National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: What Every Starter Has To Prove

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:12 p.m. ET

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Every New York Knicks starter is entering 2016-17 with questions pertaining to what they provide. What do the Knicks need them to prove?

Dec 19, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives to the basket against Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks have missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. Of the five starters entering 2016-17, however, three have won a prestigious award or title, another has 50 games of postseason experience, and the fifth is one of the most promising young stars in the NBA.

Yet, for as decorated and intriguing as the starting lineup may be, all five starters enter the 2016-17 season with a significant measure of doubt in their abilities.

In some instances, injuries have created the skepticism that surrounds New York’s high-profile starters. In others, critics appear to be too focused on the numbers without paying enough attention to what actually happens on the court.

While there certainly is a measure of unwarranted doubt and criticism, there are also reasonable questions that every starter must answer.

Following an active offseason, the Knicks will start Derrick Rose at point guard and Courtney Lee at shooting guard. Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis will start at the forward sports, and Joakim Noah will get the nod at center.

The question is: what exactly do the Knicks need those five to prove entering the 2016-17 NBA regular season?

Jan 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) brings the ball up court against the Boston Celtics during the second half at United Center. The Bulls won 101-92. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Derrick Rose: He Can Stay Healthy

Position: Point Guard
Age: 27 (10/4/1988)
Slash Line: .427/.293/.793
Season Averages: 31.8 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 4.7 APG, 3.4 RPG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 3PM

Since winning MVP in 2010-11, Derrick Rose has been active for 166 of a possible 394 games. He missed all 82 games in 2012-13, played in just 10 games in 2013-14, and missed 31 games in 2014-15.

Thus, the most obvious thing for Rose to prove is that, after multiple knee surgeries and a long list of other injuries, he still has something left in the tank.

Rose averaged career full season lows of 16.4 points and 4.7 assists during the 2015-16 regular season. He increased his scoring averaged to 17.4 points on a slash line of .468/.375/.784 after the All-Star Break, but only dished out 4.6 assists per game.

If the New York Knicks are going to make the playoffs with Rose starting at point guard, he’ll need to contribute at a significantly higher level as a facilitator.

Furthermore, Rose must score with more efficiency if he’s going to continue dominating the ball. He shot just 42.7 percent from the field and 29.3 percent from beyond the arc in 2015-16, which are both well below where he needs to be.

Head coach Jeff Hornacek should help Rose as a scorer and playmaker, but the decisions and shots are still made or missed by the player. Rose needs to show he still has it.

Nov 25, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Courtney Lee (5) moves the ball during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. The Grizzlies defeated the Rockets 102-93. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Courtney Lee: He Can Stick

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 30 (10/3/1985)
Slash Line: .454/.378/.839
Season Averages: 29.5 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 3PM

Courtney Lee has 50 games of postseason experience, which is a testament to his value to the team he plays for. He’s a selfless player who shoots efficiently, can create off the bounce, and is capable of contributing borderline elite defense.

For as talented and capable as he may be, Lee has played for six teams in eight years, which implies he can’t stick with any one team.

The team Lee has played for has made the NBA Playoffs in four consecutive seasons. He helped the Memphis Grizzlies win a playoff series in 2015, averaging 13.3 points on a slash line of .550/.467/.957 in 11 games played.

The fact that he’s been traded in two of the past three seasons he’s played, however, has created some measure of concern as it pertains to the New York Knicks.

Having established this, Lee may not be a star shooting guard, but he’s as solid a player as you’ll find around the NBA. He can shoot from distance and midrange, put the ball on the floor, and defend multiple positions.

With the proper star power around him in New York, Lee should be able establish himself as a high-quality asset during the 2016-17 season and beyond.

Jan 18, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Nerlens Noel (4) defends New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the first overtime at Madison Square Garden. New York Knicks won 119-113 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony: He Can Win

Position: Small Forward
Age: 32 (5/29/1984)
Slash Line: .434/.339/.829
Season Averages: 35.1 MPG, 21.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.5 BPG

The New York Knicks are building the immediate future around nine-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony. In doing so, New York is taking a calculated risk on Anthony being able to do something he’s never done before: win an NBA championship.

With just one Conference Finals appearance and no trip to the NBA Finals, however, Anthony must prove that he can win at the highest possible level.

Knicks sixth man Brandon Jennings recently told Anthony Donahue of the “33rd And 7th” podcast that merely making the playoffs wouldn’t be enough. Jennings voiced the general consensus that, once New York gets there, it needs to win at least one series.

For the 32-year-old Anthony, anything short of making the playoffs would be a failure; anything short of winning a series would be a disappointment.

