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New York Knicks: Stars Aren’t Always The Answer

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates a play with center Robin Lopez (8) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) in the third quarter of their game the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) celebrates a play with center Robin Lopez (8) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) in the third quarter of their game the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Knicks won 107-101. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Balance Wins Games

The New York Knicks have every reason to pursue a big name in 2016. With that being said, writing off the other guys would be a sign of ignorance to how important role players are to a team’s success.

Most role players wouldn’t be stars on their own, but in a system that enables them to focus specifically on their strengths, they can be crucial.

In a perfect world, the Knicks will sign a player such as Nicolas Batum, Mike Conley, DeMar DeRozan, or Rajon Rondo. Even with one of those players, however, a number of voids would remain.

Thus, if a role player has a specific skill that fits the system, then adding them for an affordable cost should be a priority.

The second unit was abhorrent in 2015-16; both starting guard positions are flawed; there aren’t even many players under contract entering 2016-17. In other words, the second unit is weak, and signing one player to a big contract would the flexibility New York has in improving it.

If the Knicks sign a non-superstar to a max contract, then where does one expect the team to find the money to sign players to fill the other voids?

Next: Learning From The Past

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