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New York Knicks Have Work Cut Out For Them In Player Development

By Stephen Conway

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Mar 12, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Knicks president

Phil Jackson

in attendance in the first half during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks look to be much improved heading into the 2015-16 season. Things can’t possibly go as poorly as they did during the 2014-15 campaign, but for this current team to reach it’s potential it will take a lot of work from the coaching staff to get the most out of young players the Knicks acquired through the draft and free agency. Will they be able to build a foundation to continue growing for the future?

Two weeks removed from the NBA Draft, the New York Knicks have their work cut out for them.

On draft night, New York came away with three players who have potential to be serviceable for the team for years to come. At number four the Knicks drafted Kristaps Porzingis, then they traded Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks for the 19th overall pick and rights to Jerian Grant. They then made another trade, this time with the Philadelphia 76ers, acquiring the 35th overall pick Guillermo Hernangomez; Hernangomez is expected to be a stash player for the Knicks, as he will have some more time to gain experience and get some seasoning in Europe.

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The NBA universe, especially Knick fans, expressed their deep frustration with Phil Jackson after drafting the 7-footer Porzingis, but analysts say he has all the tools to be a star in the NBA, but he needs a few years to develop into that player. Does New York have that kind of time? Not really. Jackson, and the New York coaching staff are going to have to work extremely hard to develop Porzingis and Grant in a timely fashion, because Knick fans do not want to wait.

On the free agency side, New York added Arron Afflalo, Robin Lopez, Derrick Williams, and Kyle O’Quinn. Two of these players, Williams and O’Quinn, are young talents with a lot of potential, but haven’t lived up to it. Williams and O’Quinn, both big man, can fill a big void at the four position for New York.

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If coach Derek Fisher can transform one of them into a solid starter who reaches his full potential, it will be a huge win. However, it will be a project, and the coaching staff will have to invest a lot of time into these two players.

The coaching staff has a lot of work to do with the whole roster. Developing Porzingis and Grant, along with O’Quinn and Williams, and second year player Cleanthony Early will be a tough test for second year coach Fisher and Jackson. However, in the small chance that they turn a few of these players into gold, it could be a special year in the Big Apple.

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