Anthony is one of the greatest players of his era, as evidenced by his being No. 29 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He has 66 games of postseason experience, but his team has been eliminated in the first round in eight of his 10 appearances.

Anthony is safe and secure as a future inductee into the Hall of Fame, but his chance to win as the No. 1 player in New York begins in 2016-17.

Dec 4, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) defends against Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) in the 2nd half at Madison Square Garden.New York Knicks won 108-91. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports

Kristaps Porzingis: He’s No Fluke

Position: Power Forward
Age: 21 (8/2/1995)
Slash Line: .421/.333/.838
Season Averages: 28.4 MPG, 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.8 ORPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.9 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 1.1 3PM

If the New York Knicks have entrusted the immediate future to Carmelo Anthony, then the long-term vision will be made or broken by Kristaps Porzingis. He certainly looked the part of a future franchise player during his rookie season.

For as gifted and productive as he may be, the Knicks need Porzingis to do what very few have succeeded in doing: he must prove he that isn’t a flash in the pan.

Porzingis had a historically productive rookie season. He became the first rookie in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, and 75 3-point field goals made, and averaged the most points, rebounds, and blocks by a Knicks rookie since Patrick Ewing.

There have been many unanimous selections to the 2016 All-Rookie First Team, however, which makes Porzingis’ accolades nothing more than a sign of what he can do.

In 2016-17, Porzingis and the Knicks are thinking playoffs, which means there’s no time for a sophomore slump. Porzingis is facing high expectations, and opposing defenses won’t make it easy for him now that they know what he can do.

Many players have excelled as rookies. It’s now on Porzingis to prove what Knicks fans know: he’s more than a flash in the pan.

Nov 3, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bulls forward center Joakim Noah (13) complains about a foul call against him during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Hornets win 130-105. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Joakim Noah: Still A Defensive Anchor

Position: Center
Age: 31 (2/25/1985)
Slash Line: .383/.000/.489
Season Averages: 21.9 MPG, 4.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 3.0 ORPG, 3.8 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.6 SPG

Following the 2013-14 NBA season, one could make a case that no defensive player was more coveted than Joakim Noah. Noah had just won Defensive Player of the Year and led a Derrick Rose-less Chicago Bulls team to a 48-34 record.

Noah doesn’t need to return to the All-NBA First Team in 2016-17, but the Knicks need him to prove that he can still be a defensive anchor.

Noah is coming off of a season during which he set career lows in points, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. He’s never been much of a scorer, but shooting 38.3 percent from the field would be unacceptable for any player, let alone a center.

More important than his scoring, however, is the fact that he’s struggled to remain healthy in three of the past four seasons.

The promising news with Noah is that his injuries have usually been unlucky, unfortunate, and not career-threatening. He suffered a shoulder injury in 2015-16 and has been battered and bruised in the past, but rarely severely injured.

If Noah can stay healthy and find his niche in Jeff Hornacek’s offense—something Fred Hoiberg never afforded him the opportunity to do—the New York Knicks’ defense will thrive.

Dec 31, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) gets defended by Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng (5) during the third quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 115-90. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Brandon Jennings: He’s Still Got It

Position: Point Guard / Sixth Man
Age: 26 (9/23/1989)
Slash Line: .358/.329/.731
Season Averages: 18.1 MPG, 6.9 PPG, 3.5 APG, 2.0 RPG, 0.6 SPG, 1.1 3PM

Technically speaking, Brandon Jennings isn’t a starter. He is, however, the sixth man on a New York Knicks team that has a starting a point guard who could miss time due to legal troubles and his long history of injuries.

Thus, Jennings will likely have the opportunity to start a reasonably high number of games in 2016-17.

Whether he’s starting or coming off of the bench, Jennings must prove that he’s still the rising star that he once was. Even if he’s lost a step, Jennings is shouldering a heavy burden as a primary ball-handler and playmaker.

After rupturing his achilles tendon in 2014-15 and playing inefficiently in 48 games in 2015-16, Jennings knows he has something to prove.

Knicks fans are in his corner.

It’d be unwise to put too much stock into Jennings’ numbers from 2015-16. He was robbed of his offseason in 2015 and made a miraculously fast return to the NBA from what was a career-threatening injury.

The fact that he played in 48 of 53 games once he returned is evidence of how hard he’s working.

Entering 2015-16, Jennings had career averages of 16.6 points, 6.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.9 3-point field goals made per game. He’s played in 11 postseason games, scored 55 points in a single game, and recorded 51 double-doubles.

If Jennings can reclaim the form that made him a fan favorite between 2009 and 2015, the Knicks will be postseason contenders again.