Mario Hezonja has started the last three games at point guard. Two were double-digit losses to playoff teams, and one was a feel-good win on the heels of having clinched the league’s best ping-pong odds. The season has long been over. There are no healthy point guards left on the roster. Hezonja has a habit of playing during meaningless springs.

I’m aware of all of this.

About a month ago when I was being unreasonably optimistic about the Knicks’ young talent, mentioning Hezonja never occurred to me. He hadn’t done much, save a dunk and step over the league’s MVP runner-up. I assumed he’d get that last paycheck from the guy who drafted him and find a new temporary home come July. I even gave Mudiay some love 3I mean, it’s possible he could be good one day, right?  Right?, but Mario? Nothing.

I was wrong. He’s shown me enough in this new emergency role that I am now convinced he should be re-signed. Let Mudiay walk. Trade Dennis Smith, Jr. (whose potential I still believe in). Move forward with Frank’s conversion, I guess.

Mario Hezonja is the backup point guard of the future.

Now before I go further, a warning: if you are superstitious, you might want to think twice about reading on. I am operating under the assumption that KD and Kyrie are coming. There is too much smoke to ignore.

And if there is no fire – if come July 1st we are preparing for another lost season – feel free to blame this jinx.

It’s not the averages – 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists over his last three – that led me to this conclusion. It’s not any particular highlight, whether a lob to Knox or a taunt after a big jumper. It’s simple, really: his skill set is perfect for what Fiz wants to do.

The starting “point guard” in Miami during the Big 3 Era was Mario Chalmers. That Mario rarely initiated offense. LeBron and D-Wade created, and Chalmers just played defense and stuck his open jumpers. But when called upon to play with reserves, he had the skills to slide back to a normal point guard’s role.

This Mario could be the 6’8 version of that Mario.

If Fizdale is serious about positionless-ness, this is the most logical move. Leading the reserves, Hezonja would be a mismatch every night. His combination of size and athleticism would cause problems for the opposition and help make up for some of his deficiencies on either end. He plays with pace, he’s unselfish, he moves and cuts when he doesn’t have the ball, he’s a capable shooter, and at the very least he’s active defensively2He’s tied for 4th-best DRtg on the team, not that that’s saying much….

And THEN, he can fit in seamlessly with the stars / starters when called upon. You want to play small-ball around Mitch?  Slide Mario in next to KD for interchangeable forwards. KD’s resting? Plug Mario in and let him play off of Kyrie. Irving’s injured and KD’s taken up primary ball-handling responsibility? Let him play off KD. Fiz wants to go BIG, or Dotson’s having a bad game? Mario can play the 2.

When you look at the situation off the court, his fit makes even more sense. The Knicks’ have no money after shelling out their maxes. Strapped for cash, why not re-sign a guy that can fill multiple voids, that can be your backup 1-4 depending on matchups and injuries? It’s this sort of flexibility that makes him more appealing than anyone else, especially when you consider his personality and potential price tag.

Listen. it’s indisputable that he did not have a good year. He came nowhere close to what optimists expected. He was jerked in an out of the lineup and often balanced flashes of brilliance with, to put it harshly, flashes of idiocy. But:

He’s been an awesome teammate.

He took the DNPs in stride.

He’s selfless, or at least pretends really well (either is fine with me).

And he LOVES being a Knick and being in New York (So did Enes, but this feels more genuine).3Via the Post: “If he gives me that call on July 1, we’re done. My second family is in this organization. Steve [Mills] was the guy that first called me when Phil Jackson was here. Scott Perry drafted me [in Orlando]. Fiz came to LA to bring me here. Coach Smarty [Keith Smart], he’s like my second father. So just wonderful relationships with everybody in the organization. The city embraced me. I just love playing here. We all know where I want to be.’’

In fact, I’m beginning to wonder if Mario’s weird season was by design. It’s worth contemplating: with the revolving door at point guard and Fiz’s previously stated desire to go positionless, why did this take until April? If it’s really just a happy accident, the entire staff should be fired immediately, but I don’t believe they’re that incompetent.

Here’s my theory: members of the front office and staff have pre-existing relationships with him. They did him a favor by signing him for more than he was probably worth. They rebuffed suitors despite all logic and common sense suggesting they should have absolutely traded him. Have they been hiding him? Did they have an inkling he was capable of this? Do they have information – the same sort of information that justifies a KP deal and allows Dolan to be super-confident on the radio – that he’s willing to take a significant discount to return?

Assuming the Exception is earmarked for Jordan, a minimum offer would be something like 2 years, $3.5M. Does he love Scott Perry and NY enough to accept that?

I get the sense the answer to many of those questions is YES. I think, no matter what happens with the roster this summer, you will see him back next year. If they strike out on the big fish, why not? If they snag KD and Kyrie, see above. If they end up trading the rest of the young core to add AD to a Big 3, see above x 10. He fits and fits well in every scenario.

You may see this article as reactionary, idealistic, delusional. I get that. I respect that opinion. But know that this isn’t just me falling in love with a three-game statistical outburst. I’m thinking about the skills. I’m thinking about the natural ability. I’m thinking about what that ability looks like with another year of maturity and the best teammates he’s every played with. I’m also thinking about the riots in NYC if Mudiay returns instead, about the assets that DSJ could fetch if moved, about the other alternatives once the money dries up.

I wouldn’t have thought this a month ago, or even a week ago, but now it makes sense.

I guess these games aren’t so meaningless after all.

With only 14 games left, we can enjoy (or tolerate) this final stretch focused on what was supposed to be our top priority all year long: YOUTH.

The 61 days between now and May 14th will feel like years. Losses will be ugly and abundant. Guys we’re counting on to be cornerstones for the future will look horrible at times. But that’s to be expected.  With only three guys 25 or older, this stretch is about seeing what we have and projecting what they may become.

Part I of this series focused on Frank Ntilikina.
Part II focused on Mitchell Robinson.
Part III focused on Dennis Smith, Jr.
Part IV touches upon EVERYONE ELSE – Knox, Dotson, Trier, and more…

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KEVIN KNOX: 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1 assist, 36.2% FG, 33.8% 3

What should we make of him?  Will he ever be more than a role player?

If you asked me in November, I would’ve cried.  If you asked me in December, I would’ve offered a resounding YES. But you’re asking me now, so my answer is I have no idea.  

A good stat: Knox is one of only 143 rookies since 1979 (out of well over 2,000 draftees) to average at least 12 points and 4 rebounds per game.

Out of those 143, only 12 were teenagers. The rest of that 12 4 Kobe’s not on it. Neither is Giannis. features guys like LeBron, KD, AD, ‘Melo, and some of the best young players in today’s game (Tatum, Doncic, etc.).

