5 reasons the Knicks will make the playoffs in 2016-17
By Greg Patuto
The New York Knicks made serious changes in the offseason to try and help them contend in the Easter Conference. Here are five reasons that they will make the playoffs this season.
The Knicks seem to have as much upside as they do question marks. Can Carmelo Anthony stay healthy while maintaining his level of play? Will Kristaps Porzingis take the next step that people are expecting or is a sophomore slump in his future? Can Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah return to 2011 form? If all this goes right, the sky’s the limit? Probably not, the playoffs are the limit.
There are expectations that are realistic and unrealistic. Rose said he sees the Knicks as a “super-team.” Some say Eastern Conference Finals but realistically, this team just needs to get into the playoffs. Head coach Jeff Hornacek has had a lot of good things to say about the team and what they plan to do on offense.
5. Kristaps Porzingis
The reason Porzingis had so many critics when he was drafted was because no one had seen him play and his weight was a problem.
Porzingis quickly shut the critics up. In 72 games as a rookie, KP averaged 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RBP and nearly two blocks per game. He showed the ability to shoot from three-point range, score in the post and play defense with the best of them. Selected fourth overall, Porzingis quickly emerged as the league’s number two rookie last year, behind Karl Anthony-Towns. And he’s only getting better.
Porzingis focused on ball-handling in the offseason and showed some of it off in preseason. Imagine a 7-foot-3 forward who can shoot three’s, handle the ball and dominate in the post. Well, that is what the Knicks have. They plan to use Porzingis in a lot of pick and pop situations with Rose. The addition of an actual point guard will benefit him greatly.
This season, Porzingis will be the Knicks’ number one bright spot. He will be an all-star and with weapons around him, he will take off and average close to 20 PPG. This will help the Knicks charge into the playoffs as a middle of the pack seed.