2. Tom Thibodeau must establish a second unit for the New York Knicks.
One of the major reasons for the Knicks’ scoring woes is the fact that they are very top-heavy. Currently, the team has three starters averaging more than 18 points per game (Randle, Brunson and Barrett). Toppin is the only reserve averaging in double figures, coming in right at 10.0 points per contest. While Toppin’s highlight reel dunks are enough to electrify the crowd, the fact that he cannot create his own shot yet leads the bench in scoring illuminates a much bigger problem.
In his 15th NBA season, Derrick Rose has seen a reduced role with this year’s team. A few years ago, he would have been a great backup point guard who could lead a second unit and relieve Brunson of minutes. However, this year he is averaging a career-low 13.3 minutes per game. His contributions to the game are undeniable but his days of playing significant minutes on a consistent basis appear to be over.
Evan Fournier is a streaky shooting off-guard who has had several memorable moments in a Knicks uniform. However, this season he is averaging 6.9 points per game and shooting just over 33 percent from 3-point land. Those numbers are a far cry from his career averages of 14.2 points per game and 38 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Similar narratives can be circulated about Immanuel Quickley, Quentin Grimes and Cam Reddish. All of these players entered this season with high expectations, and for various reasons, the results are not there at this point in the season. While Randle, Brunson and Barrett have been solid but not spectacular, they are incapable of carrying the team to victory until the other key contributors step up and identify themselves.