By
 
 
Keith Schlosser




On Saturday, the Knicks received all of the energy they needed from the point guard position and then some, despite his absence.

The decision to sign with New York was an interesting one from Brandon Jennings. Rose's presence meant that Jennings, a consistent starter and often the primary option in his team's respective offensive scheme over his career, signed up for a role coming off the bench.

Though Rose missed Saturday's game due to off-the-basketball-court obligations, his injury history will likely mean the Knicks will have to depend on Jennings much like a starter at various times. In preseason game number two, New York had a taste of what that could be like.

Jennings' shooting touch was still not present, but that's not what his role on Saturday was about. Instead, he ran the offense with an extra pep in his step and dished off a team-high five masterful assists. With Jennings on the floor, there certainly was no clear lull in the action. He pushed the right buttons for teammates and created easy opportunities. As a result, he boasted a plus/minus of plus-12 (the highest among the starters) in just 14 minutes of play.

Playing his first game at MSG as a Knickerbocker, Jennings had some jitters as well. He was overzealous at times, but his energy nevertheless provided New York with the necessary spark to get things going. Such an ability to get his teammates involved is the type of versatility the Knicks need from him.

While Jennings served as playmaker, Chasson Randle stepped up to provide that necessary scoring boost off the bench. The youngster clearly has similarities in his game to Rose and Jennings, and has undoubtedly been picking up pointers from each one as camp and preseason has continued. Randle played the role of aggressor, attacking the basket again and again.

More impressively, he adjusted to the defense's pressure, pulling back and making shots from deep when driving through the lane wasn't necessarily the best option. As such, he showed tremendous poise on offense. His three steals on the defensive end proved him to be just the type of pest the Knicks need as well.

Randle is proving that he can handle third-string point guard duties with the potential to fill in more, a la Langston Galloway. Rose and Jennings' injury history should be an indication the team needs the young gun to fill that very role.

Seeing Jennings boast an ability run the offense was a huge plus in the victory. Randle's solid play will present the Knicks with a difficult roster decision in the weeks to come. Either way, having to find a spot for a worthwhile talent is a good problem to have.

I feel much better about the Knicks guard situation than I have in a long time. Rose, Jennings, Lee, Randle etc. look like a pretty strong group for how Hornacek wants to play. Pushing the ball and looking for early offense is gonna be huge and we still haven't seen much PnR compared to what you would think will be used. Rather it's been more of the Triangle styled 2 man stuff ie. Drag Screens and Dribble Hand Offs. They demonstrated better execution against the Nets.

And now my 1st Stills Breakdown of the Season!

CrushAlot wrote:Great article. I really want Randle to be on the team. Also, I think Plumlee and N'dour are keepers so creating a spot will be tough. I loved Breen's comment that everybody wantsPlumleee on their team when they scrimmage.

I really like the energy off the bench. BJ, LT, Randle, Willy, Ndour and Plumlee in particular bring some nice talent and effort. It's actually a nice bench IMO.

TheGame wrote:I definitely want randle on the team over Baker.

You could see Randle's impact in summer league! He has a very nice Combo Guard game that is perfect for the way Hornacek wants this team to play. The pace and style doesn't change from PG to PG to PG! 😜

nixluva wrote:

HofstraBBall wrote:It really is nice having guards that can push the pace, penetrate and are faster than their defenders. It's going to be fun watching them. Hope Randle makes the squad. Think he will as Hornacek loves his guards.

I can't imagine Hornacek not demanding Randle makes the team. Horny is such a Guard friendly coach, similar to MDA. You have to give him guards and Phil definitely upgraded the guard spots.

The actuarial department of the Knicks should insist Randle makes the team. Jokes aside, the probability of Rose and Jennings combining to miss 20 or more games has to be over 50%, no?

CrushAlot wrote:

EnySpree wrote:Randle is that dude guys were crying about as far as having a 3rd pg.... potentially Jennings and Randle are our future. Rose could be a stop gap for now. Next year we'd have that option to explore. Gotta let this all play out

This.

+1

Randle looks like one of those young solid backup PGs other teams always seem to have and we never do.

crzymdups wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

EnySpree wrote:Randle is that dude guys were crying about as far as having a 3rd pg.... potentially Jennings and Randle are our future. Rose could be a stop gap for now. Next year we'd have that option to explore. Gotta let this all play out

This.

+1

Randle looks like one of those young solid backup PGs other teams always seem to have and we never do.

I keep talking about positivity in this place. We need to speak things into existence. Say what you want but speak positively about it not negatively. You can't ask for something with negative words towards the people in charge especially when the person working is genuine in their work. Food for thought.

Who will make the final roster?
Who's on the fence?
And who's definately not going to make the roster? So far, it looks like Baker could be out....