New York Knicks Bold Predictions For 2015-16 Regular Season

2 Players In Top 6 Of Rookie Of The Year Voting

Oct 22, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks guard Jerian Grant (13) tries to keep the ball inbounds during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

One of the improvements that the Knicks made during the offseason was via the NBA Draft. Armed with the 4th overall pick, they were bound to get a potential franchise cornerstone. It may take a little longer than fans hoped, but Kristaps Porzingis looks like he could be exactly that. Phil Jackson didn’t rest on his laurels after that, picking up the 19th overall pick from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Tim Hardaway Jr., and turning into Jerian Grant.

Those are both players we will see a lot of, as Porzingis will be in the starting lineup to start the season and Grant will come off the bench as the first or second guard. With set roles, both will have a chance to produce right away. With that chance, we will see right away that they are two of the better players on the team, and the stats will reflect that.

Their standing at the end of the season will as well, as both will be in the running for the Rookie of the Year. A big factor in winning that award is putting up stats, which only comes with the opportunity of minutes being played, something the Knicks have available to their youngsters. It will result in both being recognized at the end of seasons as two of the best rookies of the 2015-16 season.

Both Porzingis and Grant will finish in the top six of the Rookie of the Year voting. Of the two, Porzingis has the better chance to win, as he will be who the Knicks focus on growing as a player. Also, being a starter will give him more opportunities to shine. But Grant will not be without opportunity either, as it seems more like a matter of when, not if, he takes over for Jose Calderon as the starting point guard.

Even if that doesn’t happen for a while, Grant will still be a player that catches the attention of fans and media members alike because of his athleticism and electrifying play. Porzingis and Grant are two of the players to make the Knicks and their fans excited, and they will be rewarded at the end of the season with recognition for it. Both players will be named to All-Rookie teams as well.

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