Grading Every New York Knicks Player Heading into NBA's Stretch Run

The red pen of doom is eager to slash a bloody F onto the report cards of New York Knicks owner James Dolan and president Phil Jackson. The coaching staff, too, ekes out an inky D for guiding its squad to an 8-14 record since the last time I issued grades.

As for those men wearing jerseys, it's tempting to fail all 15. However, if this season has proven anything, it's the value of sound bodies, supportive management and systems built around (not forced upon) players—the Knicks have been short on all three.

So the red pen will be just a bit gentler to the players, who have lost eight games by just one possession this season. 

As a refresher, here's how my grading system works: It's a split between usage (up to 30 points), expectations (up to 30), defense (up to 20) and offense (up to 20). 

Thus, a rotation player who simply does his job earns a C, while a starter who does his job gets a B. Reserves who've played 150 or fewer minutes total are only given pass/fail assessments. Starters get the extra points for usage but are graded harder on expectations. Defense and offense measure their contributions to the team, not what their contributions "should" be according to public opinion. No one loses points for missed games due to injuries, but season-ending injuries result in "incompletes."

The final grade is an average of both their recent work and their original grade.

15-11: Incompletes and Check-Minuses

Brandon Jennings

As a healthy backup veteran point guard on a teeny-tiny expiring contract, Brandon Jennings was a perfect midseason trade asset. Yet instead of seeking a swap for Jennings, the Knicks waived him Monday, leaving him free to sign with the Washington Wizards Wednesday, per the Associated Press. Apparently it was a mutual decision, since Jennings wanted to move onto a real contender, a source told The Undefeated's Marc Spears (h/t ESPN.com).

Knicks management sure chose a funny time to start caring about a player's feelings.

Jennings was an inconsistent scorer in New York, yet he could always be relied upon to bring energy, push the pace and distribute the rock. His Madison Square Garden highlight reel will include some truly electric moments.

Final Grade: Incomplete C+

Joakim Noah

Monday, the Knicks also announced Joakim Noah would undergo arthroscopic left knee surgery and be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. Therefore, Noah, who hasn't played since Feb. 4 because of a hamstring injury, may be out for the rest of the season if the Knicks don't find a way into the playoffs.

Noah's body has betrayed him all year. He started the season slow, looked wonderful from mid-December to mid-January—going to the hoop aggressively, ripping down boards and turning opponents away at the rim—then was forced to dial down the volume again when his shoulder showed signs of strain.

Noah's non-stop screen-setting and eager rebounding was an asset, but his beaten-up body has kept him beneath expectations thus far.

(Final?) Grade: Incomplete C

Chasson Randle

Chasson Randle saw his first action in garbage time Wednesday when Knicks fans in Orlando began chanting his name. Although the only addition he made to the stat line during his two minutes was one personal foul, it could still be called a success.

Randle averaged 5.4 points and 46 percent shooting during his games with the 76ers this year, and the Knicks are hoping to bring him back to his rip-roaring preseason form with New York.

Grade: Pass

Marshall Plumlee

Marshall Plumlee is struggling to get minutes on a roster overloaded with centers. He has, however, sneaked into five matchups since the last time grades came out, including a fine showing Jan. 18 during a win over the Boston Celtics. The hack-prone Plumlee did use all five of his fouls over 20 minutes, but he also made a case for more by logging five points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks. 

Grade: Pass (unchanged)

Maurice Ndour

Another player still unable to get playing time, Maurice Ndour probably merits some extra looks. He is always active during his rare opportunities: logging two steals, two points, one rebound in just seven minutes Jan. 15 versus the Toronto Raptors, then seven points, two rebounds in eight minutes Jan. 31 versus the Washington Wizards.

Grade: Pass (unchanged)

Sasha Vujacic

Unlike many Knicks fans, I never worry when Sasha Vujacic's name is called. He has energy and veteran poise, distributes and defends adequately and can sink a three-pointer. His name hasn't been called much lately, though, playing only seven games in the past six weeks and averaging 5.5 minutes during that time. 

Grade: Pass (down from C) 

C Students

Lance Thomas

Early in the season, when Lance Thomas was suffering from acute plantar fasciitis, his performance was dreadful. He dragged down the entire team every time he stepped on the court. Recently, the return of a healthy Thomas has provided the exact opposite.

The spacing is sharper, and the defense is more aggressive. When one player is out of position, Thomas instinctively repairs the spacing and fills the hole. He makes the extra passes and screens that make execution smoother. He hasn't yet redeemed himself fully, but the Knicks' victories this week show he's well on his way.      

Grade: C (up from C-)

Mindaugas Kuzminskas

In early January, Mindaugas Kuzminskas had finally begun to couple his sparkling shooting with some improved defensive rebounding and ball denial. More recently, it isn't Kuz's weak D, but his wobbly stroke that's keeping him off the court. Through seven games in February, Cheese averaged only 32.4 percent from the field and...prepare yourself...15.4 percent from long range.

Grade: C (down from C+)

Ron Baker

Nobody who witnessed it will forget Ron Baker's fourth-quarter leadership during the Knicks' comeback win over the Milwaukee Bucks Jan. 6. He's had moderate success since then, certainly proving himself to be a smart distributor, energetic defender and playmaker who deserves a job in the NBA.

Baker will see more playing time with Jennings moving to Washington. He's already showing off a few flashy maneuvers, like a backward bounce pass to Kyle O'Quinn for a dunk Wednesday night versus the Magic.

