Pre-Season NBA Power Rankings

<p>The New York Knicks had a major decision to make. With the emergence of power forward Kristaps Porzingis, and the sunsetting of Carmelo Anthony’s career, the team was forced to either load up to win now, or build around Porzingis and build for the future.</p> <p>They chose now, as so many NBA teams do.</p> <p>The Knicks waved goodbye to Jerian Grant, Robin Lopez, and Jose Calderon, and welcomed Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, and a 2017 second round prospect.</p> <p>Adding to the mix, the team signed former Chicago center Jakim Noah and Charlotte shooting guard Courtney Lee as well.  Between the four new faces, the set played a total of 150 games last season out of the possible 328 games.</p> <p>That’s a huge risk.</p> <p>President Phil Jackson is hoping that two of the four return to their top form, and is praying that Derrick Rose is one of them.  While Noah and Rose are very familiar with one another, much of that familiarity is due to conversation on the bench or in the team’s whirlpool.</p> <p>If the team can field a lineup of Rose, Anthony, Lee, Porzingis, and Noah day in and day out, this is a playoff team.  But I cannot see enough gauze, wraps, or pain killers to allow that to happen.  The team improves by one game this season, and next year will be looking to do a rebuild the old fashioned way, by reversing course and pursuing youth.</p> <p><strong>Key Losses:</strong> Aaron Affalo, Jerian Grant, Robin Lopez<br /> <strong>Key Gains:</strong>  Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah<br /> <strong>Key Statistic</strong>: Staying Healthy<br /> <strong>NBA Power Rankings:</strong> 24th</p>. (33-49). Previous: . New York Knicks. 24. team. 27