The New York Knicks have been on a surprising hot streak in the early stages of the 2021-2022 NBA season, thanks in large part to their revamped roster and improved bench depth. However, one key position where the Knicks are taking a gamble is at the point guard position.
With starting point guard Kemba Walker dealing with injury issues and inconsistent play, the Knicks have had to rely heavily on their backup point guards to pick up the slack. This has led to some concerns among Knicks fans and analysts about the team’s lack of depth and experience at the position.
The Knicks currently have three point guards on their roster – Derrick Rose, Immanuel Quickley, and Luca Vildoza. While Rose has proven to be a reliable veteran presence off the bench, Quickley and Vildoza are still relatively unproven players with limited NBA experience.
Quickley, a second-year player out of Kentucky, has shown flashes of brilliance with his scoring ability and playmaking skills. However, he is still learning the ropes and developing his game, which has led to some inconsistency in his performance. Vildoza, a rookie from Argentina, is a talented young prospect with a lot of potential, but he is still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA game.
The Knicks are taking a risk by relying on these young and inexperienced point guards to play significant minutes in key moments of the game. While they have shown promise and potential, they may not be ready to handle the pressure of a playoff run or a deep postseason run.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau has been known for his reliance on veteran players and his preference for a deep bench rotation. However, with the lack of proven point guard depth on the roster, the Knicks may need to explore potential trades or free-agent signings to bolster their backcourt.
One potential target for the Knicks could be veteran point guard Goran Dragic, who was recently bought out by the Toronto Raptors. Dragic is a proven playmaker and scorer with a wealth of playoff experience, making him an ideal fit for a Knicks team looking to make some noise in the Eastern Conference.
Overall, the Knicks’ gamble with their bench depth at the point guard position could either pay off big or backfire in the long run. Only time will tell if their young guards can step up and deliver when it matters most, or if the team will need to make some roster adjustments to address their lack of experience and depth at the position.