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Have The New York Knicks Found A Diamond In The Rough With Alexey Shved?

Amidst New York Knicks fans discomfort and impatience growing within the incompetence of the team’s front office, fans of the orange and blue scheduled a protest outside of the Mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden for March 19th, 2014. The threat of a protest seemed to ruffle the organization’s feathers, mainly New York Knicks owner, James L. Dolan. Dolan had come to the realization that the regression from 54 wins and the second overall seed just a year prior to fighting for the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot was something fans just weren’t content with.

On March 18th, 2014 13-time NBA Champion, Phil Jackson was introduced as Knicks Team President. Jackson having being originally drafted by the New York Knicks in 1967 had played for the organization from 1967-1978, winning two rings in 1970 and 1973. Jackson’s winning ways on the hardwood translated to the sidelines. Jackson won six rings (1991-1993, 1996-1998) in his ten years in the “Second City” with the Chicago Bulls. Just as Jackson had achieved enormous success in Chicago, he nearly replicated his success in “La La Land” when he took over as the nineteenth head coach in Los Angeles Lakers franchise history in 1999. In two stints as Lakers coach, Jackson reached the NBA Finals seven times, winning five (2000-2002 and 2009-2010).

Having had success throughout every stop in his career, the 69-year-old seemed to be the perfect candidate on paper to help the woeful New York Knicks. While this would be new territory for Jackson as he would be taking on an executive role as opposed to a coaching one, his vast knowledge was expected to translate in his role as an executive. Unfortunately for Knicks fans, their hopeful optimism couldn’t have been more wrong. Jackson’s first year as Knicks President has been marred with a slew of disappointment and has easily been the most lackluster of his career. The Knicks currently hold a mark of 13-53, the worst in the NBA, and are on pace to have their worst season in franchise history.

Jackson’s first year has showcased the arrivals of many new faces as well as the departures of familiar faces. So many new faces that the only player remaining from the 2013-2014 team is sidelined franchise player Carmelo Anthony. While the majority, if not all of the Knicks sans Anthony are practically auditioning for roles for the 2015-2016 season, Jackson may have accidentally, but pleasantly acquired a valuable asset.

On February 19th, 2015, Phil Jackson dealt third string Point Guard Pablo Prigioni to the Houston Rockets in exchange for two second round picks and Russian Guard, Alexey Shved. Shved, having split time with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Houston Rockets, had seen minimal playing time averaging 16.8 MPG with the 76ers and less than half of that at 6.6 with the Houston Rockets. Shved, was soon about to see a spike in minutes, and a chance to prove his worth to the franchise. A week later, on February 26th, 2015, the Knicks announced starting Point Guard Jose Calderon would be out two-three weeks with an Achilles injury.

Shved has taken advantage of the opportunity and increased playing time he has received since Calderon’s injury. In the ten games since Calderon’s injury, Shved has posted numbers of 14.9 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 3.9 APG in 26.8 MPG. Shved has also led the team in scoring or tied for the team lead in four of these ten games (Phoenix, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah, and Sacramento) and three of five in which he has started. Shved has kept his turnover numbers to a minimal as well, losing the rock 1.6 times per game. Shved has been rewarded for his consistent play and has started at Point Guard for the Knicks on their 1-4 West Coast road trip.

When contrasted with Knicks starting Point Guard Jose Calderon who flashes averages of 9.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 4.7 APG it is safe to say Coach Derek Fisher may have inadvertently found himself a new starting Point Guard. However, unlike Calderon, Shved isn’t under contract to the New York Knicks for the 2015-2016 campaign. Instead, he is due a qualifying offer of $4,102,570 as a result of the three-year pact he inked with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2012 offseason.

With all due respect to Langston Galloway, the 26-year-old Shved has been the Knicks most pleasant surprise of the season. Moreover, Shved has easily surpassed any New York Knick not contracted (Acy, Aldrich, Amundson, Bargnani, Larkin, Thomas, Wear) for the 2015-2016 as the player most likely and worthy of getting re-signed by the organization. When asked about whether he would like to remain a Knick, Shved stated, “I want to stay here.”

With Shved echoing statements of his desire to remain a Knick, the ball is now in Jackson’s court. Shved has shown flashes (not including his blunder against the Detroit Pistons) of having the capabilities to shine in the team’s triangle offense.

Shved has stated his comfortability with the team’s offense proclaiming, “Yeah, I’m feeling good here. It’s a different offense, not like everywhere. There’s no pick-and-rolls, just passing and cutting. I feel comfortable here.” For supporters of the blue and orange, many are likely hoping Jackson feels as comfortable with Shved as Shved feels with the Knicks.

Author: Rahul Kumar