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New York Knicks: The Five X-Factors For The 2016-17 Season

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Lance Thomas (42) saves the ball from going out of bounds by bouncing it off of Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Khris Middleton (22) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Lance Thomas (42) saves the ball from going out of bounds by bouncing it off of Milwaukee Bucks shooting guard Khris Middleton (22) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 21, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is defended by Sacramento Kings guard James Anderson (5) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) is defended by Sacramento Kings guard James Anderson (5) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Derrick Rose’s Health

Position: Point Guard
Age: 27 (10/4/1988)
Experience: 7 Seasons
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

Brandon Jennings needs to prove that he can remain healthy, but his concerns pale in comparison to those about Derrick Rose. Though he’s been relatively healthy over the past two seasons, Rose has been through injury hell.

If Rose can’t remain healthy enough to play a high percentage of the New York Knicks’ games, the entire team will suffer.

Having Jennings as the backup alleviates some of the pressure that Rose is feeling to play in all 82 games. Even if he matches the 66 games he was active for in 2015-16, that should be enough for the Knicks to return to the playoffs.

Even if Rose does remain healthy, the Knicks will need something closer to his post-2016 All-Star Break self than his pre-2016 All-Star Break self.

In 2015-16, Rose averaged 15.9 points in 32.2 minutes on a slash line of .408/.255/.797 in 45 games before the All-Star Break. In 21 games after the All-Star Break, however, Rose averaged 17.4 points in 30.9 minutes on a slash line of .468/.375/.784.

Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis are expected to build upon individually successful 2015-16 campaigns, but they need Rose to make things easier by collapsing opposing defenses.

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If Rose succeeds in staying healthy and creating penetration, the Knicks could make some serious noise in 2016-17.

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