The New York Knicks have built a high-profile starting lineup, but not every player’s skill set is appreciated to its fullest extent.
The summer of 2016 was one of change for the New York Knicks. Team president Phil Jackson and general manager Steve Mills created a new roster, a new system, and a new identity in just one offseason.
Though there are reasons to love and hate what’s transpired, every starter on the roster is currently being sold short in their value to the Knicks.
ESPN’s Summer Forecast projected the Knicks at 40 wins in 2015-16. Many basketball fans and analysts around the world expect New York to be at the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference, barely flirting with the postseason.
Whether that’s a fair or inaccurate representation of the 2016-17 Knicks, every starter has a strength that deserves more attention.
In some cases, a decline has been greatly overstated. In others, the development of new strengths or the presence of long-lasting abilities has been thoroughly overlooked by those evaluating the progression.
Regardless of how or why it’s transpired, every starter on the Knicks has a strength that’s become severely underrated.
Next: Point Guard
Derrick Rose
Position: Point Guard
Age: 27 (10/4/1988)
Slash Line: .427/.293/.793
Season Averages: 31.8 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.4 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 3PM
Almost every sports fan in the world is familiar with the uphill battle that Derrick Rose is currently fighting. He infamously tore his ACL in 2011 and has played more than 51 games in just once season since that fateful night.
The most easily overlooked aspect of Rose’s progressive return to the NBA has been the fact that he’s still an outstanding dribble-penetrator.
Despite enduring a multitude of leg-related injuries, Rose is one of the best players in the NBA at attacking off the bounce. He scores at a high volume and maintains a level of efficiency that implies he’s more than just relentless.
Thus, while most maintain the fear that the Knicks will struggle to create penetration, Rose should prevent that issue.
Rose finished the 2015-16 season at No. 14 in drives per game and No. 9 in points via drives per game. He shots 51.0 percent on said attempts, which shines a light on the rare combination of volume and efficiency.
Rose has to pick his sports more than he used to, but all that does is create a more efficient offense for the New York Knicks.
Next: Shooting Guard
Courtney Lee
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 30 (10/3/1985)
Slash Line: .454/.378/.839
Season Averages: 29.5 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 3PM
The most common evaluation of starting shooting guard Courtney Lee is that he’s a 3-and-D player. That’s not inaccurate; Lee is an efficient 3-point shooter who can defend all three perimeter positions.
The most underrated skill in Lee’s arsenal, however, is his ability to create his own offense in versatile ways.
Lee, like Arron Afflalo in 2015-16, can create space and exploit opposing defenses from midrange. In 2015-16, he made 98 midrange jump shots on 43.8 percent shooting—strong marks in both volume and efficiency.
Lee is also a 38.4 percent 3-point shooter for his career, and shot 40.3 percent on catch-and-shoot 3-point field goals in 2015-16.
That efficiency off the catch helps Lee take his man off the bounce and attack the rim. He’s not an elite slasher, but he’s athletic enough to get by a vast majority of NBA defenders, and crafty enough to finish.
Lee will be a complementary scorer for the Knicks, but he has the perfect skill set to excel in that role.
Next: Small Forward
Carmelo Anthony
Position: Small Forward
Age: 32 (5/29/1984)
Slash Line: .434/.339/.829
Season Averages: 35.1 MPG, 21.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.5 3PM
It’s no secret that Carmelo Anthony is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. He ranks No. 29 on the all-time scoring list, No. 13 in career scoring average, and won the scoring title during the 2012-13 season.
Though his effort fluctuated in the past, Anthony stepped up as a defensive player during the 2015-16 regular season.
Though his reputation may say otherwise, Anthony has become a quality defensive player. He held opponents to 42.1 percent shooting from the field in 2015-16, with said number falling below 40 percent at multiple points of the season.
Anthony wasn’t being hidden on defense, either; he routinely took on the inherent challenge of defending his position.
Anthony needs to become a better team defender in an off-ball capacity. Jeff Hornacek can mask some of that by putting the New York Knicks into more zones when Anthony is on the floor, but ‘Melo is clearly capable of holding his own in on-ball situations.
Anthony may not be a traditionally reliable defensive player, but times are changing in New York under Phil Jackson’s watch.
Next: Power Forward
Kristaps Porzingis
Position: Power Forward
Age: 21 (8/2/1995)
Slash Line: .421/.333/.829
Season Averages: 28.4 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 ORPG, 1.3 APG, 1.9 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.1 3PM
Kristaps Porzingis is a shot-blocking menace who can shoot the 3-ball and play above the rim. Every one of those traits has been established and appreciated by the masses during his rise to prominence.
Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Porzingis’ game is just how far he’s already come in his early development as a post player.
Porzingis is still raw as a post player, but his arsenal of moves are well beyond the unwritten standards for modern big men. In 2015-16, he pulled out Dream Shakes with up-and-under finishes and beautiful turnarounds that left Madison Square Garden in awe.
There may be work to be done, but Porzingis is already a skilled enough post player to be a threat with his back to the basket.
The two keys for Porzingis will be improving his timing and putting on weight. He struggled to consistently go to the post against stronger players as a rookie, and often rushed his shot when he managed to gain position.
Porzingis is working tirelessly to improve upon both of those relative weaknesses, which is frightening news for the Knicks.
Next: Center
Joakim Noah
Position: Center
Age: 31 (2/25/1985)
Slash Line: .383/.000/.489
Season Averages: 21.9 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.0 ORPG, 3.8 APG, 1.0 BPG
It’s no secret that Joakim Noah is one of the most revered defensive players of this generation. It’s also well-documented that Noah is an incredible passer who established his offensive value with his high assist numbers in 2013-14.
Perhaps the most underrated skill in Noah’s arsenal is the manner in which he dominates the offensive glass.
Noah justifiably receives mountains of praise for the way his relentless work ethic translates to the defensive end of the floor. He plays physically, throws his body around, and utilizes every ounce of energy that he has in his body.
The most severely understated benefit of Noah’s nonstop motor is the manner in which he controls the offensive glass.
Noah has averaged at least 3.0 offensive rebounds per game in eight consecutive seasons. That includes 2015-16, when he played just 21.9 minutes per game and still managed to pull down 3.0 offensive rebounds per contest.
Teams that create second chance scoring opportunities tend to fare well overall, and Noah is as reliable as they come at doing so.
Next: Sixth Man
Brandon Jennings
Position: Point Guard & Sixth Man
Age: 26 (9/23/1989)
Slash Line: .368/.329/.731
Season Averages: 18.1 MPG, 6.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 RPG, 1.1 3PM
Brandon Jennings has spent a vast majority of his career floating around 40 percent shooting from the field. That’s created the reputation of a player who’s irresponsible when he has the ball in his hands.
That may be true as it pertains to his shot selection, but Jennings is actually one of the best in the NBA at limiting his turnovers.
Jennings’ career-worst average in turnovers per game was 2.7 in 2013-14—a year during which he also averaged 7.6 assists. That’s quite an impressive number when one considers the type of role Jennings has been cast in over his NBA career.
From his rookie year onward, Jennings has been trusted to create offense for both himself and others—and he’s taken fantastic care of the ball.
Having a player who can facilitate in a productive and efficient manner is conducive to team success. Jennings still needs to improve his shot selection, but he’s as responsible a facilitator as one can find in the NBA.
Jennings, a player who can take care of the ball and get it to his teammates, should help head coach Jeff Hornacek run a smooth and stable offense.
must read: Who should New York sign to fill the final roster spot?
Though every Knicks starter has something to prove, they also have a skill that’s become severely underrated.