A not-so-good stat: Of those 143 rookies, Knox is far and away the least efficient. He’s 33 percentage points worse than the 142nd-ranked player (Donyell Marshall).

The numbers I understand – basic stats – have fallen off a cliff, and the numbers I don’t understand rate him among the worst players in the League. Needless to say, it’s been a rough year for the #9 overall pick.

Yet when trying to project his and his teammates’ futures, context matters. For example: the Knicks don’t care about wins and have maybe three adequate-or-better defenders on the entire roster, so of course Knox’s defensive stats are going to be atrocious. Hell, Lance Thomas gets run solely because of defense, and his Defensive Rating is only a point better.

The other thing is that Kevin Knox, in case you haven’t heard, is 19. Kevin Knox is the 3rd-youngest player in the NBA. Kevin Knox is going to get better at everything.

So…prediction?

I have no idea. The whole point of this series is, we don’t know what anyone WILL be.

But he CAN be much, much better. With smooth form on his jumper, an underrated ability to get by his man, and an already lethal signature shot (floater), why can’t he become the sort of offensive weapon that contributes to real winning? Why not a 3rd or 4th scorer on a contender?

He has A LOT of work ahead of him, on his body first and foremost. Added strength will lead to greater efficiency as well as improved defense. He also needs to spend time in the film room to develop his court awareness, particularly in regards to recognizing open teammates. He should average 2-3 assists per game by accident.

And when he gets better – when he gets stronger and the game slows down and the situation around him becomes more competent – he will look like a different player, one that can become an All-Star. You roll your eyes, but Giannis struggled as a rookie, too. Jimmy Butler averaged 2.6 PPG on 18% from 3…and he was 23 years old.

If you’re already certain Knox is a disappointment, and you’re basing that conclusion off of a rookie year in which he was thrown into the fire as a top scoring option for the youngest and worst team in the NBA, then you’re missing the point and I can’t help you. 

When the Knicks return to glory and are sending three guys to the All-Star Game, Knox can absolutely be one of those three…2 Kyle Korver made it averaging 12 PPG. James Donaldson, BJ Armstrong, Brad Miller, Jamaal Magloire…shall I keep going?

…if he’s still on the team, that is. Rumor has it we give up on young guys who don’t thrive right away.  

ALLONZO TRIER: 10.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 45% FG, 40.5% 3

He’s been great…shouldn’t he be starting?

From Day 1, he fit the mold of instant offense off the bench, that conscience-less attacking mentality that you want in the ideal sixth man. In fact, in the 36-year history of the 6MOY Award, only four were NOT “score-first” players3 Aaron McKie, Bobby Jones, Bill Walton, and our own gone-too-soon Anthony Mason.”  

Trier looks like the other 32. He’s proven himself to be capable at all three levels, and when featured in a second unit, at times he seems unstoppable.

So despite improvements as a passer – the rapport he’s developed with Mitch has been beautiful – and as a defender, I’d like to see him perfect the 6th man role. Could he start? Certainly. But Fiz has said from the jump that he wants Zo to be himself; the best place for that is as the man off the bench. Besides: as the Knicks overhaul this roster, our studs – whoever they may be – will be best complemented by players who can score but dont need to.

Then when they rest, throw Iso Zo out there and turn him loose.

DAMYEAN DOTSON:  10.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 42% FG, 38.3% 3

What happens when his contract is up next summer?

Prior to the trade deadline, I wrote a piece suggesting the Knicks should move him. Nothing against Dot; I simply viewed him as the asset other teams would value most – a big 3-and-D wing with the physical gifts to switch and hold his own. I thought they could get at least a solid 2nd rounder and with only one year left, I figured why not.

Well, he survived the deadline, and unless a big deal goes down over the summer, he’ll be back for that final year. And then it’s time to make a decision. If Summer 2019 goes well, the Knicks will have spent A LOT of money, and if Dotson continues to build on his improved play, he will command A LOT more than his $1.6M salary.

Most good teams have a guy like this (or are looking for one to complete them…hence my trade proposal). The compliment I hear most often is that he could be our Danny Green. The numbers suggest it’s possible. Maybe even likely. Only time will tell if Dot can become that efficient, but Green also had the benefit of playing with the Spurs. Plug Dot in next to talent, and let’s see what happens.

If we hit the motherload in free agency, I’d take advantage of his Bird Rights and pay him. Every good team needs a guy like this.

(Or he could just become Jimmy Butler without the drama and we could play Knicks Vs. Everyone during All-Star Weekend)

I know, I know – they can’t ALL become stars. Frank can’t become a taller, leaner Kyle Lowry while Mitch becomes a better DJ while Knox becomes Tobias Harris 2.0 while Trier becomes a bigger Lou Williams while Dot becomes Jimmy Butler…listen, I get it. But I resolved to be more positive in 2019, so back the f*** off.

Now, where was I?

THE REST

Are they really going to consider bringing Mudiay back?

Yes, and it’s worth the consideration. Depending on what happens with other free agents. Depending how much other backup PGs will cost vs. how much Mudiay will cost. Depending how he performs these final 14 games.

Here’s the entire list of players in the modern era who have averaged at least 12.5 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds per game as rookies:

Mark Jackson, Tim Hardaway, Damon Stoudamire, Allen Iverson, Jason Williams, Steve Francis, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, Stephen Curry, John Wall, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Michael Carter-Williams, Dennis Smith Jr., Trae Young…and Emmanuel Mudiay.

He’s had an up-and-down year. He’s been horrible since returning from injury. He’s on pace to post the worst Assists per 36 of his career. But he’s made strides as a shooter – his TS% is .532, up from a previous best of .483 – and Fiz seems to love him. Having a coach that loves and believes in you gives you the best chance to reach your full potential. If Fiz is committed to developing him and sees potential to be significantly better than…this, then it’s at least worth the discussion as a Plan B or C.

Any chance Vonleh is back?

Doubtful. Unless we offer our exception (which I’d bet we have earmarked for a vet), we won’t be able to afford him. Which is why we should’ve moved him at the deadline.

Others worth keeping?

John Jenkins and Henry Ellenson both signed non-guaranteed deals that take them into next year. Jenkins has underwhelmed me, but Ellenson is intriguing. He’s listed at 6-11, 245, and in the 9 games he’s played this year, he’s averaged 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per 36 on 43.5% shooting from three. Tiny sample size, yes, but when you watch him play you can see the gifts.

These non-guaranteed contracts may be intended for use in summertime trades, but if Ellenson makes it to camp, I’d like to see him back as our 2020 Vonleh.  

I’d also like to see Kadeem Allen back and on the main roster full-time.  

