4 Players the New York Knicks Need to Step Up Next Season
Certain aspects of the New York Knicks' 2014-15 season are a given, like Carmelo Anthony scoring about two dozen points per game, Jose Calderon hitting three-pointers with accuracy or Iman Shumpert playing solid on-ball defense. Other things remain a complete mystery, especially regarding how the rotation will shake out around the new offense.
Each of the four players discussed below have locked up a roster spot for the year, though they project to be on the margins of the rotation. However, due to quirks in the depth chart, they can ingratiate themselves to the coaching staff and merit increased playing time through a variety of factors.
If these four can give effective minutes to head coach Derek Fisher, the Knicks will have a much more feasible scenario for playing postseason basketball in 2015 due to a balanced rotation.
Cole Aldrich, Center
Cole Aldrich offers considerable ability in one area where the Knicks remain sorely deficient: defense. In 2013-14, the Knicks ranked 24th in points allowed per 100 possessions, per NBA.com.
Since the New Orleans Hornets drafted him 11th overall in 2010, Aldrich has played in 135 NBA contests, averaging 7.7 minutes per game. He's well on his way to becoming fully fledged as a journeyman, but he may carve out a place in New York. Over 46 games for the Knicks last season, he averaged 3.3 blocks per 36 minutes.
Veteran Samuel Dalembert, 33, projects as the team's starting center, but he has not eclipsed 26 minutes per game since the 2007-08 season. In his last two seasons, he clocked 16.3 and 20.2 minutes per game.
Someone will have to pick up the slack, and Aldrich's shot-blocking makes him a better backup center than other subpar defensive options in Jason Smith, Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani—all of whom can shift to the 4 with their scoring abilities.
As a defender, Aldrich shows no fear when facing elite players:
B/R's Fred Katz wrote about one play in particular, where Aldrich blocked DeMarcus Cousins in March, displaying discipline in the paint underneath a pick:
"Cousins' feet leave the floor before Aldrich's, not only showing the Knicks center's ability to understand tendencies and fundamentals but also displaying an underrated athleticism, an ability to end his momentum as he gets to the restricted area and propel forward to stuff a dominant player at the rim.
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Aldrich's defense will justify his playing time as backup center, and there should be plenty of minutes going around with Dalembert starting.
Shane Larkin, Point Guard
The case against Larkin is fairly obvious. ESPN New York's Ohm Youngmisuk put it bluntly: "Shane Larkin, the other point guard that came in the [Tyson] Chandler trade, will have to prove himself in order to get minutes. Even then, he’s 5'11" so his size hurts defensively."
By the same token, Knicks rookie head coach and five-time champion as a player Derek Fisher stands at just 6'1".
Larkin turned in a strong showing through five games at the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 12.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.0 steals.
His play earned praise from Fisher, who stated per NBA.com: "I've always been impressed with Shane, even before getting the chance to coach him, and he was just great these last couple of weeks. ... In a lot of ways, he was our most stable and consistent performer."
Larkin had recently caught the eyes of scouts with strong play in the D-League last season for the Texas Legends.
Even if Larkin does not ultimately fit into the rotation for New York, he can increase his trade value by flashing that Summer League ability during the NBA season. Larkin's name already came up in offseason trade rumors shortly after the Knicks landed him.
Strapped as they are for draft picks or trade assets, the Knicks must maximize the potential of any and all bargaining chips. The only other point guards on the roster are Calderon and Pablo Prigioni.
The Knicks have hung onto Larkin for now, and they will look to get something out of the talented young guard, his compact stature notwithstanding.
Quincy Acy, Power Forward
The NBA credentials of Amar'e Stoudemire and Jason Smith have been established already, but the Knicks acquired another option at forward by trading guard Wayne Ellington to the Sacramento Kings. In return came Quincy Acy, a second-round draft pick for the Toronto Raptors in 2012.
Acy does not have much of an offensive game to speak of, but he brings a stout 6'7" frame to the frontcourt and can provide physical defense, plus strength on the boards. Acy gained a reputation for his large beard as a rookie, but his subtle value can be more difficult to discern.
He's never started in the NBA and averaged 12.9 minutes per game in two seasons.
Precisely that lack of playing time highlights his value when on court. For his career, he averages 8.7 points, 8.9 boards, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per 36 minutes, via Basketball-Reference. The Knicks would revel in that from a starting forward opposite Anthony.
Injury concerns abound in the frontcourt for the Knicks with Stoudemire and Smith, not to mention Andrea Bargnani recovering from an elbow injury.
If one or two among that group end up as walking wounded once again, Acy could be forced into increased action, and the offense could likely afford that compromise thanks to Carmelo Anthony and the team's stable of scoring guards.
Travis Outlaw, Small Forward
Once upon a time, from 2007 to 2009, Travis Outlaw efficiently averaged around 13 points per game for the Portland Trail Blazers for two entire seasons, playing 163 games in total. In each of the five seasons since, he shot worse than 42 percent from the field.
His scoring average has tumbled below six points per game during the last three seasons, partly owing to diminished playing time but mostly owing to the various injuries plaguing him for the past five years, including a broken foot and a broken hand.
To his credit, Outlaw—also part of the Ellington trade—possesses the veteran experience afforded by 11 seasons in the league, and he must bring that to bear in subbing for Carmelo Anthony when the call comes at small forward.
However, last season with Sacramento, the offense scored 3.9 more points per 100 possessions with Outlaw off the court, while the team's defense improved by only 1.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the court, per Basketball-Reference.
Outlaw will need to be a net positive in relief duty, or he will find his minutes pilfered by second-round rookie Cleanthony Early.
The Knicks lack depth at small forward, with a roster full of big-bodied power forwards and medium-bodied shooting guards. Acy lacks the quickness to play the 3 with regularity, with his body reminiscent of Ivan Johnson or Reggie Evans, so a lot is riding on Outlaw and Early.
Early's opportunity sits in front of him, but the team's margin for error is very thin for achieving goals like a playoff appearance. Early's inevitable rookie moments could render him unpalatable despite the high ceiling he showed with the 35-1 Wichita State Shockers last season (48.4 percent shooting, 16.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game).
If Outlaw encounters injury or ineffectiveness, that will leave the team with few reliable options at the position, outside of shifting Iman Shumpert to reserve small forward or starting three guards and playing Melo at the 4.
Whether or not Early plays well is gravy considering the team drafted him at No. 34, and many rookies take time to develop.
By contrast, playing on an expiring contract and beginning the regular season at age 30, Outlaw cannot waste any time in proving his continued worth as an NBA player.
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