New York Knicks: Willy Hernangomez Continues To Impress
Rookie center Willy Hernangomez has been one of the few bright spots for the New York Knicks in 2016-17. He’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Thursday, June 25, 2015 may live on as the day the tide turned for the New York Knicks. Team president Phil Jackson made two decisions at the 2015 NBA Draft that weren’t warmly received, but could define the resurgence of a once glorious organization.
After No. 4 overall selection Kristaps Porzingis emerged as a rising star in 2015-16, No. 35 overall selection Willy Hernangomez is taking his turn in 2016-17.
Hernangomez and Porzingis were teammates in Spain’s Liga ACB with Baloncesto Sevilla. Though both players deserved to be drafted into the NBA, there was a misconception that Jackson only took Hernangomez to appease Porzingis.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, starting point guard Derrick Rose offered high praise for the 22-year-old Hernangomez following yet another stellar performance.
"“I love when he is out there,’’ Rose said. “He’s been playing professional ball since he was 17. He listens, has no ego and great character.”"
Any time an established player states that they, “Love when he is out there,” the teammate being discussed is special in some way or another.
Hernangomez is currently averaging 5.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 offensive boards, 0.8 assist, and 0.5 block in 13.7 minutes per game. Those numbers translate to 15.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.8 offensive rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks per 36 minutes.
Hernangomez is also shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 73.3 percent from the free throw line, and has made three 3-point field goals in 2016-17.
Impressive as that all may be, Hernangomez has elevated his game to an entirely new level during his past four performances.
Hernangomez tallied eight points and 13 rebounds in 21 minutes against the Toronto Raptors—a sign of things to come. He posted 17 points and 11 rebounds in 20 minutes against the Boston Celtics, and tallied six points and eight rebounds in 14 minutes against the Phoenix Suns.
Most recently, Hernangomez tallied 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal in 24 minutes against the Indiana Pacers.
Beyond the numbers, Hernangomez plays with an infectious energy and an intriguing confidence in the post. He moves well without the ball, has soft hands on the dive, and finishes well around the rim, which has made him a pick and roll partner to Brandon Jennings.
Hernangomez has also turned heads with the way he’s gone to the post and played with a level of confidence and polish that’s well beyond his years.
Though he still has work to do, Hernangomez is firmly establishing himself as a valuable contributor. His rebounding is a constant strength when he’s on the court and his chemistry with Jennings is enticing unto itself.
Regardless of whom he takes the court with, Hernangomez always seems to make a positive impact on the game.
The Knicks currently have net ratings of +3.8 when Hernangomez is on the floor and -4.9 without him—a difference of 8.7 points per 100 possessions. Most impressively, New York has defensive ratings of 100.5 with Hernangomez on the court and 110.5 without him.
Though his playing time has been sporadic and limited, the Knicks are allowing 10.0 more points per 100 possessions when Hernangomez is off the court than when he is.
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As the New York Knicks search for ways to turn the 2016-17 NBA regular season around, Willy Hernangomez routinely answers the call.