New York Knicks: What We Learned From Five-Game Road Trip

5. Willy Hernangomez Could Be Special

Easily the most underrated aspect of Phil Jackson’s tenure as team president of the New York Knicks has been his drafting. Despite having to endure the costly mistakes of the previous regime, Jackson has drafted two potential stars in his three years at the helm.

Everyone in the NBA now knows about Kristaps Porzingis, but Willy Hernangomez is becoming the Knicks’ best kept secret.

Jackson acquired Hernangomez from the 76ers on the night of the 2015 NBA Draft, and not many paid mind to it. He was viewed as a wise acquisition because he’d played with Porzingis in Spain, but was overlooked by media members and fans.

During his three appearances on the Knicks’ five-game road trip, Hernangomez averaged 10.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks in 23.0 minutes per game.

Kyle O’Quinn has been playing at an extraordinarily high level himself, but Hernangomez is capitalizing on his rare opportunities to play. He recorded at leas 10 rebounds in all three of his appearances and dominated the Denver Nuggets.

New York may have lost in Denver, but Hernangomez tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 28 minutes with a +/- of +7.