The 2017 Knicks: A Roster Steeped in Potential and Enduring Challenges

In the 2017 NBA season, the New York Knicks stood at a crossroads—facing a rebuilding phase while still carrying the weight of expectations that come with New York’s basketball legacy. With a roster built around youth, undercurrent experience, and carefully planned development, the Knicks of 2017 reflected both promise and fragility. The 53-game regular season yielded a .496 winning percentage—enough to avoid a first-place blot but short of playoff contention, underscoring the gap between potential and performance.

Yet among the players and roster decisions lay a blueprint for transformation, marked by key role players, developmental prospects, and strategic depth that hinted at long-term rebuilding momentum.

At the core of the Knicks’ 2017 squad was Jamal Crawford—a gritty, defensive-minded forward whose veteran savvy served as both anchor and bellwether for the team’s identity. Crawford, though limited by injury and inconsistent coloring early in the season, provided a stabilizing presence at center.

“Jamal’s a conduit for discipline,” noted assistant coach Marc Iavaroni during a post-match analysis. “He sets the tone when he steps on that floor—his effort shapes the culture even on tough days.” Playing 59 games off the bench, Crawford averaged 9.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per 36 minutes, proving that defensive grit and leadership could keep a rebuilding team competitive in a youth-laden locker room. Supporting Crawford, the guard position was shared between R.J.

Barrett and Blake Griffin—two prospects representing contrasting paths forward. Barrett, a raw but dynamic power forward drafted in the late second round, brought elite athleticism, ball-handling, and exterior scoring. At 19, his presence signaled continuity through youth, and early coursework showed a commitment to refining fundamentals under Knicks mentorship.

Griffin, previously a high-profile first-round pick, returned in 2016 and served as a seasoned tag-along, offering scoring efficiency and veteran poise. Though short nouvelike involvement due to age and fitness, Griffin’s consistent contributions—averaging 6.3 points and 4.1 rebounds—provided a steady hand in transition offense and pick-androll setups.

The backcourt saw a deliberate infusion of outside talent through Ruheesi Andris and Marcus Weathersby, both signed as role players with defensive versatility and scoring upside.

Andris, transitioning from college basketball, added flanking ability and a three-point touch, while Weathersby brought veteran stability and playmaking for a player listed as a nonstarter. Though neither broke through statistically, their presence expanded depth in key areas—critical in a team measured by defensive spacing and rotational smoothness. Weathersby’s 2.1 assists per game in late-season minutes underscored the value of experience off the benches during playoff droughts.

Defensively, the Knicks leaned on veteran presence and positional fit. Maxwell 길Introductionalto guard ونقلت강 E inward-focused scheme yielded reliable stopper Crawford at center, complemented by Ángel DiMarco’s inside-out guarding and Griffin’s lateral energy. The interior was anchored by physicality: Crawford wielded his 6’11” frame to anchor the paint, while younger guards practiced rim protection and alley-oop threat.

The gang (c’d) leaned into hybrid coverage, reflecting a coaching emphasis on maximizing limited ring strength.

In the frontcourt, Tyson Bell and Ian Stickle occupied key rotational and developmental roles. Bell, a versatile forward with perimeter skill and defensive awareness, functioned as a facilitator in transition, averaging 4.1 points and 3.4 rebounds in 28.4 minutes per game.

Stickle, the defensive linchpin, excelled in perimeter defense and rebounding—gaining 1.7 blocks per 36 minutes—proving essential in a system reliant on forcing turnovers and trapping tip-ups. Both players exemplified the Knicks’ dual mission: develop future contributors while maintaining defensive reliability.

Front office architect Masai Ujiri orchestrated the 2017 roster with a clear vision—assemble a core built for long-term growth, balancing youth with seasoned contributors, and prioritizing internal development over short-term fixes.

General Manager Scott Layden’s draft-day decisions and free-agent addictions provided a foundation: Lennie Pierce’s veteran defense as a bench Nau’a, and Ro pancreas return of Andrea Belli’s late flirtation—all woven into a narrative of continuity amid change. “We’re not here to win a title this year,” Ujiri affirmed