Who wouldn’t want a Patrick Beverley-type coming off the bench? Kadeem really impressed in his time with the big squad, and his toughness and maturity would be a welcome addition to the roster.

Finally, you have to bring back Kornet. He lacks footspeed and struggles on D sometimes because of it, but overall he’s had a good year. Any inconsistencies in play can be traced directly to inconsistent playing time. In 13 games playing 20+ minutes, he’s averaged 12.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks on 42% from 3. That’s enough to warrant at least one more season. Brook Lopez, anyone?4Brook’s averaging 12.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 28.3 mpg for the Bucks, in case you were wondering.

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I, like you, am desperately looking forward to May and June. I’m tired of watching brick after brick, turnover after turnover, loss after gut-wrenching loss. But we’re almost there. Try to turn off that competitive part of your fandom, turn up your patience and understanding, and focus solely on what the future may hold and how these guys might fit into it. It’ll make these last 14 a lot more interesting and a lot less painful.

The trade deadline has come and gone, and the Knicks were MAJOR players. Now that the dust has settled – vets gone, cap space created, draft picks added – we can spend these last few months focused on what was supposed to be our top priority in the first place: YOUTH.

The three months between now and May 14th will feel like years. Losses will be ugly and abundant. Guys we’re counting on to be cornerstones for the future will look horrible at times. But that’s to be expected. With only two guys left over the age of 25, this stretch is about seeing what we have and projecting what they may become.

Part I of this series focused on Frank Ntilikina.  Part II focuses on the most hyped, most improved player on the roster – Mitchell Robinson.  

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Patience should work both ways, right?

We shouldn’t get too down on Frank when he struggles, so we also shouldn’t get too worked up over Mitch when he thrives. I know you don’t want me raining on your parade, but it’s only logical to stay even-keeled with raw talent.  We at Knicks Film School live by this code: never get too excited, one way or another…

You know what? F*** it. It’s been a horrific season, 90% of the press has been negative, the weather’s been sh***y like every other winter, so I’m hopping aboard the Mitch Hype Train, transferring to a ferry bound for Mitch Island, and hitting the beach with my rose-colored glasses to drink my Mitch Kool-Aid.   

[Takes sip]

[Takes another]

If you’ve watched him at all, you can’t deny he passes the eye test with flying colors. His gifts literally jump off the screen – the athleticism, the rim-running, the lob-catching, the shot-blocking, the uncanny ability to cover so much ground and close out effectively on jump shooters. It’s all obviously impressive, so you don’t need numbers to know that star potential is there. But just in case…

That’s right – Mitch compares favorably across the board with some of the best defensive-minded, rim-running bigs of recent years, a group that sports both All-NBA and All-Defensive selections, 2 Defensive Player of the Year awards, 3 Rebounding titles, 6 FG% titles, 2 Block titles, and 23 playoff appearances.

View from Mitch Island: Future DPOY and All-Star Mitchell Robinson will anchor a playoff-bound defense as soon as next year.

Oh, I’m getting ahead of myself? [Takes sip] FOH.

Seriously, how am I supposed to temper expectations? He’s suddenly staying out of foul trouble, has risen to 3rd in Blocks per Game despite playing only 18 MPG, is averaging 10.2 points (on 71.4 TS%) and 8.3 rebounds in February, and then his trainer goes and says he can be an “Anthony Davis-type player”?  

Now that’s unreasonable. Even drunk off this Mitch Juice, I’m not crazy enough to make that comp…

 

He’s a little bit behind AD in scoring, but it’s close enough – 9 Points Per 100 Possessions is the same gap between James Harden and Steph Curry this year.  

[Takes sip]

View from Mitch Island: If AD is to Harden as Mitch is to Steph, then that means…Mitch is a future unanimous MVP who’ll lead us to multiple titles!  

And look at the rest of these numbers: defensive impact is comparable, FG% gap is embarrassing for a certain disgruntled Pelican, and those O and D Ratings! Mitch must have gotten some really good coaching last year in college to be…wait, what? He didn’t play in college?

So you’re telling me that while Anthony Davis was molded at an NBA factory under Coach Cal prior to his rookie year, Mitch was just at home training by himself? And the numbers are this close?

View from Mitch Island: That wing at Springfield that @JCMacriNBA suggested? Won’t be enough. He’s gonna need his own free-standing, three-level museum.  

You doubters thought the All-Star break – and the fact that he was NOT selected to the Rising Stars game – might get us happy citizens of Rob City to calm down a little bit. Well, you were wrong:

All-Star BREAK? Not when you’re a potentially generational NBA center & the best big in your draft class.

He doesn’t post this stuff himself, but Knicks fans know Mitchell Robinson is always working 💯 @23savage____

(*a little 3-point shooting practice after workouts) pic.twitter.com/Gtvg2kwH9h

— Mayar Zokaei (@ZokaeiWorld) February 18, 2019

We saw him trying to perfect the J pre-draft.  We see the mechanics – not great, but good enough.  We’ve seen the stark rise in FT% to over 69% this month. And now we’ve been blessed with a clip of an effortless three?  

[Refills cup and chugs it]

[Refills again]

I’m trying to wrap my head around this: these former All-Star bigs came into the league with no semblance of a 3-point jump shot and over time developed range? You mean it’s possible for NBA players to add skills they don’t currently have through dedication and hard work? 

Mitch clearly works hard. His sudden significant improvement is evidence enough. If he gets anywhere close to league average…

[Pours Kool-Aid over self, bathing in it]  

View from Mitch Island: With the 36th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks selected Rudy Gobert meets Anthony Davis meets Steph Curry.  

He’s the pegasus…or was it unicorn?  He’s the unicorn everyone’s been talking about, right?

Jokes and hyperbole aside, he’s still super raw. Just like Frank, his future is impossible to project. But think about what your eyes tell you. Think about the improvement you’ve seen on both screen and paper. Think about the developmental paths all bigs mentioned above have taken.

It is entirely reasonable to think that Mitchell Robinson is the steal of the 2018 NBA Draft. It is entirely reasonable to think that surrounded by better players next year, he (and his numbers) will improve significantly. And it is entirely reasonable to think that Steve Mills and Scott Perry may have found a franchise cornerstone with that 36th pick.

View from Mitch Island: Forget reasonable. I’ll be reasonable in July. For now, someone just get me a refill.     

First, watch the beginning of the play above.

Then, imagine, instead of of a dinosaur, that’s a 7’3 Unicorn catching at the top of the key. Imagine him stepping into a 30-foot bomb and scoffing at his defender for giving him so much room. Imagine him pump-faking when his defender remembers, “Oh sh**, that’s not Kanter! This guy can shoot,” and closes out too hard. Imagine one dribble to the basket. Imagine a long, lean arm rising toward the clouds before hammering the ball through the rim.

