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New York Knicks: Willy Hernangomez Wants To Win Backup Center Job

By Kenneth Teape

Feb 3, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson looks on in the stands as he watches the Knicks take on the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson looks on in the stands as he watches the Knicks take on the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks rookie Willy Hernangomez is ready to carve out a role with the team once the season starts.

The New York Knicks added a number of players this offseason to upgrade the talent on their roster. With those additions, there will now be battles for playing time, as only some players are guaranteed minutes this upcoming season.

Right now, the Knicks starting five looks set with Derrick Rose, Courtney Lee, Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah. In the second unit, Brandon Jennings and Lance Thomas should be the first two players off the bench, but after that, Jeff Hornacek will have some decisions to make.

There are minutes to be had on the wing behind Lee and Anthony, while the backup minutes in the frontcourt should be up for grabs as well. The Knicks have plenty of options to turn to at each spot, which will be something to keep an eye on throughout the coming weeks as we approach training camp.

One player to keep an eye on is rookie Willy Hernangomez. Hernangomez is being brought over from Europe after the Knicks selected him with the 35th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft; they acquired the pick in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers.

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After being stashed in Europe last season, Hernangomez is ready to come over to the Knicks and play for them. He will be familiar with Porzingis, as the two are good friends and played together prior to Porzingis coming over to the Knicks.

That will help him transition to the NBA, as he will have someone to lean on as he learns the ins and outs of the NBA and living in a whole new country. While the Knicks were unable to see him play during the summer in the Orlando Summer League, Hernangomez has been preparing for the Olympics with the Spanish National Team, and he has been taken under the wing of NBA veteran Pau Gasol.

"“Playing in the Olympics games, it’s a big opportunity to improve and play big games and with a player like Pau,” Hernangomez said. “Practicing with him, he teaches me a couple of things, shows me some moves, little things to play better in the NBA. It’s a big opportunity for me to play against him in practice. I learned more with him in one month than in one year [in Spain].”"

The Knicks are hoping some of that tutelage can be carried over once he joins the team following the Olympics. It can only help, as Phil Jackson is already a fan of the style of play Hernangomez will bring, as he is a throwback, old-school type center that likes playing with his back to the basket.

"“When I explain my game, I love playing the low post, love passing ball to my teammate,” Hernangomez said. “I am like a typical center playing in the post, maybe shooting from the free-throw line. I can play pick-and-roll. I think I can play triangle because in Spain and Europe, you play similar things, but I don’t know if this year we’ll play faster and move the ball faster.”"

How Hernangomez describes his game, he sounds like he will be a good fit for what the Knicks are trying to run. They do not look like they will be abandoning the triangle offense entirely, so having a big man that is comfortable with the ball in his hands as either a scorer or playmaker is a necessity.

He knows that he will have to work for his opportunity to show off those skills on the court, as he will not be handed playing time; he will have to earn it like any other player coming to the team.

“I want to win my minutes,” Hernangomez said. “I think I have a big chance to play off the bench. I want to show them I can play, but I have to work from the first day. I want to show teammates and coaches I can play on the team right away.”

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That is the kind of work ethic that you like to hear from young players. The Knicks veterans in the front court better bring their A game, as Hernangomez sounds ready to come in and contribute right from the get-go.

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