Now that new New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni has taken over Gotham City, he is faced with the arduous task of rebuilding a fallen franchise and saving a city from complete annihilation.
Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit. Nonetheless D'Antoni has his work cut out for him and he may need a cape and a mask for this one.
Having failed to reach the NBA Finals with the run-n-gun Phoenix Suns, D'Antoni has taken his uptempo offense to New York in hopes that a once proud franchise can be brought back from the dead.
Although it looks all bad right now, it may not be as bad as it seems. The roster just needs a little tweaking, with one big addition needed and a couple of slight adjustments here and there. Maybe last year was an aberration because of the Knicks' slow start as a result of all the off-court issues that hampered the players and their coach. I'm willing to give this team the benefit of the doubt. Now that a new system and philosophy are in place, it's time to move on and think positively.
Most people believe Stephon Marbury has played his last game as a Knick but this may not be the case. First of all, Marbury feuded with Isiah Thomas and didn't get along with him but Thomas is no longer calling the shots from the sidelines. Secondly, Marbury has the type of game to excel in a run-n-gun system. The big question isn't whether he'll stay, but will anyone take him?
So who stays and who goes? Let's mix the ingredients and see what it tastes like:
Point Guards: I say Marbury stays. D'Antoni will at least give the former All-Star a chance to prove he can shine under a different system and philosophy. This makes the electrifying Nate Robinson major trade bait since he is not a franchise point guard. The Knicks showcased him during the second half of the season and the former Slam Dunk Champion did not disappoint, putting up big time scoring performances.
Shooting Guards: This is where it gets interesting. There is a major logjam at two-guard with Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, Fred Jones, and Mardy Collins. Crawford is solid and provides scoring punch at both guard positions. He is signed to a pretty big contract and I just don't see any takers for him at this point. Not to mention he was the best scoring option the Knicks had last year. Richardson, meanwhile, was out of shape the entire year and his numbers suffered as a result. But he is a former Sun who thrived as an outside threat and could revive his up and down career under D'Antoni. This makes the athletic Jones an expendable asset. When given minutes, Jones has proven he can play in this league and it wouldn't surprise me if another team makes a run for his services.
Small Forwards: New York has something cooking with young, up-and-coming Wilson Chander and defensive specialist Renaldo Balkman. They're athletic, long, and perfect for D'Antoni's system. Above all, they play a little defense. 33-year old Malik Rose will likely be dealt to a playoff team and fifth year 6-11 swingman Jared Jefferies, though inconsistent, is a decent player off the bench. Out of all the position players on the Knicks roster, small forward has the most upside.
Power Forwards: I know we're all wondering the same thing. How in the world is the other Big Z, Zach Randolph, going to run-n-gun? That's easy. He'll have to get in shape. Expect Randolph to work on his game and turn things around next year. They paid him big money. He's going to have to come out and earn it. David Lee, their most consistent player in 2008, is perhaps the most solid player on the roster. He gives you energy, he brings hustle, he plays 100% no matter what the score is, he's got some offense, and most importantly he's a keeper. 22-year old Randolph Morris is a project and it is yet to be determined how much of an impact the kid can make or even if he will be there when training camp opens.
Centers: Between Eddy Curry and Jerome James, who would you choose? I say neither, but D'Antoni will have to get creative at the five position. Do you trade the underachieving Curry and develop James, who had one solid season with the Seattle Sonics before tanking after signing that huge contract and getting hurt? Or do you keep Curry, hoping he'll lose some weight, gain some motivation and work harder on the boards, and trade James to any team who needs a big man? I'm sure one concern D'Antoni will have is whether or not Randolph and Curry can continue to be on the same floor occupying all that space.
Needs: An agile defensive minded center who can get out on the break and get back on defense. A shot-blocker. Three-point shooters who know how to move without the ball. Power Forwards who can defend the low post but are still quick enough to get out on the break. Veterans who know how to play the game of basketball
Options: Not much. But this where we'll see how much better (or worse) Donnie Walsh and Coach Mike are than Thomas and Dolan at making personnel decisions.
Good luck, Gotham. Batman and Robin aren't here to save the day, because Mike and Dan D'Antoni just took their jobs.
Heh. As I sat reading this I found myself smiling and thinking of what my dad used to say to my little brother when we were small and my brother always has some wild eyed optomistic explanation for what everyone else saw as a lost cause.
"ya know J-Dizzle, the stables did need to be cleaned so go right ahead and I do appreciate the help but I'm afraid that once again you may be a bit disappointed thinking there is a pony under all that."
A super hero with a turd for a sidekick is soon destroyed.
The Knicks will stink up the joint next year due to their payroll commitments. In the end, they should buy out some of the bumbs and blow up the team in 2008-9. Sacrifice the year for the future since they'll be bad anyway.
Honestly, J Dizz I dont really care too much, too focused on this year. However, we must remember that Dantoni is looking at it from the perspective that 37-40 wins gets this squad to the playoffs, any team in the East has enough talent to play five hundred ball, and so really he is set up to be quite the savior in this situation. I saw alot of Knicks games that they could of won, including against the Lakers they were just deflated, need some new blood, definately are going to have to stick with Marbury because you can't get #### for him now. It may be tougher to make the playoffs next year with the Hawks becoming a strong team and the Sixers as well but I wouldnt be surprised if the Knicks finish somewhere between 7th and tenth, there getting Lebron in two years anyways, thats an absolute certainty.
I enjoy your roster breakdown David Lee, Fred Jones, I really like. Zach Randolph, and Eddy Curry perhaps can get it done again. Balkman good roll player. Marbury if he shuts his mouth and plays, which I think he might for a year or two. Thats not a bad squad considering they can draft an instant impact player in this draft, if they're smart they steal Russel Westbrook pair him with Nate Robinson or Marbury and have a ridiculous quick backcourt that gives up some size but can run and gun in the Dantoni style.
Last edited by stopbeingdumb on May 13th at 12:58 AM.
Can the Knicks afford just to buy out all of their contracts? Alright, for real. This team is at least two years away from resembling a team that could make a run at the playoffs. I don't know why D'Antoni went with NY over Chicago. I don't know if D'Antoni will be looking for defensive players. D has never really been his game. What the team needs more than anything is discipline and leadership. If the Knicks can get half of that, than they'll take a step forward.
UC IRVINE graduate and proud to be an ANTEATER. My claim to fame is having played against the likes of Tayshaun and Tommie Prince, Jacque Vaughn, and Charles O'Bannon, plus getting dunked on by Schea Cotton in a CIF second round match in the nineties.
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