Westchester Knicks: Top 5 Moments Of 2016
5. Mirroring 2015-16 Start
The Westchester Knicks started off the 2015-16 season by winning their first six games. DaJuan Summers powered the Knicks in the first two games by averaging 25.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game before suffering a left achilles tendon injury.
In the first week, Summers was named the Performer of the Week. He became the first Westchester Knick to accomplish that feat.
The Knicks took full advantage of their schedule, as five of their first six games were at home. Westchester totaled many impressive wins to start off the season.
Jimmer Fredette, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA D-League Draft, made his debut in the sixth game of the season and had a game to remember.
The following season, the Knicks mirrored their production from the 2015-16 season. Even though the Dub Knicks lost their first game of the 2016-17 season, the team went on a six-game win streak after the season opener.
For the first six games, the Knicks were led by Chasson Randle. Despite getting waived by the New York Knicks, Randle came out of the game with something to prove. Westchester didn’t win the game, but Randle showcased his scoring ability by totaling 25 points while shooting 7-of-16 from the field.
Damien Inglis has been valuable to the team’s success thus far. Inglis has been taking advantage of his size when he gets his opponent in the post, as he tries to out muscle them to knock down a jumper. The most noteworthy part of his game is his ability to be a good passer.
Inglis is mostly the point forward when he’s on the court and benefits when he draws a double team, as he can find the open man and kick it out to them.
With a minimum of 10 games played, Inglis leads the team in assists per game (3.9).
The Knicks were able to get a solid performance from their assignees against the Greensboro Swarm. In his first game with Westchester, Marshall Plumlee sparked the team with his grittiness and rebounding.
While he finished the game with 10 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and a block, Plumlee has been valuable to the team when he’s assigned to Westchester since he does most of the dirty work.
The Knicks have greatly benefited from their assignment players this season.
“In this league, it helps a lot when you can get assignment players that can give you a little boost,” Westchester head coach Mike Miller said. “When you get the players, they all bring something different, so when Marshall [Plumlee] comes he brings what he does at a high level.”
After starting the 2015-16 season with a 6-1 record, the Knicks finished the season with a 28-22 record. That also included making the D-League playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
After mirroring the record from last season, are the Knicks bound to make the playoffs in consecutive years?