| cks have been a mess for quite a few years. | | | | shoot, drive to the basket, and defend, but the |
| Saddled by large salaries given to mediocre or | | | | problem is that he hasn’t seen a lot of court |
| downright terrible players, the organization invested in | | | | time. Danilo Gallinari was the team’s first pick |
| bringing in team president Donnie Walsh and head | | | | with the sixth choice in the draft, but he enters the |
| coach Mike D’Antoni to get things turned | | | | season at 20 years old and the team is going to try |
| around. Our 2008-09 New York Knicks predictions | | | | to speed up his learning curve with play this year. |
| show that it’s going to take more than one | | | | Last year the team went out and got Zach Randolph |
| year to accomplish their goals. The BetUS odds on | | | | to try and push them over the edge, but even |
| New York to win the NBA Championship are at | | | | though he averaged a double-double, he didn’t |
| +10000. | | | | blend in very well with the rest of the team. He is a |
| D’Antoni goes from having one of the best | | | | good scorer who put up 17.6 ppg, and he averaged |
| point guards in the league in Steve Nash to a big | | | | more than 10.3 rbg. The problem is that he’s a |
| question mark in Stephon Marbury. Further | | | | black hole on offense, passes go in and they rarely |
| complicating things are the rumors the Knicks are | | | | come back out, and he can’t defend anyone. |
| going to buy out Marbury’s contract to start | | | | If Randolph is dealt, David Lee is a fan favorite ready |
| fresh at the position. If Marbury stays, he feels like | | | | to step right in. Lee is a hustler and a good rebounder |
| D’Antoni is a guy he can play for. If | | | | who is still learning how to score in the NBA. Jared |
| he’s gone, look for Chris Duhon to be the | | | | Jeffries is another option here, but he hasn’t |
| starter. Duhon is a fairly solid defender who is a true | | | | come close to living up to his potential. |
| pass-first ball-handler. He doesn’t shoot very | | | | Sure, Eddy Curry can score down low, but he is a |
| well though. Nate Robinson might also see some time | | | | bad rebounder for a starting NBA center. He |
| here, and he’s a guy who can benefit from a | | | | doesn’t block shots either and had only one |
| transition-based offseason. | | | | assist for every four turnovers a year ago. |
| The off guard spot will be held down by Jamal | | | | Defensively things don’t get much better, but |
| Crawford, who is one of the streakiest shooters in | | | | the team is hoping a new coach will give him more |
| the league. Crawford averaged more than 20 ppg a | | | | confidence, leading to better play. He’s got |
| year ago, but shot just 41% from the floor. He could | | | | the physical abilities, he just needs to get it together |
| be a good fit for the run-and-gun style | | | | mentally. Jerome James is his backup, and he’s |
| D’Antoni likes. Robinson will also most likely | | | | a cap-killer at 5-years, $30 million despite logging five |
| see time here at the two, but any time teams slow | | | | minutes last year. |
| down the pace he becomes a liability. | | | | Final Analysis |
| At small forward the team does have a few options, | | | | Excitement is high to see what D’Antoni can |
| but it all starts with Quentin Richardson. Richardson | | | | do, but with this group of guys don’t expect |
| had his best season with nearly 15 ppg and 6.1 rpg | | | | big things. We see them last in the Atlantic behind |
| while playing for D’Antoni in Phoenix during the | | | | the Celtics, Sixers, Raptors and Nets. If you check |
| 2004-05 season, and he’s excited to have | | | | out next year’s NBA predictions for this team |
| another chance to work with the coach. Wilson | | | | things could look much brighter as they get rid of |
| Chandler will be pushing Richardson though for the | | | | some expensive baggage and have a year under the |
| starting job. Chandler has a lot of upside as he can | | | | new system. |