Written by CJ Suess, July 14, 2016, at 5:49 a.m.
There is no doubt the biggest move so far this summer has been Durant to the Dubs. The Warriors are beginning to look like a shoo-in for the West. Meanwhile, the East is looking more and more like it will finally give us some good basketball to watch.
Cavs and Bulls will likely lead the pack in the East, but another team is showing potential to their hungry fan base that hasn’t been to the playoffs in four years, the New York Knicks.
Thanks mainly to Robin Lopez, the Knicks were able to complete the best high risk high reward trade of the summer, for Derrick Rose. Before you envision a couple of scar tissued knees, let’s look at what can happen with a healthy fresh Rose. The former NBA MVP from 2011.
“D Rose” might not have the same “zero to 100 real quick” explosive type of moves he once had. However, the former NBA MVP has not completely fallen off contrary to what many believe. He has never had a season where he has scored under 15 ppg.
Last year, he played in 66 games staying relatively healthy, and he showed some signs of the old Rose that was a regular on top ten plays of the week. He is still very physical and puts a lot of pressure on the defense the way he takes the ball to the rack.
Although his three-point percentage has been down, he has been rumored to be focusing on his jumper this offseason so that he can transition into playing a style that will fit him, but also preserve him for an entire NBA season. Hopefully, deep into the playoffs.
Remember, that when you hear people say that “D Rose” has lost a step, they are comparing him to “D Rose.” One of the most explosive guards the NBA has ever seen. If you compare what he is now to other point guards in the league, he is still towards the top half athletically.
There is something to be said too about a player that comes back from two knee surgeries. It shows heart, determination, competitiveness, and leadership. All things that you want in teammate, in a leader, and in your point guard.
In the modern NBA, it is all about having a great point guard. The Warriors, Cavs, Clippers, Spurs, Thunder, Raptors, and Blazers are all top tier teams that also have top notch point guards.
So let’s imagine for a minute that “D Rose” is back. Do the Knicks have what it takes to compete with the other top teams in the league?
Carmelo Anthony thinks they do. The former NBA Scoring Title leader is eager to get the critics off his back that say he can never win a championship. Sure over the years he has been hailed as lazy, a primadonna, and someone that has never seen a shot he didn’t like.
The fact still remains that he is a six-foot, eight-inch all-star with mad range who can go for 30 any given night. He can post up the smaller forwards, and stay outside when guarded by the bigs. He is a versatile player that will really benefit from having Rose.
With Rose penetrating the gaps, defense will be forced to decide, help off and leave Melo open for the kick out, or stay home and let Rose slice and dice his way to the hoop. That combination of offensive skill is something the New York Knicks have not seen in a long time.
Melo is towards the end of his prime, but last season he did put up almost 22 ppg, just under eight rebounds a game, and had his best season statistically for assists.
So the offense seems like they are on their way, but no team gets deep into the playoffs without defense. Offense wins games, defense wins championships. That is why Phil Jackson and the Knicks picked up the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah.
Not only does Noah give you rebounding and blocked shots, but he gives you that gritty tough mentality you need on a winning team. The player that makes other teams not want to drive to the hoop in fear that they may get blocked or put on their back.
True, Noah is coming off of his worst year in the NBA, but it is mainly due to him and Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg not seeing eye to eye. Noah is ready to come back and prove himself as a top center in the league.
Recently when interviewed he said, “I’m not here to just get a check and be happy, I want to be an animal.” This must be music to Spike Lee’s ears. Finally New York has someone to restore their rough and tough roots. A modern day Charles Oakley or Anthony Mason that can get in there and do the dirty work.
Noah has also been putting in work recently with Carmelo Anthony in a video released of the two getting up shots together. Noah is a great addition for the Knicks. He has history and chemistry with Derrick Rose from Chicago and he will be a big piece for them if they plan to make a playoff run.
With New York having a Big 3 of their own, I could stop there. But last year, the Knicks had one more guy that almost received some accolades had it not been for Karl Anthony Towns. The young and talented Kristaps Porzingis.
As a 19-year-old kid he came into the league, averaged 14 ppg, over seven rebounds a game, just under two blocks a game, and shot 83 percent from the free throw line. He is a seven-foot, three-inch power forward that can shoot the three, attack the rack, and block shots with authority.
He does need to build some strength, but with his skill set, it is very unlikely he will see a sophomore slump. Rose will be a perfect fit for Kristaps for much of the same reason Carmelo will.
Kristaps will space the floor. He will give them that extra option, that occasional put back dunk, that extra push they will need to get past the Cavs and the Bulls. He has a bright future, and he has one thing coaches can’t teach, height.
Things are finally looking up for the Knicks. They have their shooters to space the floor. They have their tough defensive presence down low. Do they have their point guard? Will you see a healthy Rose? Can he lead a team once again to a playoff run? The pieces are there for him, we will just have to wait and see.
