2011 NBA Season: Playoffs Or Not, the Knicks Are Finally Back
There was no summer more significant to the New York Knicks' future than in 2010. The LeBron James sweepstakes began and it was evident that his choices were the Chicago Bulls, his former team the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Knicks.
Donnie Walsh was confident with the perfect pitch in place to recruit him. Everything looking good, but it all fell apart and James took his efforts to Miami where he is dominating with his All-Star tandem of Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. The Knicks settled for a power forward who is only second in the league in scoring right now with 26.4 points per game.
After Amar'e Stoudemire signed with the Knicks, he proclaimed to the NBA world that the Knicks were back. Well, they have made that clear this year. At 22-19, they are the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and have beaten the likes of the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Hornets. It took a last second shot by Paul Pierce for the Boston Celtics to scrape by. They are playing with toughness and vigor. Whether they win or lose the game, their play is always exhilarating.
With their new-found attitude and fearless play, the Knicks are making noise in the NBA and other teams are taking note. Whether they make the postseason or not this season, albeit a catastrophic collapse, the Knicks are to be feared next season and in the future. It's an exciting time for Knicks fans. Here's why.
A Star Ready to Lead His Team
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Where else to begin but with the All-Star leader of this young and energetic team. Always known as a prolific scorer on the fast-paced Phoenix Suns, Amar'e has truly shocked the league with his zealous play and the effect he has had on his team, especially the young players.
His teammates feed off his style and he is loving every minute. It doesn't hurt the team that he averages 2.3 blocks per game.
Ray Felton Built for This System
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Never having averaged more than 14.4 points in his tenure with the Charlotte Bobcats, Felton has always been known as a competitor and leader on the court. This year he has taken his game to the next level.
Under Mike D'Antoni's fast-paced system, Felton has surged, scoring 17.6 points per game and dishing out 8.8 assists in 41 games. What stands out most about his play is his toughness. He backs down from nothing and loves having the crunch-time opportunity to lead his team to victory.
Even with the possible opportunity to get Chris Paul this coming offseason, the Knicks might be happier signing Carmelo Anthony and having their big three include Felton.
Landry Fields' IQ
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Taken in the second round (ninth pick) in this past year's NBA Draft out of Stanford, Fields wasn't praised by fans considering nobody knew him. Scouted as being a smart player and a good teammate, fans were skeptical.
He has proved everyone wrong and done an astounding job as the spot-starting small forward, always playing big minutes. Averaging 10.1 points and 7.4 rebounds, his numbers aren't breathtaking but in watching his style of play, he is always in the right place for a rebound or a steal, along with the occasional alley-oop.
He has made himself an integral part of the team's future.
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Wilson Chandler Having a Career Year
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In the final year of his contract, Chandler is playing with steam. Having improved in each of his first three seasons, Chandler is averaging 17.4 points and 6.3 assists, along with 1.4 blocks. More importantly, he has embraced the role of shooting guard, albeit playing his standard small-forward as well.
He has consistently hit the mid-range jump shot and has become more aggressive in the lane, driving whenever he can. This offseason should be interesting.
Toughness
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With the addition of Ronny Turiaf down low and Amar'e Stoudemire, this team has gained toughness and backs down from no team. In rough games against the Heat and the Celtics, the Knicks battle every night and play hard regardless of the situation. In the past, the team was heart-wrenching to watch because of the consistently loose and lenient play displayed. Times have changed.
Danilo Gallinari Finds His Aggression
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The league is aware of Gallinari's shot and his 3.84 career three point shooting percentage, but that isn't what has propelled Gallinari to a great improvement this year. Seemingly close to stardom, albeit some injury problems, he has averaged 15.2 points this year and 4.5 rebounds and has consistently looked to drive the lane and take on larger defenders, a style he seemed hesitant to approach in the past. With some more seasoning, Gallinari will look to become the next Peja Stojakovic.
Walsh's Style
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As soon as he was hired, Walsh traded away high-priced contracts, such as Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford, for players with expiring contracts in the summer of 2010. After starting to rebuild the salary cap situation, he was ready to make a splash in the summertime, only to be rejected by LeBron. He then signed Amar'e Stoudemire for five years/$100 million.
He has transformed the Knicks into a tough and hard-nosed team that fights and plays smart. They aren't quite there yet, but close. Most importantly, Walsh hasn't forced the Carmelo Anthony issue. Instead of trading his young players for Carmelo this year, Walsh seems inclined to wait until the summer and sign Carmelo as a free agent. Carmelo has made it clear he wants to come to New York so Walsh is smart to wait it out.
Good things come to those who wait.
The Fans Are Alive
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The omnipresent Spike Lee has been there through the bad times and is now witnessing change. Even though Knicks games have always sold tickets, fans began to dread the games in the past few years, with Madison Square Garden always ready for a loss.
The fans are now back and cheering their team hard. It's good for the fans and it's good for the NBA. David Stern should be shaking Amar'e Stoudemire's large hand. The Knicks are back and will only improve.
Future Looks Bright: Draft Picks
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With second round pick and Syracuse product Andy Rautins, and Anthony Randolph both riding the bench this season, there has been an infusion of youth. The Knicks also haven't had a first round draft pick since the BAA merged with the NBL to form the NBA.
This is the Knicks' only pick in the first round since Gallinari in 2008, when they took him sixth overall. They have a bright future ahead and will look to draft smart ballplayers like Landry Fields. That's as long as they don't trade them away again.
Also noteworthy is the fact that Eddy Curry's contract is expiring this offseason, giving the Knicks some crucial cap room.
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