The New York Knicks have a lot of reasons they should feel encouraged by the team regardless of the record at the moment. Phil Jackson proved he knows what he is doing as Kristaps Porzingis is quickly turning into a star for the team while new additions like Derrick Williams Kyle O'Quinn are proving to be useful depth for the team. However, through a few games of the NBA season it is clear the one thing holding the Knicks back is Jose Calderon.
The Knicks are trying to remain faithful in Calderon considering his contract indicates that he should be a star. However, the point guard is not looking good at the start of the season as the clear weak link in the starting rotation. The backcourt of Calderon and Sasha Vujacic is simply not getting it done. While head coach Derek Fisher is not committed to the starting lineup currently taking the court, changing it to move Jerian Grant to the top spot could benefit New York.
"It's always interesting to see how quickly things change where [Wednesday] night everything was great and the sun was up and now all of a sudden, there's no sun because we lost," Fisher said, via ESPN.com. "That's the mentality that we have to get out of in this organization. Everybody. You can't go up and down with the sun and the moon one day at a time."
Statistically speaking, Grant is better than Calderon. The rookie is averaging eight points, four assists and 3.5 rebounds in just under 23 minutes of play. He has full grasp of the triangle offense while seemingly making the offense better when he is on the court. The Knicks are trying to make Calderon work considering they have not been able to get a trade deal for his contract, but eventually Fisher will be forced to put Grant on the court instead.
Things could change when Arron Afflalo returns from his hamstring injury. He will replace Vujacic in the starting lineup which might elevate Calderon's play or it might not and Fisher will need to shake things up. According to the New York Post, when Afflalo is healthy, Vujacic's playing time could shrink a lot. The team will then work with either Calderon or Grant as the starting point guard while the other player comes off the bench with Langston Galloway who is thriving this year. Jackson might like Calderon and Vujacic, but it is clear they are bringing the team down.
