2010-11 Season Previews: New York Knicks

Pictured: Danilo Gallinari

The NBA season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team.  We're going to go in order from worst record to best.  Lets head on over to New York, because apparently that's where everyone wants to be nowadays.


2009-10 Record: 29-53
Additions: Amar'e Stoudemire (FA), Raymond Felton (FA), Ronny Turiaf (Trade), Kelenna Azubuike (Trade), Timofey Mozgov (FA), Anthony Randolph (Trade), Roger Mason (FA), Andy Rautins (Draft), Landry Fields (Draft), Patrick Ewing Jr. (FA)
Subtractions: Tracy McGrady, Al Harrington, David Lee, Chris Duhon, Eddie House, Sergio Rodriguez, J.R. Giddens, Jonathan Bender, Earl Barron



It was widely known that the Knicks were gearing up for the Summer of 2010 for years now, shedding contracts and assets left and right in order to acquire the massive amount of space needed to attract at least two of the star free agents, the main target of which was always LeBron James.  The Knicks failed in this regard, but I still feel that they had one of the more successful off-seasons of any NBA team.


Even though LeBron, Wade and Bosh eluded them, the Knicks were still able to snag Amar'e Stoudemire away from the Suns, and no matter your feelings on Amar'e, he is one of the best Power Forwards in the league.  He gives the Knicks their first star since before Stephon Marbury went crazy, and should definitely exceed the production provided by former Knick David Lee.


Speaking of Lee, the Warriors were able to gain a treasure trove of assets in return for participating in a Sign-and-Trade with Golden State.  Ronny Turiaf is a capable role player who will provide size and energy when he comes into the game, and he excels in up-tempo systems like the one D'Antoni runs.  Kelenna Azubuike showed a lot of promise before an injury kept him out for most of last season, and if he comes back and plays like he did before, he could end up starting at SG for the Knicks.  They also got their hands on promising prospect Anthony Randolph, who only showed glimmers of his potential in Golden State.  Hopefully he'll be given a better chance to shine in New York than he was in Oakland with Don Nelson.  If Randolph fulfills his potential, this sign-and-trade will look like even more of a steal for New York.


The Knicks also upgraded their guard position in getting Raymond Felton for a nice two year deal.  Felton is a much better player than Chris Duhon, and he's also a very good defender at the guard position.  He also finally has a little playoff experience after playing in the first round last year.  It's not much, but its more than most of the players on the team.  The team also added guard Roger Mason, who will provide experience and shooting.g


Andy Rautins and Landry Fields were widely criticized selections during the draft, but they could end up being good value picks.  Rautins is a dead eye shooter, and Fields surprised everyone in Summer League with his NBA ready game and versatility.  The Knicks also signed Russian center Timofey Mozgov, who is a little raw, but is a better prospect at Center than the Knicks have had in a while.  


New York will also benefit from internal development of some of its younger players.  Danilo Gallinari is already one of the better shooters in the league, and his defense and ball-handling have also improved.  I have a feeling that Gallo will become the best European player in the league in a few years if he continues to work on his game. You can quote me on that.  Toney Douglas had a solid rookie season for a 2nd rounder, establishing a role for himself as a decent floor general and defender.  Wilson Chandler has been poised on a breakout season for a couple years now but hasn't put it together quite yet.  We'll see if a possible playoff push and a contract year will help his production.


The Knicks have also done a great job at building this much deeper and more talented team and still retaining their financial flexibility.  Eddy Curry's fat (no pun intended) contract will come off the books at the end of the season, and only Amar'e has a guaranteed contract past 2011, leaving plenty of room and opportunity for future free agents such as Tony Parker, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul to possibly come join Amar'e in New York and create their own Super Team to rival Miami's.  The time of New York being a laughingstock is over, and I expect them to make the playoffs this season, and continue to improve, possibly drastically depending on Free Agency, in seasons after that.


Projected Win Range: 40-45