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New York Knicks 2017-18 season primer: Can Kristaps Porzingis save NY?

By Jonathan Macri

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 18: Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 18: Jeff Hornacek of the New York Knicks looks on during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on January 18, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

3 Storylines to Keep an Eye on Throughout the Season

The on-court narrative for the 2017-18 Knicks is like that of the PGA Tour in the mid 2000’s, when it was Tiger Woods and Everyone Else. 

Kristaps Porzingis is the only man wearing orange and blue this season who truly matters.

Yes, the team would like to see signs from Ntilikina, continued growth from Hardaway, and some defensive competence from Hernangomez. It’s all window dressing compared to this guy, who by all indications has continued to improve and refine his game. 

If the 7-foot-3 cross between Kevin Durant and Marcus Camby makes The Leap this year, the entire trajectory of the franchise changes. The talent is there. The work ethic is obvious. If the coaching staff can construct a semi-competent system to maximize his ability, he could be in the running for All-NBA. 

If that happens, you can forget the Oakley mess and the Jackson nonsense and James Dolan’s general existence. Stars will demand to come play in New York. It’s just a matter of time. 

If, on the other hand, his game stagnates, or he doesn’t feel that the organization has earned enough credits to graduate from clown college, progress from every other player on the roster won’t matter in the least. 

Even if Porzingis continues his fire-breathing ways, the Knicks are not going to win many games. Unless the league follows through on the proposed lottery reform, this isn’t something the organization figures to mind.

Another high draft pick is their easiest path to getting KP a true running mate.

The balance between renewed competence and overt tanking will be something to watch all year, as will the job done by Jeff Hornacek in his second season as Knicks coach.

Largely an afterthought last year, Hornacek will finally get a chance to run an offense fit for the modern game. The only problem is that he lacks the ideal personnel – a guard with some juice – to make it flow. 

Despite the pass he gets for last season, the pressure is on. With only two years to convince Porzingis that New York should be his long term home (is it that insane to think he’d sign a one year qualifying offer if the chicanery continued?), Hornacek is officially on the hot seat. 

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