1. The Derrick Rose Factor
A season ago, the biggest issue with the New York Knicks’ offense was the inability to create penetration on a consistent basis. Carmelo Anthony, Robin Lopez, and Kristaps Porzingis could go to the post, but no perimeter player could consistently get to the rim.
By trading for point guard Derrick Rose, team president Phil Jackson has addressed that flaw in an extraordinary way.
Rose wasn’t expected to offer the Knicks very much, but he’s been dynamic. He’s averaging 17.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds on 46.1 percent shooting from the field and 84.5 percent shooting from the free throw line.
By comparison, the Knicks’ starting point guard in 2015-16, Jose Calderon, averaged 7.6 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game.
Rose is averaging 9.7 drives and 8.0 points via drives per game—the latter of which ranks No. 5 in the NBA. A season ago, rookie Jerian Grant led the Knicks with averages of 3.5 drives and 2.4 points via drives per game.
Rose is collapsing opposing defenses and finishing at the rim with significantly more consistency than anyone managed to for the 2015-16 Knicks.
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Merely having Rose on the floor makes the Knicks a better and more complete team than they were a season ago.