The New York Knicks have built a solid foundation, packed full of youth and veteran leadership. This offseason has been used to focus on providing experience and guidance for the younger players, and it will surely pay off down the road.
However, plenty of deficiencies remain on the roster, and they won’t disappear come the regular season. In this piece, we will be taking a look at the most overrated and underrated player on the team.
1.) Overrated
There is a ton of talent on the Knicks, but none are as specific as Allonzo Trier. The offensive-minded player is generally only useful in that facet, as he lacks the size and strength to be a quality defender. Also, he’s incredibly selfish on the floor. He rarely passes, averaging just 1.9 assists per game over 22.8 minutes played. Even James Harden, one of the most selfish payers in the game, averaged 7.5 assists per game last season (36.8 minutes per). I know, it’s a bit ludicrous to compare Harden and Trier.
That’s not to say he doesn’t make an impact, as he surely does with his high intensity and speed moving down the floor. The issue is generally his strengths and his insistence on relying on isolation moves and holding onto the ball for way too long. He must prioritize passing and moving the ball to create open shots instead of heaving up contested shots in hopes of a splash.
Some might mention his .394 percentage from three-point land — taking just 2.1 attempts per game attests to the small sample size this number comes from. This season could prove he has developed into a more patient player with a focus on moving the ball and not overdribbling. He’s overrated at this time because of his diversity; however, there’s plenty of time for him to grow into a quality all-around player. He has certainly earned his opportunity in the NBA.
2.) Underrated
Damyean Dotson. The third-year player had a secretly solid season in 2018, one that was overshadowed by the Knicks’ struggles. He averaged 10.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game over 27.5 minutes.
What I like the most about Dotson is his versatility and ability to act as a utility player for the Knicks. He can serve multiple purposes and has a decent three-ball, hitting on .368 percent of shots from down-town (4.7 per game).
Going into his veteran(ship) season, Damyean is primed for a breakout campaign. The development and growth will finally catch up to him in 2019-20, allowing him to make more of an impact. Defensively, Dotson has massive upside, stripping away 58 steals last season after recording just 12 in his rookie campaign.
Very good defending by Damyean Dotson and the Knicks team defense on Giannis to send this Bucks game to OT at 124-124. pic.twitter.com/b2BKXhCogJ
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) December 2, 2018
The 24-year-old is a persistent player who acts quickly on his instinctual feelings. If his offensive production can continue to increase, he could be an impact player for the Knicks moving forward.
LEAVE YOUR MOST OVERRATED AND UNDERRATED PLAYER IN THE COMMENTS!Â