Rewind.

Imagine this Unicorn does nothing extraordinary. Instead, simply imagine the impact of his presence. Imagine his defender, the opponent’s rim protector, fearing his range. Imagine the defense extending well beyond the arc rather than sitting in the circle. Imagine the extra space for cutters and drivers.

Imagine the Unicorn in the near corner. Imagine him moving to the mid-post, catching the entry, and turning to shoot an effortless fadeaway, uncontested despite his defender’s best contest. Imagine it off one foot like Dirk. Imagine it kissing the glass before falling through.

Rewind.  

Imagine he doesn’t shoot from the post. Imagine he engages Timmy in the dribble-handoff. Imagine the confusion when the defense can’t just sit on the roll. Imagine, instead, a fade to the three-point line for a quick flick of the wrist. Then imagine a few possessions later, the Knicks run the same action. Imagine the defense, fearing the three, anticipates the pop. Now imagine the roll. Imagine his long strides toward the rim. Imagine him leaping to catch the lob, handling it with such ease and grace that even road fans must applaud.    

Imagine the opportunities in transition. Imagine him setting the screen for Mudiay, drifting to the top of the key, catching and shooting. Or imagine he doesn’t get it. Is Thaddeus Young anywhere near Mudiay’s release? No. He’s blanketing the Unicorn, giving Emmanuel any number of easier options. Just imagine the impact of his gravitational pull, what it could do for everyone else on the floor.

Imagine him catching the inbound. Imagine him taking his man off the dribble – one bounce, maybe two – and drawing the foul. Or imagine he executes the handoff to Lee, and…they switch? Maybe this worked in the past, but not anymore. Not with this better, stronger Unicorn. Imagine a patient Lee pulling it out to exploit the mismatch. Imagine the mouse being walked into the post and dominated. Or imagine Lee inexplicably shooting it anyway. Missing. Yet you don’t scream at the television, because there it is – a vintage Unicorn tip-slam. Imagine his glare. I’m back, it says.  

Imagine the two-man game with Frank. Imagine the collective length of this duo, neither of whom can legally rent a car. Allow your mind to drift to the other end of the floor, even as the offensive possession continues, and imagine the devastating defensive impact they could have together.  

Not now. We’re still trying to score. Imagine the Unicorn fading, catching, and…well, you know the result. Or imagine, again, his gravity. Imagine his defender can’t thwart Frank’s baseline drive. Imagine his man must sprint toward the hash mark, full speed, everything he has. Imagine how different Frank’s life would be. Imagine how much easier it’d be to play with controlled aggression, to find room, to create off the dribble. Imagine Frank getting all the way to the rim. Imagine him flushing it with two hands.

Imagine the help coming from the baseline, with the Unicorn being blanketed out by Fizdale. Imagine Frank taking an extra dribble before throwing a dart to Knox in the corner. Imagine Knox rising up and releasing. Imagine the ball doing what it’s been doing for Knox lately.  

Imagine, now, the wing helping down to the corner. Imagine the extra pass to Lee.

Imagine a top-ranked defense playing helter-skelter, desperate to recover, but always one pass, one move, one step behind. Imagine the open jumpers. Imagine clogged lanes parting like some sort of biblical event. Imagine a frustrated timeout. Imagine a baffled opposing huddle. Imagine futile adjustments. Imagine increased continuity, percentages rising, teammates filling more suitable roles and young talent inching closer to potential fulfillment, all made possible by the return of a truly unique talent…

Sometime soon, you won’t have to imagine anymore. Sometime soon, this will be your reality.

Just imagine how you’ll feel then.

Mike DeStefano wraps up his four-part series on the main components that can help us evaluate how the Knicks are progressing in a season that won’t be evaluated in wins and losses. Read Part I here, Part II here, and Part III here. Read Part IV here. And now the final grades.

FINAL GRADES

Establishing Identity & Changing the Culture – A-

Leadership in Uniform – C

Leadership in Suits (F.O and Staff) – B+

Development of Individual Talent – B

OVERALL – B

You may disagree. You may see one component as more/less important than the others, but for an A, you have to do everything right. And we can all at least agree on this – there have been some growing pains, and there are going to be a lot more. Not every rebuild can be of the Stevens/Ainge miraculous variety, unless someone out there wants to be our Billy King. No takers? Okay, then let’s look at some of the obstacles the Knicks have faced, and let’s compare where the organization is with the NBA’s current gold standard for dominance (shout to @DaveEarly for the inspiration):

1. This is the first year together for the Mills / Perry / Fizdale triumvirate. Bob Myers and Mark Jackson came in together in 2011 and endured a 23-43 season.  
     
2. The Knicks are without their centerpiece. He hasn’t played since last February. The Warriors’ centerpiece, Steph Curry, only played in 26 of 66 games during that rebuild year.  
   
   
3. In the Knicks’ current 10-man rotation (11 if you include when Burke returns; Lee / Lance not included), only 4 were on the team at the start of last season. They’re all learning a new system, and they’re all trying to develop a basic chemistry with new teammates. Much like those 2011-12 Warriors, who only had 6 holdovers from the ever-so-brief Keith Smart era.    
   
   

I don’t remember what the outlook was for theWarriors by June 2012. Klay Thompson was a bright spot as a rookie, but Curry was banged up and regressing, and the roster was a mess. Impatient fans saw new leadership and the same old results. 

Then they drafted Harrison Barnes, Draymond Green, and Festus Ezeli, and they remained patient with their point guard of the future (who many at the time were unsure of), and the following season they won 47 games. Then 51. Then 67 and a title, and the rest is history.  Their build that started off with issues – like ours – ended with an A+++++++.

Knicks’ fans just want the A.  We can add pluses later. How can we just get to an A?  

Scott and Steve, keep working those phones.

Guys won’t be back, so get something for them while you can. In March 2012 (lockout season), the Warriors shipped Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh, and Kwame Brown to Milwaukee for Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson; Jax was then sent to the Spurs for TJ Ford (waived), Richard Jefferson, and the first-round pick that became Ezeli.  The Bogut/Ezeli tandem averaged 32 MPG at center during the 2015 playoffs en route to a title.

THJ, flaws and all, has value. Courtney Lee, when 100%, has 3-and-D value. For backup PG help, depending on your needs (scoring vs. well-rounded), look no further than Emmanuel Mudiay or Trey Burke. Plenty of teams could use a guy like Dotson (strong on both ends, affordable, under contract next year), and they should consider it if the price is right.

Making a deal or two is important to bring back assets, yes, but also to solve the problem below.

