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2016 NBA Power Rankings: New York Knicks Additions Ignite New Hype

By Maurice Moton

Oct 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) has a laugh on the bench during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) has a laugh on the bench during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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After acquiring high-profile free agents and adding young talent to the bench, where do the New York Knicks rank going into the 2016-17 season?

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
Oct 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during a game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson and the front office worked the phones after the 2015-16 season and came up with Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Brandon Jennings. All four players bring various assets to a roster lacking overall talent behind Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis last year. How far do these transactions push the Knickerbockers in the first regular-season NBA rankings?

The Knicks tip off against the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. ET thanks to the Cleveland Indians hosting Game 1 of the World Series at 8 p.m. ET on the same night.

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Many people laughed at Rose for considering the Knicks a super team, but the NBA league office gave the Knicks star treatment with an opening night matchup against the defending champions. Regardless of season outlook, New York carries special intrigue with two former Chicago Bulls players going to Madison Square Garden to show they’re still on top of their game after dealing with injuries.

Throughout the offseason, we’ve heard analysts and writers admit the Knicks can finish as a top team in the Eastern Conference if they stay healthy—a comment directed specifically at Rose and Noah.

Nonetheless, the Knicks placed Jennings on display while Rose handled his legal case. The seventh-year veteran showed spunk and an above-average ability to scan the floor and distribute the ball in fast-paced transition. Rookie center Marshall Plumlee showed defensive grit and Willy Hernangomez impressed head coach Jeff Hornacek with his offensive move set, per ESPN’s Ian Begley.

The additional talent serves as decent compensation for injured starters in the short term. How far does the talent influx boost the Knicks in the first 2016-17 NBA Rankings?

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