With training camp only a few days away, the New York Knicks enter camp with their most talented roster in quite some time. After enduring many losing seasons and zero trips to the post season, the Knickerbockers hope this will be the start of something big.
Though Knicks fans are likely still frustrated from “The Decision,” they’ll probably, perhaps begrudgingly, take the consolation prize: a sense of optimism; not only about this year, but about things to come.
First, there’s the addition of Stoudemire, one the League’s most lethal offensive weapons, a devastating combination of grace, power and goggles. He’s a better player than Lee and a reunion with Mike D’Antoni will put him in a system that’s geared to his strengths.
Felton, though not an All-Star, is exactly three-gazillion times better than Chris Duhon, and should serve as a potentially very good pick-and-roll partner with STAT. Just where Felton ends up on the Eastern Conference point-guard spectrum will depend on whether can maintain his career high percentages from the three point line from last year and if D’Antoni doesn’t run him into the ground by the All-Star break. The latter, given coach’s previous history with Duhon, is particularly something to keep an eye on.
The Knicks will also be quite deep. The Lee trade netted Turiaf and Azubuike, two useful players who fit needs, and Randolph, a player who depending on you talk to, is either an X-Man mutant with potentially dangerous powers, or just merely another exotic, yet ineffective player with no discernable skill or position. Don Nelson kept him under tight wraps in Golden State, but on a team an already thin frontcourt rotation, Randolph’s current unknown quantities potential should make itself known by around January. Young Toney Douglas showed flashes last year, Mozgov showed flashes this summer in Turkey, and Mason Jr. showed flashes three years ago in Washington. And if you’re into Bill Walker, the Knicks for once will have some serious lineup options to throw out there.
Along with a solid core, they have the luxury of a number of big contracts coming off the books at the end of the season, which will undoubtedly have the front office licking their lips at the thought of landing Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks are undoubtedly better than they’ve been in a while: they have a legit superstar, a solid point-guard and are deeper than last year at almost every position. The level of their success will be determined by their ability to gel in D'antoni "Run-and-Gun" offense and presence on the defensive glass.
With the season just days away, let the games begin.
[ + ] I made started this association prior to the Knicks acquiring Carmelo.
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Nice to see Fields playing like this.