New York Knicks: Five Takeaways From The Loss To Utah Jazz

Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends against New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends against New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) dribbles the ball along the baseline during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Derrick Rose (25) dribbles the ball along the baseline during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The Stars Are Finding Their Form

For all of the complaints that may rationally exist, it’s becoming quite clear that the stars are finding their form. Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick Rose all had strong performances against the Utah Jazz.

The defense may be suffering, but those three players have begun to come into their own early in the 2016-17 NBA regular season.

Anthony finished with 28 points and nine rebounds on 12-of-20 shooting, albeit with a mark of 0-of-6 from 3-point range. Porzingis poured in 28 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks on 10-of-18 shooting from the field.

Rose continued to produce well-rounded numbers with 18 points, eight assists, four rebounds, two offensive boards, and a steal on 7-of-14 shooting.

Those three players will go a long way towards defining the success of the Knicks as a team in 2016-17. All need to do a better job on defense, and Anthony needs to avoid his isolation tendencies, but individual progress is being made.

This loss was tough to stomach, but Anthony, Porzingis, and Rose are in store for productive seasons if they can remain healthy.

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The question is: can that trio help the Knicks rebound from yet another tough loss?