5 reasons the New York Knicks are doomed

Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) congratulates point guard Derrick Rose (25) along with small forward Lance Thomas (42) and shooting guard Courtney Lee (5) during the fourth quarter against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden. Utah won 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) sits on the bench during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Derrick Rose can’t stay healthy

Depth is already a problem for the Knicks. But the point guard slot is particularly worrisome. Derrick Rose has a long history of injuries and he has proven himself unable to stay healthy for a significant stretch of games. Even when he is technically healthy, he misses games due to all manners of apparent discomfort and soreness. A team with a starting point guard who can’t stay on the court will have a very hard time building chemistry and staying competitive, especially when the backup option is Brandon Jennings.

Ironically, losing Derrick Rose might not be such a bad thing. He’s in the midst of one of his worst seasons as a pro, averaging 14 points and 4.8 assists while playing 31 minutes per game. For comparison, with the 2010-11 Bulls, Rose played only six more minutes per game and averaged 25 points and 7.7 assists per game. Rose is shooting an abysmal 25% from three-point range, and his Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is the second-lowest of his career.

It may be time to limit Rose’s minutes by bringing him off the bench behind Brandon Jennings. This would do two things: limit Roses’s chances of sustaining another severe injury, and give the Knicks a viable scoring option on the second unit. A starting five offense run by Brandon Jennings might be more suited to the Knicks’ style of play, anyway. Jennings is not as ball-dominant as Rose, and this pairs better with Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis. Meanwhile, Rose would have the freedom to come off the bench and create his own shot, with other role players playing more of a complementary role in the offense.

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