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New York Knicks: The 2016-17 Starting Lineup

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) laugh on the court during second half time out against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) and forward Carmelo Anthony (7) laugh on the court during second half time out against the Chicago Bulls at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) passes around Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) passes around Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Point Guard: Derrick Rose

Age: 27 (10/4/1988)
2015-16 Slash Line: .427/.293/.793
2015-16 Season Averages: 31.8 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.4 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 3PM
Accolades: 2011 NBA MVP, 2011 All-NBA First Team, 3x All-Star

The single most significant upgrade made by Phil jackson and the New York Knicks can be found at point guard. Jose Calderon, Langston Galloway, and Jerian Grant played admirably in 2015-16, but New York needed a consistent No. 1 option at the position.

Though he may not be an MVP-caliber player anymore, Derrick Rose has the tools to fill the Knicks’ primary void.

Rose’s season averages were rather pedestrian in 2015-16, but they don’t tell the entire story. In 21 appearances after the 2016 All-Star Break, Rose averaged 17.4 points and 4.6 assists in 30.9 minutes on a slash line of .468/.375/.784.

If Rose can provide those numbers with that slash line, then the Knicks would have to call the point guard position a genuine strength.

It should also be noted that Rose spent an extended period of time in a protective mask that blurred his vision—a stretch during which he shot 35.7 percent from the field. In the 49 games that followed the removal of said mask, he averaged 17.3 points on 44.9 percent shooting.

In other words, if he can remain healthy, Rose should be able to provide the Knicks with an efficient 17 points per game—far better than Calderon’s 7.6 per contest.

Next: Shooting Guard

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