FIGURE OUT A ROTATION!

The loss to Cleveland was interesting as far as the rotation is concerned. On the plus, 33 minutes for Knox and 24 for Frank; the minus: 43 (!) for Tim, and 33 for Kanter. Here’s what I’d love to see the rest of the way.   

Player	MPG	Player	MPG
Hardaway Jr.	30	Mudiay	24
Ntilikina	26	Robinson	20
Knox	24	Trier	20
Vonleh	24	Hezonja	12
Dotson	24	Lee	12
Kanter	24	Burke*	0

The thought process here is:

Bring Tim’s minutes down. He should be capped at 34 – never 43! – and some games should be more like 26-28.  

Give Lee a quarter’s worth of run until he’s traded. Run him with the young guys – Ntilikina, Knox, Robinson -to provide leadership and defensive communication.  

Commit to the future – Ntilikina, Knox, Dotson – for at least half the game EVERY game. No exceptions. Ideally, Robinson would be up there, too, butI’m assuming his foul trouble will keep that average down.  

Bring Trier’s minutes down a touch. He’s got his new contract; now they have to figure out his role. Which shouldn’t take much figuring out, since it’s obvious he isNOT a point guard. Use him a little bit less while trying to develop that part of his game, and when he’s on the court (since we want him to be who he is), turn him loose. Twenty minutes of full-speed aggression. Play him next to Mudiay and THJ, and when shots aren’t falling, give him the ball and get out of the way.  

In a perfect world, Hezonja would be closer to 0 (or California), but if you’re going to play him, give him two six-minute spurts and play him everywhere from SG to PF.    

Keep the Summer Magic Alive.

Counting Mills’ time as Jackson’s right-hand man, this front office has done a nice job acquiring talent through (and then after) the draft. There are five nice home-grown pieces on the roster, all of whom could be part of the solution. Continue to add to that stable.

Contrary to popular belief, YOU DON’T NEED #1 TO DO THIS. Would I be happy if we won the lottery come May? Duh. But I won’t cry myself to sleep if the young guys play well enough to subtract some ping-pong balls. I’ll just settle for being the Warriors East.

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2009 – Stephen Curry (#7)
2010 – Ekpe Udoh (#6 – eventually traded for Bogut / Jax)

2011 – Klay Thompson (#11)

2012 – Barnes (#7), Ezeli (#30), Green (#35)

NO FIRST-ROUNDER FOR THREE YEARS

2015 – Kevon Looney (#30)

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You don’t need to root for the Knicks to suck. Root for them to play well, for the young guys to show signs, for them to even win some games, and then root for them to keep doing what they’re doing: hit in the mid-to-late lottery, the 2nd round, and the undrafted pool. Keep taking chances on young, unique talents in the top 10 (KP, Frank, Knox); keep hitting on 2^nd-rounders (Dot, Robinson, even Willy who fetched two future 2nds); keep the same vigilance after Pick 60 (Trier); and keep utilizing Westchester to find guys (Burke, Kornet).

It’s only been 28 games. The turnaround is in its infancy. Moves will be made, guys will get better, KP will come back, and then who knows? But everything outlined above is doable. An “A” grade is doable. And in a few years, it’ll be someone else tacking on the pluses when they write about how their team should rebuild like the Knicks.  

Mike DeStefano continues his four-part series on the main components that can help us evaluate how the Knicks are progressing in a season that won’t be evaluated in wins and losses. Read Part I here, Part II here, and Part III here. Let’s dive into Part IV.

PART IV:  Establishing Identity, Changing the Culture

When we talk about a franchise’s culture, or a team’s identity, what are we talking about?  

IDENTITY should be fairly easy to figure out, right?  Identity connects to style of play, maybe even system, as well as traits that players exhibit on the court. 

CULTURE is…more abstract.  More intangible. More coach speak-ish. Truth is, I’m not sure what it means.  But we can figure it out together.

Mills, Perry, and Fiz have talked about building / changing / developing identity and culture since May. How have the Knicks progressed? Are they on the right track?

To answer the big questions, we first have to ask some smaller ones.

What do the Knicks run?

My fellow Knicks Film Schoolers and I have been discussing this for a while now, and one of our contributors broke it down thoroughly here and elsewhere. But from my perspective, some recurring actions aside, there’s no true system (in the traditional sense). And maybe that’s okay. I honestly can’t decide how I feel about it.  Here’s an argument I had with myself recently:

Thought: The game is moving toward a more free-flowing style, so no big deal if there’s no defined system. We’re finally entering the 21st century!

Counter: Calm down. A system would help with player development, which is the team’s top priority. The game at the NBA level moves so fast that young guys often struggle with even the most basic things. An offense with clearly-defined parameters would make them more comfortable because they’d already (for the most part) know the answers to questions like:

• Where are my shots coming from?
• Where can I expect my driving lanes?
• What reads are available to me when I’m off the ball?
• Where’s my outlet if I get in trouble?
• When I do this, how will the defense react?  How will my teammates react?

This is particularly helpful because once they learn how to handle situations within the system, they can more easily recognize adjustments and make reads outside the system.

👂| KNICKS FILM SCHOOL POD@zjdiluzio joins @JCMacriNBA to quickly discuss last night’s loss in Boston, before diving into how Fizdale is putting his young team in a position to be successful through the offensive sets he is runninghttps://t.co/vGE1W8kuZf

— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) December 7, 2018

Counter: A system can also have the opposite effect on young players, especially if it’s rigid like our beloved Triangle. Complexity can be distracting – guys are too busy thinking about which way to run and which pass to make to actually play with any sort of instinct or improvisation.  

Counter: Watch your language. We don’t use the T-word around here. And while the overthinking point has merit, the pros of a system outweigh the cons. Beyond helping guys learn to see the game, it’d also help with: determent of hero-ball; fewer late-in-the-shot-clock Hot Potatoes; reduction of turnovers (we’re suddenly 19th in TOs); and increased calm and effectiveness in late-game situations.

Counter: Well, Fiz doesn’t seem like a system guy, and with better players- like KP and another guy with similar initials – a free-flowing offense with principles instead of rules will thrive. So I’ll deal with the current bouts of discontinuity and stagnation; hell, if they lead to Zion, I’ll welcome them with open arms.     

How do the Knicks want to play?

Another complex answer, though not one I needed to argue with myself about. It’s complex in that, the Knicks want to do a lot of things. I discussed a lot of these when I analyzed the F.O / Staff Leadership, but we’ll update the progress here, using the 10-game mark on November 4th as a starting point:

“I want to get up and down the court.”

On November 4th, the Knicks were 27th in Possessions per Game.  A month later, they’ve risen to 15th.

