Derrick Rose is understandably hyped with the New York Knicks which he ranks alongside the Golden State Warriors. With a souped up lineup the outlook does seem promising.
Rose may have done better to compare his team to a club outside the Golden State Warriors. The dethroned champs have their core intact, made even deadlier with the acquisition of Kevin Durant.
Placing both teams side-by-side, critics have now taken shots at the former NBA MVP and see a big gap on how the Knicks can be placed alongside the Warriors. They do have the talent but each player’s history is in question.
In fact, Rose leads that pack. He has questionable knees and his health has hardly been impressive during his final years with the Chicago Bulls. With the Knicks, many are anxious at how he will hold up, NBA.com reported.
The same holds true for some of his teammates. Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah and Brandon Jennings have their share of being bitten by the injury bug though they are proven stars and veterans.
Against the Warriors, the Knicks could be formidable sans the injury angle. Hence, a safer way to look at his new club is that it has improved immensely, USA Today reported.
Regardless, Rose is given the benefit of the doubt. There is no question that he is upbeat and wants to start anew. From a promising player, injuries derailed his flight to the top. With the Knicks, he gets a chance to prove critics wrong.
Rose fills a big hole that the Knicks have been aching to plug since last year. The point guard position was the missing link to the team’s campaign and the veteran fills that void perfectly.
On paper, the Knicks do look formidable. But the fact that each of them have been prone to injuries leave a slight area of questioning.
Playing time management is likely to be the key to keep the players healthy. Most teams (including the Warriors are doing it so new head coach Jeff Hornacek may want to follow the practice.
But the first order of business is seeing the Knicks make the playoffs. With a vastly improved lineup, it may all depend on the health of Rose and his teammates for the 2016-17 NBA wars.
The video below weighs in on Derrick Rose' comments of branding the New York Knicks as a 'super team'.