What would the New York Knicks’ starting five look like with Rajon Rondo and DeMar DeRozan?
If you bleed orange and blue, you know the time has come for the Zen Master to step up. Much is being said about the New York Knicks looking for a max contract type of guy—something head coach Jeff Hornacek said himself.
Mike Conley would certainly be that type of option, but you and I know the point guard position is just one of our 99 problems.
With players like Langston Galloway, Lance Thomas, Derrick Williams, and Arron Afflalo possibly leaving the roster, you wonder if a max contract is really the way to go. It’s not, but you’re sick of waiting (it’s been too long) and you want a big three, so hear me out.
It all starts Rajon Rondo‘s interest in playing for the Knicks, per Marc Berman of The New York Post.
"“I had a comment earlier about it, but if I put my mind at it, I think I can be good at anything,” Rondo told The Post.“The Lakers have proven you can have success,” Rondo said. “Even go back to the old Bulls. I think it’s about personnel and it’s about having the right guys. You need guys with a high IQ, who really know the game well to break down film and become great at it.”"
I know what you’re going to say: “Rajon Rondo is past his prime. Rondo can’t win without All-Stars around him, Rondo can’t shoot and he’s a liability on defense. Take this nonsense elsewhere.”
I just have one thing to say about all that: Boston Celtics Championship of 2008. Rondo is surrounded by the likes of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. This team was one to be feared if they set foot on your court.
Now listen, Kristaps Porzingis has KG’s length and a jump shot that stretches beyond the three point line (and he’s just starting his career). Carmelo Anthony is past his Denver hype and scoring champion days, but he demonstrated he can be a better player all around by improving his assists averages.
If you get anything out of the 2016 Finals, it’s that assists are the way to go nowadays.
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So many options for Rondo, when you have Allen for the corner three, Pierce coming off a screen, or KD wanting to post up. Rondo is often referred to as the Picasso of basketball. There’s a reason why when you successfully (Shaqtin’ A Fool featured Marcelo Huertas getting blocked while attempting a behind the back pass, hilarious) pull off a behind the back pass, they call it The Rondo.
Of course, here’s the missing piece: Ray Allen. That’s where DeMar DeRozan comes in.
And according to Marc Berman of The New York Post, the Knicks are interested in DeRozan.
"Jackson appears to be leaning at better value in adding a pair of athletic, versatile shooting guard/swingman along the lines of DeMar DeRozan, Evan Turner, Kent Bazemore, Nicolas Batum or Bradley Beal instead of a true point guard."
Is DeRozan worth a max contract? Can he deliver during the playoffs? Could he be persuaded to come play at MSG?
His bad shooting was due to the fact that the team relies too heavily on him. Remember a few years back how Melo struggled against a defensive-minded Indiana Pacers team in the playoffs? Isolation ball cost us the series.
But in New York, DeRozan would have options; he’d have that third scorer he’s lacking in Toronto.
Imagine the new starting five. Rondo at the point, DeRozan at shooting guard, Anthony as the small forward, Porzingis at the 4, and Robin Lopez at the 5. The Celtics’ starting five all over again.
The team to be feared when people step into our court. The team to make the Cavs sweat in fear of failing to reach the NBA finals.
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Last but not least, the team to bring New York and a very patient and enduring Carmelo Anthony the championship that we are all waiting for.