Finally, Phil Jackson and the Knickerbockers are making moves to reconstruct the face of the team. Last week the Knicks traded Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant to the Bulls for Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday. This is a huge deal for the Knicks, because not only are they getting rid of men who gave them minutes, they are gaining a big name in Derrick Rose.
The Knicks have struggled with having a definitive point guard in the last few years, and with each passing season it is obvious that Carmelo Anthony, the face of the Knicks, is not capable to carry the team alone.
Last year at the Draft, the Knicks used the number 4 pick to acquire Kristaps Porzingis. The fans were devastated and even booed him as he put on the Knick Cap., but this season, Porzingis has quickly become a fan favorite. This pick seemed like a waste, because Porzingis was not coming into the NBA as a dominant force, but yet a “project” that needed work and development and could “potentially” be a strong player in a few years. Porzingis had a solid rookie year, contributing good minutes when he wasn’t in foul trouble. He still has a long way to go, but the fans at the Garden seem to have his back.
Last month, the Knicks hired Jeff Hornacek as their head coach; and under the management of Phil Jackson, the team will still be working on the hallowed “triangle offense” as well as pick and roll offensive classics.
Derrick Rose is an elite basketball player, having been awarded The Rookie of the Year Award and becoming the youngest player to win the MVP award in 2011. With that said, Rose’s career has been overwhelmed by injuries that have caused him to miss many games. He missed the entire 2012-13 seasons and, as Newsday mentioned, missed a total of 244 games in the last 5 seasons. Rose has suffered a torn ACL, torn meniscus, and underwent surgeries that have all inhibited his ability to play. It is no question that Rose is a great player and is a big name for the Knicks, but if Rose can’t stay healthy enough or is slowed by injuries, then the playoff drought in New York may not have been quenched just yet.
The addition of Derrick Rose is to help attract other players to New York. Free agents such as Kevin Durant and Dwight Howard are being targeted by the Knicks, and the lure of New York could seem more enticing with the addition the ex-MVP.
Kevin Durant, after a hard fought loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals this year, has many options as a free agent. He has many options, but with Anthony, the maturing Porzingis and now Rose, New York hopefully seems a little bit more promising of a team. Dwight Howard is also another rumor and option for the Knicks. After getting rid of Robin Lopez, and seeing how Porzingis had trouble being consistent and even being on the floor due to foul trouble, the need for another big man could be filled by Dwight Howard. Porzingis helps to stretch the floor with his shot and Howard could help fill the paint. With the being said, Durant is extremely versatile and can handle the ball particularly well, especially with his size, but the chances of getting either are very slim. The game of basketball is definitely becoming more fast passed and guard oriented, and New York is also going to need consistent shooters and guards to help keep up in the league.
The addition of Derrick Rose is certainly not the answer to all of New Yorkers prayers, but it is definitely helping to better position the team and sending a message that the Knicks are not to be counted out of the league. After the past few seasons filled with losses, no post-season, no head coach, and no direction, it is finally nice to see the Knicks moving in what hopefully is a forward direction, to get the Knicks back to the playoffs.
