2. Second Unit
Entering the 2016-17 NBA regular season, few expected the New York Knicks’ bench to provide much of anything. There were quality players, but there were also reasons to be skeptical of their respective abilities.
Thus far in 2016-17, the Knicks’ second unit has provided an invaluable spark to a team that’s struggled to maintain adequate intensity levels.
Brandon Jennings struggled mightily in 2015-16, but he’s recovered well from a ruptured achilles tendon and is leading an effective charge. Kyle O’Quinn had untapped potential and frustrating inconsistency, but is in the midst of a career year.
Justin Holiday was viewed as a throw-in to the Derrick Rose trade, Willy Hernangomez and Mindaugas Kuzminskas were considered non-factors, and they’ve all been superb.
Jennings is averaging a team-high 5.4 assists per game, which is also higher than anyone on the 2015-16 Knicks. O’Quinn is averaging 9.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over his past 12 appearances, and Hernangomez has at least 10 points or 10 rebounds in four of his past six appearances.
The Knicks’ second unit isn’t yet elite, but in a far cry from 2015-16, there’s both intriguing upside and immediate value.