The New York Knicks surprisingly made the postseason last year. After years of drama and tumblings inside the organization, the Knicks finally broke through. Of course, it did not end too well, since they were knocked out in five games versus the Atlanta Hawks. However, the young team led by Julius Randle still had a great season for Knicks standards.
Now, they will be looking to cement themselves as a perennial Playoff team in the volatile East. Offseason additions of Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker will surely help. Randle is still there, as is the former MVP Derrick Rose who had a great season in the Knicks uniform. However, they will need to repeat their success in a stronger conference, as some teams have gotten better over the summer.
The Indiana Pacers, for one, have some players back from injuries. Also, the Chicago Bulls got some serious help over the summer, while the Toronto Raptors should not be judged solely by a poor last season. All of the teams around the postseason are also expected to be in that place again, so the Knicks face a tough battle.
In a roster full of good players, there is a good chance that one player will completely shock you when the season begins – Kevin Knox.
Knox started his Knicks career in a great way. In his rookie season, he started 57 games and scored 12.8 points per game. However, in the last two seasons, his numbers fell massively. He went from 12.8 points in his first year to just 3.9 in his third year, without any starts and playing just 42 games. Still, this player is a massive talent and although it seems like fell out of favor with coach Tim Thibodeau, he might be making a comeback.
In the simplest of terms, the Knicks really need wing scoring. They have assembled a roster that is better than last season. As mentioned above, they added Fournier and Walker and kept important pieces from last season. However, the issue becomes who will carry the offensive load when the main players are on the bench. Randle, Fournier, and Walker will be the main guys when it comes to starting games, but when they go to the bench, the whole load falls on Derrick Rose. Rose had a great year but with his injury history, it would be less than ideal to rely completely on him.
Knox actually surprised a lot of people with his play in his first season. He scored in a matter of ways and did not hesitate from taking responsibility. While his efficiency has not been good, Knox can still ball and he just needs to be given a chance. Also, he is something the Knicks really need. Reggie Bullock, the starting wing is gone to Dallas to play for the Mavericks and that opens up valuable minutes for Knox in that small forward position.
Additionally, Bullock is taking his 10.9 points per game with him as well, meaning that they need that fill-in scorer. Evan Fournier will carry a lot of that load, of course, but he needs support from the bench. Knox, young as he is, will need these minutes that Bullock left open to cement his place in this league.
After the team picked up his team option a year ago, this is the last season he has to prove himself. Of course, should the contract just run out, he will probably get one more shot in the NBA, through a Summer League or an unguaranteed contract. However, that can be avoided, if Knox can get some valuable minutes in the Knicks and prove why he could be a very cost-efficient option for both the Knicks, should they resign him, or any other team in the league.
Players in their contract year usually ball out, so look to Knox this season to do exactly that. Doing so, he could help his team way more than the 3.9 points he averaged last season. If he can prove himself again and get some of the minutes that he got previously, and get them consistently, both Knox and the Knicks are better off.
The Knicks should still be considered favorites to end up in the postseason again. They have a roster that has gelled, even more, Randle seems like a superstar, and Thibodeau is pulling all the strings. Now, it is a question of fit and use of his roster. If the new signings can fit in and he can use the full extent of his 15 guys, Thibs can make the Knicks a potential Playoff landmine. Knox, if he shows up, can play a key role in that.
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