players are active and participating, opposing defenses can’t focus on locking down any one player.
For Anthony and Porzingis, that should create opportunities to attack individual defenders and thrive as scorers. For Jennings, Noah, and Rose, that should create opportunities to excel as facilitators.
There’s no telling how many games New York will win, but Van Gundy’s projection isn’t without reason.
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Another 50-win season would certainly silence those who won’t let New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson breathe without criticism.