Grading key Knicks players after start to 2022-23 season
Derrick Rose: D+
As much as it pains me to say this, Derrick Rose has been arguably the most disappointing player on the Knicks this season outside of RJ Barrett. Despite claiming that he was in the best shape of his life and coming in at the lowest weight since his rookie season, Rose has not played particularly well.
It doesn’t help that Rose is receiving the lowest amount of minutes of his entire career, but in that time, Rose hasn’t produced much. He is averaging 6.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 41.2% from the field and 37.2% from three on 2.5 attempts.
Rose has not been performing well at all this season, and considering the aforementioned lack of minutes, it seems like a trade may be in the future for the 34-year-old.
In prior seasons, Rose played an integral part in the Knicks’ success, which is why many people put the lack of success in last year’s season on the fact that Rose only appeared in 26 games. This year, however, has been the opposite of that case.
While this may not necessarily be the worst thing as this frees up minutes for younger players in the rotation, Rose’s play has still been unfortunate.
Hopefully, Rose can improve his level of play as the season goes on, but as things stand currently, it seems more and more likely that Rose may no longer be a member of the Knicks in the near future.
Jericho Sims: B
This grade, for the most part, is based on the expectations surrounding the 24-year-old big man. Not only has Jericho Sims played a pretty important role for the Knicks following Robinson’s injury, but considering he was the 58th pick of the 2021 NBA draft, his play is rather impressive.
With a player selected that low, most teams hope for literally just a player that can at least make it in the league itself. However, in his first two seasons, Sims has carved himself out a very solid career in the NBA.
In 13 games this season, Sims is averaging 4.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting a ridiculous 74.3% from the field. What is most impressive about this is that Sims is doing this in just 14.5 minutes of play per game.
Sims has been an extremely solid two-way player for the Knicks this season, filling in very nicely for the injured Robinson. It was clear the Knicks had plans for him after they signed him to a three-year contract, but I believe he may be outperforming any expectations the front office had for him.
If he keeps this up, he could force his way into a full-time starter and could possibly cause one of the big men ahead of him to be traded.
