The New York Knicks went on a spending spree this offseason, diving into the deep end of a talented second-tier of free agents after not being “cool” enough to appeal to the likes of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Brooklyn is the hip part of New York City now, or instead, their front-office is just capable. The Knicks have struggled in recent years, there’s no question bout that, but are looking to turn a new leaf with their signings. Julius Randle and Marcus Morris headline the group of misfit toys, but some might say the veterans will only hurt the development of the Knicks’ youth.
I say the Knicks are trying to win, if not for the fans, then for the sake of head coach David Fizdale’s job. Ultimately, injecting competition into a group of young players is a positive thing. These players are built to respond to adversity and change, which is why they’re now featuring at the NBA level.
New York Knicks: Is Marcus Morris helping Kevin Knox or hurting him?
Knox, who had a historically bad rookie season, averaged 12.8 points, 1.1 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game on his way to a 17-win campaign in 2018. He’s looking to elevate his game and increase his production in the form of scoring, and his bulkiness might indicate and improvement. One of the biggest hurdles for any young player his size and strength, two things Knox lacked in his first professional season.
This year, he has more muscle mass, which will give him the confidence to attack the rim with the more gusto. However, his playing time could be sliced in half by Marcus Morris, a player no a one-year deal with the Knicks.
After being asked about the reality of coming off the bench, Knox stated:
“I just got to bring that spark off the bench if that happens,” Knox said after the Knicks’ practice on Monday. “Come off, bring energy — those championship teams, that second team is always really good. You’ve got players that go out there, bring energy, keep the level up.”
Knox hauled in seven rebounds and 12 points against the Washington Wizards in the Knicks’ first preseason game of the season – a win. He missed the next game in which they lost due to a strained right calf. Being healthy is the priority for Knox if he wishes to see regular action, but he is embracing the fact that he may have to come off the bench in a less than ideal role. That’s part of growing, though, and it will help him find his groove going up against a far more savvy veteran.