“I want to…attack the paint.”

November 4th, the Knicks were shooting 20.8 FTs per Game. By December 4th, that number was up to 24.6, good for 9th in the League at the time. Over the course of that month, their 3PA had also dropped, though slightly, from 30.6 to 29.2. Keeping the extra possessions (increased pace!) in mind, this would suggest a conscious effort to attack the paint.  

“I want to share the basketball.”

After 10 games, the Knicks were 29th in APG.  Over the next month, assists would dip to under 20 per, tied for worst in the League.  

“One-second hold. If you can’t get it done in one second, get off it.”

The Knicks have three guys – Burke, Trier, Mudiay – that hold for at least 4 seconds per touch. This is fairly standard. In analyzing the Eastern Conference, 6/15 teams have at least three players who hold the ball this long. The problem?  Three of those teams are bad (Knicks included), and the other three have stars like Kawhi, Kyrie, Lowry, and Simmons. Those are the guys who SHOULD have long touches. But Allonzo Trier should NOT be averaging more seconds per touch than those guys (he is),and Trey Burke should NOT be 7th in the entire Eastern Conference (above those guys and more).

“It’s a free-flowing, all-inclusive offense,an offense where everyone feels involved. Spacing is critical to it. Pace is critical to it. Ball movement is critical to it.” 

I wanted to use this quote because it’s all-encompassing and illustrates Fiz’s overall philosophy. But I also wanted to highlight the “where everyone feels involved” part.

WARNING: what follows is a theory based on general basketball experience and knowledge.                                                                                                             

Anyone who’s ever played pickup basketball has undoubtedly played with a chucker. Chuck shoots first three times down – sometimes without a single pass – and you immediately know you’re in for a long day. But you try to keep your head up, tell yourself, “I’ll do the other things.” You commit to locking up, and when you get rebounds, you push the ball and try to create opportunities for yourself and others. But still, by the tenth possession, Chuck’s shot eight times. You’re frustrated. Soon, the rest of your game suffers. You don’t even want to play anymore … and then he passes you the ball! You’re wide open. You load up, but the ball feels foreign in your hands. It’s a football. You lay a brick.

Could this be happening to Frank? Tony Parker thinks so:

Tony Parker on Ntilikina

“Frank is the type of player that needs a system + for guys to play together. In NY right now you have a lot of young guys who are trying to play one x one + try to show the coach they can play. He’s had a hard time to adjust to that”

via @TheFrankIsola

— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) December 10, 2018

The kid’s been molded to play the right way, force nothing, run an actual offense, and now he finds himself in lineups with guys whose first, second, and third priorities are to shoot. This could explain Knox’s inconsistency, too, but even if you consider this a reach, my eyes tell me that there are lengthy stretches of Knicks’ basketball where not everyone feels involved.   

“Defensively, I like to get up and pressure…”

On November 4th, the Knicks were 9th in Opp PPG and 7th in Forced Turnovers per game. Despite those strong numbers, they were only 25th in Opp FG% and 22nd in Opp 3PT%. Over the next month, they’d fall in every category: 26th in Opp PPG, 26th in Opp FG%, 26th in Opp 3PT%, and 18th in Forced TOPG.  

Many explanations:  quality of opponents improved, officials enforcing new points of emphasis differently, opponents making adjustments with more film to study, benching your best perimeter defenders for no apparent reason…either way, they are trending in the wrong direction.

Despite the defensive issues, overall I’d say they’re doing fairly well. One step at a time. Nothing happens overnight, and it was a near certainty that we wouldn’t see successful progress in every goal this soon in the season. But for me, hitting two goals before Game 30 is pretty good. We’ll revisit this at the All-Star break. 

Who do we like?

In other words, what kinds of players are the front office and staff into? The Spurs have a type. This year, the Lakers had a type (though that’s been met with mixed results). What’s the Knicks’ type? Many of these guys won’t be back next year, but it’s clear what Mills, Perry, and Fiz like. They want bigger, attacking guards, and they want versatility and flexibility in the frontcourt. They want switchability, interchangeability, positionless-ness. Fiz talked about that when he was hired, and we can see concrete evidence of this in both the development of Mudiay, Trier, and Vonleh as well as in the guys on the rise in Miami, the“culture” that made Fiz who he is.  

What are the team’s values?

At this point, a few rough showings aside, here’s what I believe we can expect from this team as far as intangibles are concerned:  

• They’ll never give up. The Nets were just the latest example of a second-half blowout that somehow became close in the final minutes. This team has no quit in them. And I’m talking up and down the roster. It’s not always the same unit leading the comeback. When the game gets into the fourth quarter, there will always be five guys ready to make a push, and Fiz has been adept at finding that right combination over and over again.

• They stay engaged. During every one of those runs mentioned above, the guys on the bench were the happiest people around. Against the Nets, THJ, the team leader (by default), found himself on the outside looking in. You watch those replays, and you’ll see a guy thrilled after every big bucket. The early-season Kanter issue aside, Fiz has his guys buying in even when they are not getting the minutes / roles they’d like.

• Fiz will always say the right thing. This is where people get that “salesman” stuff from, and while outsiders seem to use it to imply fakeness, having a guy that knows how to handle the media is crucial in this city.  He defends his players to the death. He is blunt with team criticisms and other explanations, but he will never play the sorts of mind-games in the media that Phil played so often. I thought he handled all the questions about Frank’s DNPs very well. 

• Communication is strong. Just like he is with the media, Fiz seems to be a great communicator with his players, and hopefully this will lead to great communication AMONGST his players. My favorite example of this openness thus far is how he handled Dotson’s DNPs. In Dot’s words: “For the most part, Coach is telling us he has a reason behind everything. So just as far as when I wasn’t playing the four games, he was steady talking to me, telling me we’ve got to get this rotation going right now, win a couple games. So I kind of understood it…Nobody is ever in the doghouse.”  Dotson came out of the DNPs on fire, so this quote is more than just lip service.  And Frank’s played well in his 36 minutes back from exile, so maybe there is a method to the madness?  I don’t agree with the DNP approach, but at least the players know what’s up.
  
  
• One Negative: Some of these things were discussed in my “Leadership” analysis, but the Knicks need to be very careful with contradictions. I don’t like that Fiz abandoned his one second rule for Trier – “That rule has gone out of the door for Zo” – because it sets a dangerous precedent. I don’t like that he benched Kanter, and then Kanter bitched, and then suddenly Enes was back starting. Did that come from the top? Is he forced to play the centerpiece of the first big trade of the new regime? I don’t like that Mario is back starting with no explanation. Is that more about Perry and his Orlando connections? It’s been a long, uphill battle as the Knicks finally approach respectability, but they will never get there if they become the sort of organization that makes exceptions and decisions for non-basketball reasons.  

