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ORLANDO — The broad strokes paint this Knicks season as an unmitigated disaster. Same can be concluded about the entire Phil Jackson tenure, a concoction of losing and ill-fated do-overs, each more mind-numbing than the last.The blunders and missteps have been rehashed, dissected and mocked. But that's not what this column is about. This is about something the Knicks have done right: Player Development.
Bereft of high draft picks besides Kristaps Porzingis, the coaching staff has been asked in many instances to turn water into wine, to transform young castaways into NBA rotation players.
They've responded by whipping together multiple success stories:
— Lance Thomas parlayed a 10-day contract into $27.5 million deal. He is now a starter with the Knicks, representing their best defensive player.
— Langston Galloway went from a 10-day deal to an All-Rookie selection and big money, although he got away, signing with the Pelicans.
Willy Hernangomez, a second-round pick, has been a revelation.
Willy Hernangomez, a second-round pick, has been a revelation. (ELSA/GETTY IMAGES)
— Willy Hernangomez, a second round pick, has improved markedly since joining the Knicks, developing into an offensive weapon at just 22-years-old.
— Nobody wanted Ron Baker in the draft, but he's starting for Jeff Hornacek, playing defense, and looking like a keeper.
— Chasson Randle showed during Monday's victory over Orlando that he's a capable floor general and system point guard, using the acumen developed with the Knicks Summer League and D-League teams. The Knicks now view him as a piece for the future.
— Justin Holiday, 27, never played meaningful minutes until joining the Knicks as a throwaway in the trade for Derrick Rose. Now he's averaging career highs in every major statistical category.
With the exception of Hernangomez, all the players listed above went undrafted. Three of them played for the Knicks' D-League team in Westchester. Every one of them exceeded expectations since joining the organization.
Justin Holiday was an extra part in the Derrick Rose trade. Now he’s a contributor.
Justin Holiday was an extra part in the Derrick Rose trade. Now he’s a contributor. (JOHN RAOUX/AP)
Much of the credit belongs to the Knicks assistant coaching staff, specifically Joshua Longstaff and David Bliss, who are consistently taking the younger players through drills and film. It's a ritual before every game. Kurt Rambis has also shown an interest in mentoring rookie Maurice N'Dour, who is waiting for his opportunity to demonstrate he belongs in the NBA.
The Knicks, like most NBA teams these days, employ an army as a basketball operations staff. There seems to be three staff members — whether in coaching, training or strength conditioning — for every player. But unlike Phil and his $60 million, they've given the Knicks returns on their paychecks.
As the Knicks season enters its Dog Days — when we're counting lottery ping pong balls instead of points scored — the aptitude of player development will step more to the forefront. The Knicks want to see what they have moving forward, and Monday night's victory over he Magic — with double-digit minutes doled out to Randle (24-years-old), Baker (23), Porzingis (21), Thomas (28), Holiday (27), Hernangomez (22), Kyle O'Quinn (26) and Mindaugas Kuzminskas (27) — was an encouraging sign.
Jackson's trades and top free agent signings have failed spectacularly, so the player development department has picked up the slack. Not enough to make the playoffs, of course, or to suggest the Knicks have cobbled together the pieces of a future contender. But at least to provide hope a pulse.
