New York Knicks: New Look Super Team of Intrigue

With the NBA season rapidly approaching, are the New York Knicks the most intriguing team in the league this season?

With the Olympics over, basketball fans can now focus their attention to the intrigue of the upcoming season. An offseason full of familiar faces moving to new faces has the NBA ripe with intrigue on how the next 82 games will unfold for the league. All due respect to Kevin Durant joining that outfit in Golden State, the of New York Knicks may be home to the most intriguing team of the next season.

When Derrick Rose was first introduced as a New York Knick at his press conference; a lot ofattention was given to his statement. A confident Rose declared that the Knicks, along with Durant and the Warriors, were the new “Superteams” in the NBA.

Mocking, and accusations of Rose being delusional ensued as the populous couldn’t believe Rose thought of the Knicks in the same breath as the Warriors. Setting Knicks recent history of sub-par seasons aside, Rose’s statements aren’t that far fetched at all. The additions of Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, and Brandon Jennings to the incumbents of Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis actually looks pretty darn good on paper. Even more so, is understanding that these players and their games will actually compliment each other.

Now, while this isn’t the MVP Rose we saw from 2011, the Knicks have constructed a roster with plenty of shooting, plenty of space, and just the right mix of ball handlers and off-ball players that could make this team work.

Let’s assume the starting lineup will feature Rose and Lee in the backcourt, with Noah, Melo, and Porzingis up front. That looks like a starting five that can match up with anyone. Rose and Lee represent the perfect on-ball, off-ball combo in the backcourt. Lee is an above average shooter from outside and Rose is the dynamic talent. Rose has also really been working to consistently be a 3-point threat. This will help to space the floor for both players. Not to mention, on the defensive side of the ball, you have two guards with good size and lateral quickness that any team would feel comfortable matching up with if you’re facing anyone not named Russell Westbrook.

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The front-line represents a great inside-out presence with Porzingis and Melo having range all the way out to the 3-point line. Noah is the perfect center for the trio being that gritty offensive rebounder and an excellent ball mover. Defensively, while Melo and Porzingis are not the greatest defenders, Melo is solid when putting in effort. Once again, Noah is a great fit as a communicator and defensive anchor. With Porzingis aiming to come into training camp at 245 lbs, adding some solid muscle, and you’re looking at a pair of 7-footers with great length that will alter any shots in the paint. Melo has improved as a rebounder as well, so the defensive boards should not be an issue.

Usually, the problem with ‘Superteams’ is that they are typically top heavy, with a thin bench, leaving everyone outside of the marquee players questionable. One of the highlights of the Knicks season last year was the discovery of some high energy players like Lance Thomas that had some nice moments on the court. Couple that with a sixth man like Brandon Jennings who has been a proven scorer since he came in the league (dropped 55 points in only his 10^th game in the league) and you have solved one of the biggest questions with any bench in the NBA; where will the scoring come from?

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It seems like a lot of personalities in the sports world have written off Rose’s assessment too quickly. Based on past transgressions of the franchise and a lot of assumptions about the players, they may have been right. However, an in-depth look may leave New York and basketball fans all over a bit more optimistic.

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Now, the aforementioned is really all best-case-scenario but that is what predictions are for. There isn’t necessarily a reason to be meek about it. Talent wise, the Knicks have upgraded to be the most talented in the East outside of Cleveland. With luck, if they nail down an additional wing too, (Crawford anyone?) they’d really be cooking with gas. The team is full of intrigue indeed, now it’s time to just wait and see,

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