Can The New York Knicks Make A Playoff Spot Next Year?

The New York Knicks have not made the NBA playoffs since 2003–04 season under Lenny Wilkens, when they were swept by the New Jersey Nets in the first round.

Needless to say, since then I haven't been a happy camper, seeing my team crumble each year. But with Isiah and Marbury gone, the Knicks should have a better shot of making the playoffs, right?

I would certainly have to say that the Knicks were pretty exciting to watch under Mike D'Antoni this year. We are doing a great job with knocking down the salary cap to go after the big names in the summer of 2010, but the Knicks need to make the playoffs next year to be able to draw the big names in and make a run deep into the playoffs.

However, I honestly don't believe D'Antoni's system can get the Knicks into the playoffs. Yes, the Phoenix Suns were very successful with it, but the Knicks don't have players like Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire, and Shawn Marion.

In the East it's all about playing defense, and with D'Antoni's system, I don't believe the run-and-gun offense will get this New York team far. The Knicks were always known for being a tough bunch of guys that love to play defense, but through the years philosophy and personal change.

If the Knicks still have Mike D'Antoni as their head coach in the summer of 2010, then we have to go after guys that can shoot and make plays to get far in the playoffs. Hopefully it can work, but if he is not there, we have to go after coaches that know how to coach defense and get the right guys to play it.

The Knicks need to get lucky and make the playoffs next year to get some big names, or the Knicks need to look for a defensive coach and win the hard way—like the old days.