VERDICT: Have we established an identity? Has the culture changed?

The identity is coming.  While they’ve headed in the wrong direction in some key areas, and while the system is still a work in progress, you’ve got to consider one important point: the on-court identity of this team long-term is tied to Kristaps Porzingis, who has not played a game under his new coach. Once KP is back, you will see more defined roles, a more sensible rotation, and more consistency and chemistry.  

The culture is in an even better place. All Knicks’ fans really want, besides world dominance, is a team thatplays hard and tough. A team we can be proud of, even when they lose. I was proud of those young guys in that Nets’ loss. I was proud when they beat the Bucks. From an effort and energy standpoint, I haven’t felt disappointed more than once or twice this year.  Everyone’s working, everyone looks like they’re having fun — New York again seems like a place free agents will want to come to.

GRADES:

Establishing Identity & Changing the Culture – A-

Leadership in Uniform – C

Leadership in Suits (F.O and Staff) – B+

Development of Individual Talent – B

Mike DeStefano continues his four-part series on the main components that can help us evaluate how the Knicks are progressing. Read Part I here. Let’s dive into Part II.

Part II – Leadership in Suits

The importance of this component goes without saying. Every organization that puts a good product on the floor has strong leaders in the front office and on the sideline. It’s why the Celtics most recent rebuild lasted exactly thirty seconds, and why the Sixers went from, “The NBA needs to do something about this” to “Sh**, the Atlantic Division is suddenly STACKED” in just a few short years.

As with any organization, it starts at the very top. Say what you want about James Dolan, but history shows that he’s willing to spend, and recent history suggests that he’s willing to stay the hell out of the way.

Beneath him, we’ve got the two-headed monster of Steve Mills and Scott Perry; beneath them, Fiz; beneath him, a top notch staff of assistants that includes four former NBA players and two guys with NBA head coaching experience.

This group from top-to-bottom is well-respected around the league and has done a nice job turning this team around in the most important ways:

1. The front office has stuck to its plan – they’ve held onto draft assets; they’ve taken calculated low risk chances on young talent (yielding multiple payoffs); and they are prepared to be opportunistic if the right deal presents itself.
2. Any team Pat Riley has ever been associated with plays hard. Fizdale’s impact on the Knicks in this regard has been nothing short of transformative. They come with heart and toughness every night. It’s been decades since we could say that.
3. Guys have bought in. This is more than just the heart and work ethic referenced above. Example: a couple of weeks ago, Emmanuel Mudiay took Trey Burke’s starting spot. Burke’s role in the rotation was precarious at best. Both of these guys are fighting to secure their futures in the League. Yet when Mudiay dunked on Garrett Temple’s face in Memphis, no one was happier than Trey Burke. Big deal – it’s because he’s back in the rotation and got the assist. Keep watching the clip. The guys who lost their minutes to the Mudi-Trey tandem? They’re going nuts on the bench. It takes a special type of leader to get competitors – guys fighting for minutes, reps, reputations, money – to support each other this much, so credit Fiz & Staff for doing a masterful job in this regard.

Mudiay “It’s been a minute”

Look at Trey Burke after the play pic.twitter.com/XOpMG318di

— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) November 26, 2018

So this component gets an A, right? Not quite.

First, I’m a hard grader. Deal with it.

Second, from the outside looking in, fans are seeing some mixed messages. Contradictions. These are the sorts of things that, if they persist and build (cue the melodrama), could erode a franchise from the top down:

“I want to get up and down the court.”  The Knicks are 19th in pace.  Last year they were 15^th, and the year before, playing in the archaic Triangle Offense, they were 17^th.

“I want to share the basketball.”  And, “I want to have an unselfish ballclub just like [the Knicks’ championship teams].”  These Knicks are dead last in assists per game, according to ESPN Stats and Info. And while assists, or lack thereof, aren’t necessarily indicative of selfishness, the dismal numbers combined with the amount of bad/forced shots taken on a regular basis would suggest they are not playing unselfishly.

“There’s not going to be anybody that dominates the ball for us … One-second hold.  If you can’t get it done in one second, get off it.”  Trey Burke is 16th in the entire NBA in average seconds per touch (according to NBA.com) at over 5 seconds per. Allonzo Trier is third among rookies who’ve played at least 15 games at almost 4.5.

“But none of that will start without us being a great defensive team.”  25th in Defensive Rating (worse than last year) and 24th in opponents’ PPG. To be fair, Fizdale also talked about being more aggressive defensively – more deflections, more steals. They are up in both steals and opponents’ turnovers per game.      

“Everything is about, ‘You keep what you kill.’”  In other words, minutes will be earned.  For the most part, leadership has enforced this.  Whoever’s playing the best will play.  But what did Dotson do to lose his spot to Hezonja, who’s been playing bad at best?  Is it something that’s happening at practice?  Were the Knicks low-key disciplining Dot for something?  Is it political?

“We’re not putting all our stock in wins and losses right now…”  This year is all about player development, right? RIGHT?

*Stats below are based on the 5-game stretch immediately prior to Detroit last night*

ELDER KNICKS	MPG	FUTURE KNICKS	MPG
Tim Hardaway Jr.	37	Mitchell Robinson	13
Enes Kanter	32	Kevin Knox	16
Trey Burke	27	Allonzo Trier	20
		Frank Ntilikina	21

We know numbers like these can be misleading. There are so many variables at play here. For example, Mitchell Robinson fouled out of a game in 9 minutes. He, alone, is the reason he didn’t more run that night.

But:

• Those ELDER KNICK MPG are significantly above their season averages. Two of them will not be on the team next year.
• Those FUTURE KNICK MPG are below season averages. All of them, assuming Trier signs a multiyear deal when he gets converted, will have guaranteed contracts next year.
• In the New Orleans and Memphis games, Kevin Knox played a TOTAL of 16 minutes. Frank Ntilikina played a TOTAL of 27. That’s 43 minutes combined. Over two games.
• Enes Kanter played 41 minutes by himself against Memphis.
• Damyean Dotson isn’t present in the chart above. As alluded to earlier, he hasn’t been in the lineup. Four consecutive DNPs prior to Detroit. He is also under contract next year.

Granted, I’m writing from an outsider’s perspective. I see what fans see. I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors. I hear the press conferences and read interviews; I pay close attention to the front office’s plans and the staff’s basketball philosophies; and then I look for it all to manifest in their actions.

