With several big men vying for a spot on the New York Knicks’ roster, rookie Willy Hernangomez could emerge as a potential option at backup center.
While the starting lineup seems like a lock, the bench has been a topic of discussion for the New York Knicks.
The final two or three spots in the rotation have been a battle. With Brandon Jennings, Lance Thomas, Kyle O’Quinn and Justin Holiday as locks off the bench, several Knicks have battled for the last few spots in the rotation this preseason. Guards like Ron Baker and Chasson Randle are vying for that third point guard spot, while Marshall Plumlee hopes to stay on the roster as an alternative big man.
But the one player that has caught my eye is rookie big man Willy Hernangomez. A second-round pick in 2015, Hernangomez stayed overseas one more season before signing a four-year deal with the Knicks.
With center being one of the more stable positions on the roster, Hernangomez wouldn’t start, but based on his preseason performances, it seems like he could emerge as a better option at backup center.
In reality, the “backup center” job isn’t open. After Joakim Noah, the best center option on the roster is Kristaps Porzingis. After using him at center for 30 percent of his time on the floor, Porzingis should be spending more time at the position alongside Carmelo Anthony at power forward. However, between O’Quinn and Hernangomez, both will see a solid amount of time on the floor.
Hernangomez is coming over to New York after averaging 5.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game with Real Madrid. Playing with Porzingis before Kristaps’ arrival to New York last season, Hernangomez was a very nice complement alongside Porzingis’ all-around power forward style, offering a more brooding, banging style at center. He’s also an underrated passer, which helped Porzingis.
In a league where versatility rules, Hernangomez is locked in at the center position. He’s good enough to defend and contest at the rim, but not an ideal big man in moving away from the rim and defending at the perimeter.
He’s also not a great athlete, leaving him ground-bound a bit. That’s a bit different compared to O’Quinn, who can shuffle away from the basket and defend on the perimeter a bit.
For starters, Hernangomez provides a bit more offensive versatility. Knocking down over 70 percent of his free throws the last two seasons, Hernangomez has some potential as a jump shooter, perhaps in the pick-and-roll.
Even as he figures it out away from the rim, Willy is efficient when scoring at the rim. Last season, Hernangomez finished shooting 65 percent from the field.
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I’m also fond of his work as a rebounder. Preseason stats are never to be taken as gospel, but in Hernangomez’s 11-rebound performance, Willy looked active and showed great anticipation on shots coming off the rim.
He boxed out well and even got some points on some good put-backs. Last season, Hernangomez averaged 11.5 rebounds per 40 minutes and an offensive rebound rate of 13.5, both solid numbers.
At 22 years old, Hernangomez’s ability to score at the rim and even step away from the rim is a trait that can be valuable in second units. To a much, much larger extent, we’ve seen players like Enes Kanter or Al Jefferson who can’t defend a lick have success as they’re able to score in spurts in the second unit.
The defensive side of the ball will be a work in progress for Hernangomez. As mentioned before, he is a smart, yet poor defender away from the rim, and will most likely need an active, bouncy defender alongside him.
The Knicks could use Lance Thomas at the 4 alongside him, but Maurice Ndour seems like a perfect fit. Ndour is an athletic defender who can shuffle on the perimeter.
Kyle O’Quinn will mostly start the season as the backup center and rightfully so. O’Quinn is a better defender, better passer and shooter from the elbow ,and he’s also the veteran in this scenario. He has experience playing with some of New York’s better players, and thus, should enter the season as the backup.
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However, as the season continues to Hernangomez gets acclimated to NBA speed and athleticism, I’m envisioning a scenario where his defense becomes good enough and his offense in spurts provides more value off the bench.