Charles Barkley: The Knicks Actually Got NBA Players

The 2014-15 NBA regular season will go down as the single worst in New York Knicks history. Not only did the Knicks lose a franchise record 65 games, but the rotation was filled with players whom the average fan had a difficult time placing.

In 2015-16, that reality will not remain.

Phil Jackson hasn’t built an on-paper championship contender, but he’s improved the roster by a dramatic measure. He’s added respected veterans via free agency and acquired two promising young players at the 2015 NBA Draft.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, even unapologetic Knicks hater Charles Barkley can see New York being competitive in 2015-16.

"“I actually disagree with all the critics [against] the Knicks,’’ Barkley said. “I think the Knicks should be on national television this year. They actually got NBA players.’’“There were times we showed the Knicks, they didn’t have any NBA players — and I’m not trying to badmouth the Knicks,’’ Barkley said. “They had players who should be playing in the D-League or overseas. That’s just a fact. They didn’t have legitimate NBA players.’’“Robin Lopez is an NBA player, Afflalo is an NBA player, [draft pick] Jerian Grant is an NBA player,’’ Barkley said. “That’s three NBA players they didn’t have last year. And they’re going to get Carmelo back. Porzingis is going to be a good player, maybe not right now.”"

Here is the video of the comments:

Love him or hate him, Barkley is right.

Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez are significant upgrades over the revolving door of starters who played at shooting guard and center in 2014-15. Alongside Lopez, rookie Kristaps Porzingis should help provide stability at power forward as a player who, even if he struggles, has a future in New York.

That trio should help the Knicks improve both the offensive and defensive efficiency of the supporting cast, as well as the continuity of the chemistry development process into future seasons.

Lopez is under contract through 2019, Afflalo has a player option for 2016-17 and Porzingis won’t enter restricted free agency until 2020.

In the backcourt, the trio of Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant will get playing time at the two guard spots—primarily point guard. Calderon was hurt for most of 2014-15, while Galloway was a rookie and Grant is entering his first season in 2015-16.

All three can shoot, handle the ball and make plays in the clutch. With a cast of players who can actually be trusted to finish scoring opportunities, their jobs will become infinitely easier.

If nothing else, New York should place better than No. 30 in points per game—where it ranked in 2014-15.

Most importantly, New York will return eight-time All-Star and former scoring champion Carmelo Anthony from injury. Anthony only played in 40 games in 2014-15, battling injuries throughout the season before ultimately requiring season-ending surgery on his left knee.

Anthony’s presence alone should help the Knicks compete for a spot in the 2016 NBA Playoffs.

Whether or not New York cracks the Top 8 in the Eastern Conference, it should be easier to watch in 2015-16 than it was in 2014-15. Anthony’s return and the arrival of quality support should breed competitiveness.

With all due respect to the Knicks’ 2014-15 roster, Barkley hit the nail on the head: unlike a season ago, New York actually has NBA players now.

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