The New York Knicks are one of the most recognizable franchises in sports history. The team plays on the biggest stage, Madison Square Garden, which is appropriately nicknamed the “World’s Most Famous Arena.” The men who don the orange and blue play in the city that never sleeps, and as a result are always under scrutiny from some of the most intense fans in sports.
The past few seasons, though, have not been memorable ones for Knicks fans. The roster has included many different starting lineups, numerous different coaches, and an incredibly high team salary that has left many wondering what happened to the glory days of Patrick Ewing, John Starks, Larry Johnson, Charles Oakley, hell, even Latrell Sprewell.
Since Isaiah Thomas took over as team president in 2003, eventually switching to head coach in 2006, he has drawn much criticism. There aren’t many people who would admit this, but it is hard to overlook the fact that he has slowly brought this team closer and closer to being a contender. While some of his trades and picks in the draft have not made major splashes and launched New York back to being a powerhouse, they have instead been tiny ripples that frankly leave me anxious for this season to begin.
Now lets get one thing straight: I would watch the Knicks even when they struggle terribly; I have, for quite a while. That’s what defines a true fan, to be there for the good times and the bad, and most New York fans have. But that’s what is going to make the day when the Knicks finally start putting things together that much sweeter, and though I don’t want to have my expectations too high, I’m hoping that maybe that day will come this season.
New York finished last season with a record of 33-49. It grabbed the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, which was a big deal because it meant the team at least had a chance to make some noise. However, the Knicks got swept in the first round by the New Jersey Nets.
It was a busy off-season for New York, highlighted by the acquisition of Zach Randolph from the Portland Trailblazers. The power forward averaged 24 points and 10 rebounds last season, and will team up with center Eddy Curry to form a potentially devastating front court match-up with any opponent.
Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, and Quentin Richardson will join Curry and Randolph in the starting lineup. Marbury has as much talent as anyone in the league, and will need to be the leader on the court for this young and exciting team. Crawford is a prolific scorer who can take anyone at any time. “Q” is the team’s most reliable defender and provides a steady shot from behind the arc.
Coming off the bench is fan favorite and sixth man of the year candidate David Lee, who gives the Knicks energy and life with his all-out determination and effort on the court. High-flyer Nate Robinson has played very well in the preseason. Last year was disappointing for Robinson, who was involved with the big brawl at the Garden and is he is out to prove to all what he can do.
Mardy Collins is another youngster who blossomed at the end of last year and that will compete for time in the backcourt. Wilson Chandler was the Knicks’ only draft pick this season. The six-foot-eight-inch forward is very athletic, but raw.
Jared Jeffries and Malik Rose provide veteran leadership while Fred Jones and Renaldo Balkman round out what is a very solid, well-rounded, and deep bench for New York.
So while the talent is clearly there, ultimately what it comes down to is what the Knicks can do on the court. Offensively, there is no doubt they can score, and they will now look to be more of a running team. Perimeter play cannot be the focal point either, as both big men—Curry and Randolph—will need to get their touches down low. Open shots will come off of them.
The Knicks also can’t do what they did last year as far as turning the ball over. They gave away possessions a league-leading 18.4 times per game, which is ultimately why they found themselves consistently fighting an uphill battle trying to come back from huge deficits.
Another crucial aspect is defense. Last season, New York allowed, on average, 103 points per night. That is way too high and the Knicks need to return to the days when they were one of the tightest defenses in the league, whether it be man-to-man or if they continue to work on the zone that Thomas implemented last season.
The 2007-2008 New York Knicks are far from perfect, but they definitely have the potential to be great. They just need to build a strong chemistry on the court and work together as a team to get to the top. And for the first time in a while, it appears as if the team legitimately believes they can do it. Curry was asked about the Knicks’ timeframe for making the playoffs, rather than merely hoping and planning for it. “We’re at that point [now],” Curry said. “I feel like we’re real close, even though we haven’t played a regular season game yet. It’s just a feeling here that’s a lot different than it’s been in the past.”
