The New York Knicks are as divisive a team as any in professional sports. Whether New York has built a contender or a non-factor, everyone seems to have an opinion about the quality and potential of the roster.
As the Knicks come off of what many have called a successful offseason, the resistance has been just as strong as the support.
With Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis already in the fold, team president Phil Jackson found free agents with immediate value. Derrick Rose, Courtney Lee, and Brandon Jennings addressed the voids in the backcourt, and Joakim Noah is expected to start at the 5.
Though New York appears to have made progress, ESPN’s 2016 Summer Forecast has the Knicks on the outside looking in of the NBA Playoffs.
"The Knicks were the most improved team last season in terms of win-loss record, and now they’ve added former MVP Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah to the fold. If healthy, our projections could short the Knicks. However, our panel knows that Rose has missed 244 games the past five seasons and Noah has missed 68 games the past two seasons."
With all due respect, the 40-win projection is quite low.
In fairness, the writers at ESPN are rational to question whether or not the Knicks can remain healthy in 2016-17. Jennings, Noah, and Rose all have their share of injury concerns, and overlooking that would be asinine.
Though the skepticism is understandable, here are five reasons why those around the NBA should have more faith in the Knicks.
Next: Leading The Charge