Grade: C (down from C+)

Justin Holiday

Justin Holiday is known for being a three-and-D man, but he makes the Knicks more resilient when he uses his crafty interior game too. Holiday showed a flash of it Monday versus the Toronto Raptors, dodging both Serge Ibaka and Cory Joseph to drive down the lane and sink the and-one hook.

He's quietly averaging 7.8 points over the past six weeks and has a knack for scoring precisely at the moment when the Knicks need a bucket most. Holiday's a guy who can shift momentum back in the right direction.

Grade: C+ (up from C)

Kyle O'Quinn

The slippage of Kyle O'Quinn is largely due to the rise of Willy Hernangomez.

However, KO also has to take responsibility for the fact he gets himself in early foul trouble—usually when faster opponents are sliding down the baseline—and has a tendency to turn the ball over because he rarely expects to receive passes.

Nevertheless, O'Quinn is a great asset to this squad and probably needs more minutes in order to get into a rhythm. He has energy, the rebounding skill and a passing ability the Knicks always need.

Grade: C+ (down from B)

Kristaps Porzingis

Kristaps Porzingis was dreadful (for him) in January. Hampered by both illness and injury, he had the worst plus/minus and field goal percentage of the Knicks' starting five, more turnovers than assists and fouled out of four of the 10 games he played.

Yet, he was vastly improved in February and kicked off March with a feisty 20-point, nine-board showing during Wednesday's win over the Orlando Magic. 

Although Porzingis has been in frustrating foul trouble throughout the season, he has also been showing more signs of developing his defense. Since the last time we gave grades, he's contested more shots per game than anyone in the league and averaged seventh in blocks. 

One place KP really could improve: screen-setting (an area he hardly registers on the leaderboards). If he adds that to his repertoire, the Knicks could help Porzingis help himself by running more of the pick-and-pop—a perfect system for a big with a gorgeous jumper. 

Grade: B- (down from B+)

Derrick Rose

The main criticism of Derrick Rose running the point is that he is not a great distributor. He only averages 4.4 assists per game, which ranks way down at 48th in the league. Yet, the problem isn't necessarily that the Knicks don't move the ball—they're second in touches and third in passes—it's that they don't move it effectively.

Maybe the Knicks are misusing their starting point guard.

Rose is a powerful and quick driver. Why then are the Knicks having him play hot potato around the perimeter, instead of creating through driving and dishing?  

During Wednesday night's win over the Orlando Magic—with Porzingis at center, Carmelo Anthony at power forward and Lance Thomas at the 3 spot—Rose did more driving and the offense flowed more freely. Five different Knicks scored in double digits, including Rose, who logged 19 points, four assists, seven rebounds and one steal.

Rose's long ball is a paltry 22.8 percent right now, but he's shooting more efficiently from the field (46.3) than he has since before his MVP season.

Grade: B- (Down from B)

Carmelo Anthony

Who sunk the game-winner to clinch the victory over the Philadelphia 76ers Saturday? Carmelo Anthony.

Who missed the game-winner that would have clinched victory over the Toronto Raptors Monday? Carmelo Anthony.

One-point win or one-point loss, it always comes down to Melo.

Unfortunately, while he's eighth in the league in points during the past six weeks, he's been 39th in fourth-quarter scoring. The last shot of the game might be a good time to rely on Melo, but the 11 minutes or so leading up to it aren't so hot. 

Nevertheless, Anthony has typically been more reliable than any other Knick. Despite the relentless public trade rumors and badgering from his own team president, he averaged over 25 points per game and 45 percent shooting efficiency throughout January and February. 

Grade: B (unchanged)

Willy Hernangomez

If there's any silver lining to Joakim Noah's injuries, it's that they gave more playing time to rookie center Willy Hernangomez. 

Both the Knicks and Hernangomez alike are benefiting from the extra minutes, because the rookie is proving to be a fast learner. The mistakes that were so common early in the season—moving screens, travels, goaltending, late rolls to defend the baseline, reach-in fouls—are appearing less and less often.

He's also developing as a rebounder, learning not just where his spots are, but how to fight for them. Over the past six weeks, Hernangomez is averaging 9.4 boards per game, including 6.1 on the defensive end—where his team needs them most. 

Hernangomez was always an effective and graceful scorer in the post. Now he's dodged and danced his way to an average of 9.6 points per game in the past six weeks while logging five double-doubles during the past two months—three of which contributed to recent wins over the Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics.

His grade for the season might not be an A yet, but if he racks up the starts and uses them like he has, he'll be nearing the head of the class by April.

Grade: B (up from C)

Courtney Lee

Courtney Lee has been a solid performer all season, but he's showing off more of his repertoire lately. Crafty footwork, sidesteps, fallaways and shooting off the dribble have led to three double-digit scoring performances in the past three games, including a 25-point, five-assist spree versus the Cleveland Cavaliers Feb. 23.

Lee is showing why the Knicks should put the ball in his hands more often, instead of just asking him to sink high-pressure threes late in games.

Granted, it was particularly bad form when Lee started to lose his laser-accurate stroke from downtown. Luckily, his long ball is recovering, and he's shooting 43.2 percent over the past six weeks. 

Defensively, Lee particularly looks more comfortable since Lance Thomas has returned to "credible NBA player" status. Sharing the floor with another, bigger utility defender who can see and fill the empty space makes it easier for Lee to focus on chasing guards.

Grade: B (up from C+)

All stats from NBA.com unless noted.