New York Knicks: Five Reasons For Optimism Following 2016-17

5. The Role Players

There’s a working theory that role players are replaceable. That’s generally true, but when teams run a motion offense, the cumulative quality of the role players can be as important to team success as the presence of the featured stars themselves.

Although the New York Knicks may not have won many games in 2016-17, multiple players displayed the potential to fill supporting roles at a high level.

Two rookies, Ron Baker and Mindaugas Kuzminskas, displayed the potential to be high-quality assets along the second unit. Baker is a competitive two-way player who can play both guard positions, and Kuzminskas is a hybrid forward who can space the floor and attack off the bounce.

It’s no coincidence that the Knicks were 2.0 points per 100 possessions better with Baker on the court and 3.8 points per 100 possessions better with Kuzminskas.

New York also witnessed extensive flashes of brilliance from swingman Justin Holiday. He competed on both ends of the floor, and New York was 4.2 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the floor than when he wasn’t.

Coupled with Kyle O’Quinn becoming a nightly double-double threat, New York was able to call its second unit a strength during the 2016-17 season.