Some things take time – we understand that – but some things should be evident immediately. The front office made a concerted effort to get younger – youngest in the league – and more athletic, so why are we still playing at such a slow pace? Every basketball player has the ability to pass the ball and move without it, to play unselfishly and keep the offense from stagnating, so why aren’t they doing it? These aren’t talent issues, so what’s the explanation? Why have the organization’s leaders said one thing only for the world to see another?

Whatever the reasons may be, the Knicks are in a good place regardless. For all my criticism, Mills, Perry, and Fiz have done a fine job thus far. Fans who think they’re f***ing everything up are blinded by their decades of Knick misery. Fans who think they’re infallible and have operated perfectly are blinded by premature excitement that we’re finally back on a path to contention. They’re not failing, but they still have work to do if they want that A.

Part 1: Leadership in Uniform – C

Leadership in Suits – B+

The big things are in place. Patience, eyes for talent, and the blossoming of a culture predicated on athleticism and a never-say-die attitude. Some might say I’m nit-picking with the criticism above, but if fans can see them, Kevin Durant can see them.  Other free agents can see them.

Hopefully, the staff is operating with enough transparency at practice, in film study, and on the sidelines that these contradictions don’t exist to the players. Dotson told Rebecca Haarlow yesterday that Fizdale had been very communicative about the DNPs, which is important. And all the players, even the ones struggling for PT, seem engaged and enthusiastic when they’re on the bench, so my guess is outsiders like me make a bigger deal out of this stuff than they do.

Michael DeStafano kicks off a four part series on the main components of “tanking” which is the word often used to describe the process of developing young players at the cost of winning.

There’s a right way to develop, or tank, and there’s a wrong way. In this four-part series, DeStafano will look at four main components that can help us evaluate how the Knicks are performing from a player development standpoint when wins and losses aren’t the best indicator.

Leadership in Uniform
Leadership in Suits
Development of Individual Talent
Development of Culture and Identity

This is Part 1

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Leadership in Uniform

Despite the recent 5-game skid and the fashion in which the team has lost, there’s actually been a lot to feel good about this year for Knicks’ fans: we’ve got young talent on the roster; the honeymoon in Golden State seems to be over; and Duke’s Big Three all look great.

We can feel good, despite the losses. We’re supposed to lose.

Right path = development

“It’s about, are these guys staying in the trench to get better every single day? That’s our focus. We know the win-loss category is going to change when we become a better basketball team. So we’re not putting all our stock in wins + losses right now” https://t.co/e1oTI0WEuZ

— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) November 20, 2018

But for all the positives – the rookies, Frank’s defense, Dot’s emergence, THJ’s step forward, Noah Vonleh’s awakening and Trey Burke’s recent re-resurrection – the bright future we want to believe is just around the corner is NOT a given.  There are real problems here, problems that could affect both the development of individual talent AND the ability to establish a culture that free agents will find attractive.

For me, it’s all about leadership. The problem right now is we have none.

Hardaway’s good at the emotional part, getting people fired up after big shots and clapping his hands to show he’s ready and excited to play defense. But leadership is also about demonstrating the right way to play, and let’s just say this isn’t one of Timmy’s strengths. Young guys are impressionable, and when they see their “leader” trying to perform beyond his capabilities, it can be contagious and result in bad habits.  We are already seeing this THJ Effect a little bit in Allonzo Trier’s recent shot selection.

Kanter seemed like a natural fit for this role six weeks ago. Then he lost his job. I won’t pile on, but tantrums on and off the court are not what we’re looking for.

Besides, both guys are in their mid-20s. No matter how hard they are willing to try, neither has the experience to be the sort of leader a roster this young needs.

The same can be said for Lance Thomas, despite his age. The problem with the lovable hustler as captain is that players don’t really buy it. They respect ability and production – what have you done in your career? – first and foremost. Lance has all the personality traits to be a good locker room presence, to offer enthusiasm and advice from the sideline or in practice, and to set a good example with his understanding of defensive principles, but the ideal leader for this youth is someone accomplished and capable (on both ends), someone with just the right blend of age, experience, and ability.

This is why the Knicks miss Courtney Lee so much.

Lee has been to the playoffs five times on four different teams. As a rookie, he started in the NBA Finals opposite of Kobe Bryant. He’s been in winning cultures, and he plays the right way. He doesn’t take bad shots. He works on defense. He does all the little things. He’s never been a star, but he knows his role and does that – and only that – to the best of his ability.

Courtney Lee (neck strain) started doing contact drills today. He's getting closer to a return to the court.

— Stefan Bondy (@SBondyNYDN) November 19, 2018

It’s not enough that he’s on the bench in a suit. These Knicks, particularly the ones that can’t legally consume alcohol, need him on the court in practice and games. Sure, he could affect winning – his presence could help them win a few games – but more importantly, he could show guys, with his voice and his example, how to be a true professional. He has the type of presence that would, I don’t know, keep teammates engaged enough to run the correct play out of a timeout, or eliminate on-court confrontations after failed rotations, or make guys think twice before playing hero ball. As someone who’s spent significant time as both a starter and reserve, he could help guys deal with demotions and crises of confidence.

Leadership doesn’t work the same when you’re in street clothes. These Knicks need his example on the court, in addition to any wisdom he may share on the bench and in practice.

This is Vince Carter’s role in ATL. It was Vince’s role, along with George Hill and Garrett Temple, last year in Sacramento (Fox and Hield this year? Those vets helped). It’s Dirk’s new role in Dallas.

The Knicks need at least one of these veteran leaders. This season is about development of both individual players and team culture. The players will learn, one way or another, in practice and through game reps (which is why the recent allocation of minutes is inexcusable), but the culture part requires more than playing, more than coaches saying, “This is how we want to play, and this is how you carry yourself.” It requires someone, like Lee, to show guys the way and call them out when they aren’t following.

He needs to be traded sometime soon. Ideally he would’ve played these first two months, helped this team establish its identity, and then vacated his minutes by December. But now, when you see the youth struggling, the sloppy, undisciplined product on the court, and the overall lack of a steadying presence, the better alternative is to get him back in the lineup and let him play into February.

Rumor has it he’s running again. That’s great news. This rebuild, if it’s going to be a short one, needs him running under the bright lights in orange and blue as soon as possible.

GRADES

Leadership in Uniform – C

Regarding Lee, it’s no one’s fault that he’s been hurt. But he’s the only veteran leader who can lead by example on the roster. Lance was never enough. Remember that year when we thought we’d turned the corner? The effect ‘Sheed, Camby, JKidd, and Kurt Thomas had? One or two of those type of players would help. The guy we sent home and then stretched could’ve helped, if not for all the drama.

There is still time for the Knicks to find the right balance between veteran leadership and developing the youth, but given the players on the roster, a lot rests on the return of Courtney Lee.