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Knicks Case Study

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Derrick Rose proclaimed that the New York Knicks would be a super team. Doubling down on that statement a month later. But this was all preseason hype. A new employee in a new city, looking to show how much he believed in his new team and teammates. As a Knick fan, I was excited to see that kind of boastfulness coming from a NY Knicks point-guard but I was also highly skeptical. So, after 20% of the season logged, where do the Knicks and Rose's prediction stand?

After a tough road loss to the Hornets on Saturday night and a tough loss at home to the Russell Westbrooks on Monday, the Knicks stand at 8-9 before heading into a home and home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Currently, third in the Atlantic division, three games behind the first place Toronto …show more content…

They're middle of the pack in other categories but this assessment is more of an eye test. Rose and Melo have never been known as defensive players but they are trying. They have picked up their intensity on the defensive end. Courtney Lee and Noah add some energy and decent defensive skills that add to the overall team D which can be contagious. There have been stretches during games where they feed off of each other's energy on the defensive end, which translates into positive offensive positions. They are playing with a sense of urgency that I haven't seen in awhile.

4) Brandon Jennings - Having a legit starting PG is crucial to being competitive in the NBA but having a legit backup PG can lead to success into the playoffs. (Ask the Warriors). Brandon Jennings has been the heart of this team. Every time he comes off the bench the energy and flow of game changes immediately. Coach Hornacek needs to find better combinations of players to have on the floor with Jennings. He constantly wants to push the pace, which is a great change from the slow it down game that Melo and Rose want to

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