4. Second Unit
The New York Knicks have one of the better starting lineups in the NBA. Derrick Rose, Courtney Lee, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Joakim Noah have all showed out at points of the 2016-17 season.
What’s hurting the Knicks’ starting lineup more than anything else, however, is the fact that it can’t take too many moments to rest.
Brandon Jennings and Justin Holiday have begun to turn things around, but there’s certainly room to improve. Some of that may be adjusting the minutes of underutilized players, but it’s also a matter of overall inconsistency.
Even Holiday and Jennings have struggled at times in 2016-17, while Lance Thomas has already missed four of the Knicks’ first 12 games.
Once Thomas returns from a bone bruise in his left ankle, the Knicks’ second unit should improve. The question remains: what can New York expect from the likes of Ron Baker, Willy Hernangomez, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, and Kyle O’Quinn?
There have been flashes of brilliance, but the Knicks must find a consistently reliable rotation amongst the reserves.