2015-2016 Knicks Season Review

The Knicks concluded their 2015-2016 season on Monday night when they lost to the Indiana Pacers. The team finished a season in which they started hot, but fizzled out a few months into the season. In this article, I will do my season review for the Knickerbockers.

Final Record: 32-50
Winning %: .390
Home Games: 18-23
Away Games: 14-27


Individual Statistic Leaders:

Games Played: Robin Lopez (82), Langston Galloway (82), Derrick Williams (82)

Points: Carmelo Anthony (21.3), Kristaps Porzingis (14.3), Arron Afflalo (12.8)

Rebounds: Carmelo Anthony (7.7), Robin Lopez (7.3), Kristaps Porzingis (7.3)

Assists: Carmelo Anthony (4.2), Jose Calderon (4.2), Langston Galloway (2.5)

Steals: Carmelo Anthony (0.9), Langston Galloway (0.9), Jose Calderson (0.9)

Blocks: Kristaps Porzingis (1.9), Robin Lopez (1.6), Kyle O'Quinn (0.8)

Free Throw %: Jose Calderson (.875), Lance Thomas (.857), Arron Afflalo (.840)

Field Goal %: (Min. 3 Games): Robin Lopez (.539), Kyle O'Quinn (.476), Jose Calderon (.459)

Minutes Per Game: Carmelo Anthony (35.1), Arron Afflalo (33.4), Kristaps Porzingis (28.4)


Biggest Surprise: Kristaps Porzingis

Honorable Mentions: Lance Thomas, Derrick Williams, Jerian Grant

Phil Jackson has loved Porzingis since day one. After being booed on draft night, the Latvian seemed to have a massive chip on his shoulder, and proved his worth almost instantaneously. In the first 20 games of his young career, he averaged 14.1 PPG, 9.4 REB, and shot almost 36% from the three point line.

During that span, he rejuvenated a fan base that was shell shocked by last year's trainwreck of a season. Porzingis morphed into a viral sensation that every New Yorker loved and embraced. Although he was expected to show promise, not many believed that he would provide such a profound impact in his rookie season.

The 7 foot 3 power forward finished the 2015-2016 season with 14.3 PPG, 7.3 REB, .333 3P%, and a .838 FT%, but will likely fall short to Karl Anthony-Towns of the T-Wolves in the Rookie of the Year award race. Porzingis showed many why the Knicks took him with their lottery pick, and will be a very nice building block for the team moving forward.


Biggest Disappointment: Derek Fisher

Honorable Mention: Kyle O'Quinn

In June 2014, the Knicks signed Derek Fisher to be their new head coach. They gave the long-time NBA guard a five-year, $25 million contract to lead their new-look team. At the time, it looked like a solid signing, as he was very familiar with the triangle offense, which is the playbook that Phil Jackson has notoriously used upon his players.

Fast forward to February 2016, where the Knicks lose 9 out of 10 games, and let Fisher go. Over one and a half seasons in New York, he put up an overall record of 40-96, and was replaced by Kurt Rambis.

The reason why he was a disappointment was not only his on-the-court actions, but other distractions such as an incident with forward Matt Barnes. In October 2015, Fisher got into an altercation with Barnes at the home of Barnes' ex-wife, and this lead to an insane amount of media attention.

It was never meant to be with Fisher, and now the Knicks enter the off-season with a major coaching decision to make. Do they bring back Rambis, sign an experienced coach like Mark Jackson or Tom Thibodeau, or take a shot in the dark with fan favorite Patrick Ewing?

Pending Free Agents:

• Arron Afflalo (Player Option)
• Derrick Williams (Player Option)
• Kevin Seraphin (Unrestricted FA)
• Langston Galloway ($2.7 Qualifying Offer)
• Lou Amundson (Unrestricted FA)
• Sasha Vujacic (Unrestricted FA)
• Cleanthony Early (Restricted FA)

In case you missed it, check out my Nets 2015-2016 Season Review