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New York Knicks: 5 Things To Watch For During Preseason

By Kenneth Teape

Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (left) addresses the media as point guard Derrick Rose looks on during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (left) addresses the media as point guard Derrick Rose looks on during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks: 5 Things To Watch For During Preseason
Sep 26, 2016; White Plains, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis addresses the media during the New York Knicks Media Day at Ritz-Carlton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

International Flavor

The Knicks added a lot of players this offseason and a couple of them are coming from overseas. The Knicks already had Porzingis and Sasha Vujacic on the roster, but added some intriguing young talent from overseas for this season as well.

They were able to come to a contract agreement with Willy Hernangomez this season. The Knicks acquired Hernangomez on draft night in 2015 from the Philadelphia 76ers and stashed him overseas. They were able to bring him over stateside this season with a multi-year deal. He is a throwback center that can bang in the middle. He needs some development offensively, but he should help in the middle with his size and rebounding.

The other international signee was Mindaugas Kuzminskas. Kuzminskas had a strong showing with Lithuania during the 2016 Summer Olympics and comes to the Knicks as a sort of unknown. He has good size at 6-feet-8 inches and 216 pounds and can play multiple positions. He may not be in the rotation right away, but he could be someone the Knicks use in small ball lineups to help stretch the floor.

How these players adapt to the NBA game after playing overseas will be important to watch. Some international players adapt quicker than others; not everyone is Kristaps Porzingis. The preseason will give people a chance to see these new faces, as they could be an important part of the squad deeper into the season.

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