Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Surprises And Disappointments Of The 2016-17 Season

By Raamish Azeem

Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) warms up before action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks guard Derrick Rose (25) warms up before action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Mar 6, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) blocks New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Bismack Biyombo (11) blocks New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Surprise: Willy Hernangomez

Willy (Pronounced Billy) Hernangomez is the reason the New York Knicks had two representatives at the Rising Stars game. It feels weird just thinking about it. The Knicks drafted a good role player and can develop him? Unheard of! But alas, this is the case with Kristaps Porzingis’ best friend and big man partner in crime.

Hernangomez was supposed to be a project, just like Porzingis. He had post moves and that’s about all we knew about him. Just like KP, he didn’t really play a lot of minutes in Spain. But theres a reason Carmelo Anthony compared him to Marc Gasol in the post.

The kid is crafty.

Hernangomez averages just over 16 minutes a game. In that span, he produces 7.2 points and 6.3 rebounds. His per 36 statistics are where Knicks fans start salivating.

Hernangomez averages 15.3 points, 13.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.2 blocks per 36 minutes. Keep in mind that he’s a rookie who was picked in the second round.

His defense, specifically his rim protection, could use some polishing. Overall, however, his defensive plus minus is a positive. And offensively, he seems to be in the right spot at the right time.

Hernangomez understands when to cut and when to roll. His post moves can also use a little work, but he has shown flashes of dream shakes and up-and-unders that Knicks fans haven’t seen their center do in a long time.

Home/Knicks News