2008-09 NBA Preview: New York Knicks

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New York Knicks

2007-08 Record: 23-59

Cool 2007 Stat: As a team, they were last in the NBA in assists. Probably because of plays like this.

Anticipated Starting Five

PG- Chris Duhon
SG- Jamal Crawford
SF- Danilo Gallinari
PF- Zach Randolph
C- Eddy Curry

Bench: Stephon Marbury, David Lee, Jared Jeffries, Nate Robinson, Quentin Richardson

Biggest Strength – Talent

Jamal Crawford has a filthy handle and can get by anyone, score and shoot the three. Zack Randolph can get you a double-double every night and is a good rebounder and free throw shooter for a big man. Eddy Curry isn’t as good a rebounder as Randolph but is a much better scorer and more traditional post player, as indicated by his field goal percentage. David Lee is a high percentage scorer, the best rebounder on the team and a fantastic free throw shooter. He also provides a lot of energy in the front court. Stephon Marbury probably has the most talent on the team. When he is locked in, he can be a very exciting 20 and 9 point guard. And all that doesn’t even account for Nate Robinson’s spark off the bench and Gallinari’s potential.

Biggest Weakness -Dumb talent

I think this point is best illustrated in the link Pete provided above as well as this one. These guys are just a collection of individuals who don’t know how to win or play as a team. Isiah was horrible, but I think he got too much of the blame for this team stinking. They don’t play the right way which is why Larry Brown didn’t work out as coach either. Can Mike D’Antoni do what the previous coaches have not? Get these players to make the right decisions, share the ball, help each other, communicate on the floor, compete and bring the energy every game and play smart?

Key Player in ’08 – Chris Duhon

He obviously isn’t Steven Nash, but now he will be asked to play a similar role in D’Antoni’s run-and-gun system. Is he capable? I am not so sure. Duhon is solid but not the dynamic point guard necessary for this system to perform at peak effectiveness. You have to be able to pass well both in the half-court and transition game. Run pick-and-rolls endlessly and be a threat to score, drive and dish. And shoot the three well. That seems like a lot to ask a player whose career numbers per 36 minutes are: 9.7 ppg, 6.3 apg, 38.7% FG shooter and 35.6% three-point shooter. But if he can excel in New York as the floor leader, the Knicks certainly have enough talent to compete night in and night out.

Their Thaddeus (exciting player 22 or under) – Danilo Gallinari, 20

The Danilo era didn’t get off to a good start as he was lustily booed at the draft and has not yet played in a preseason game due to injury. He’s in the right situation, with Mike D’Antoni as his head coach, and when he gets healthy, it will be interesting to see how much playing time he can earn this year. Unlike many foreign players (i.e. Alexis Ajinca) Gallinari has proven himself in elite international competition. In the 2007-08 Euroleague, he averaged 15 points, 4 boards, 2 assists and 2 steals a game, impressive numbers for a 19-year-old.

Pete’s 2008 Outlook: 4th place, Atlantic division / 11th place, Eastern conference / 23rd place, NBA

This is one of the toughest teams for me to project. They have a decent amount of talent and a fairly deep bench. But I don’t know how they will adapt to D’Antoni’s system. They will certainly be more exciting to watch, and they have shown signs of improving over last year in the preseason. However, the reason I don’t see them making the playoffs is they are lacking the smart, scoring PG to run the show, and I don’t see Stephon Marbury getting it done.

Dannie’s 2008 Outlook: 5th place, Atlantic division / 15th place, Eastern conference / 29th place, NBA

I just can’t see anything but more of the same from this team. They will come out and beat teams with their talent. But lack the consistency necessary to be a winning team that makes the playoffs. I have little confidence Randolph and Curry are the right front court players to play in D’Antoni’s up-tempo system. Don’t you think that will cause frustration, and therefore lack of effort, from them if they aren’t getting the ball because Crawford, Duhon, Marbury and Robinson are running up and down jacking up shots? If he can make it work, more credit to him. I just don’t see it.

Philly Connection: Mardy Collins

Mardy Collins, like Aaron McKie, went from Simon Gratz to play for John Cheney at Temple. Collins was a four year star at Temple. Scouts loved him because of his size for his position and well-rounded play (17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals a game his senior year). The Knicks took him in the first round, but so far in 2 years, Collins is best known for his brawl-inducing foul on J.R. Smith. With a new coach and a new system, he might have a chance to make a real mark this year. He’s played 20+ in several preseason games, so Temple fans should keep an eye on his minutes and see if he can make his mark.

October 25, 2008