NBA 2015-16 season: Grading every team’s performance
By Tom West
New York Knicks (D-)
Before the 2015-16 NBA season started, there were genuine predictions that the Knicks may actually make the playoffs. Not comfortably, of course, but there seemed like a chance they at least had the potential to sneak in as an 8th seed.
They stocked their roster with some solid talent, such as Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez, giving the indication that some improvement would be in store. And it was, at least after they had some promising spells midway through the season and finished with almost twice as many wins (32) as last season (17).
Then, Kristaps Porzingis mania swept that nation as he took off with emphatic put-back slams and rejections, finishing the season as a likely runner up for Rookie of the Year behind Karl-Anthony Towns. Porzingis succeeded all expectations by far, and his startling confidence and performance alone (primarily over the first half of the season) helps add some extra marks to the Knicks’ grade and their possible fate for 2016-17. On top of that, the unthinkable happened and Carmelo Anthony actually started passing more as his scoring decreased, averaging a career-high 4.2 assists a night.
However, all this wasn’t enough. Derek Fisher still had that embarrassing feud or “fight” with Matt Barnes and was fired for his showing as head coach, the triangle still isn’t working very well, and ranking 18th in defensive efficiency won’t be enough.
The Knicks’ 2015-16 season should have been better, but with the potential of Porzingis and a better performance than the 17-win 2014-15, they at least don’t deserve a complete fail. Kurt Rambis possibly continuing as head coach and Melo’s discontent and age leave questions at the forefront of the organization that won’t go away after the summer, though.
On top of that, the few wins they put together won’t be enough to solidify New York as a big market with talent for star free agents.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks