New York Knicks, It's Time to Run and Gun

With a new season around the corner, the New York Knicks look to start fresh with a new coach and a new style of play.

Mike D'Antoni, who was hired this offseason by Donnie Walsh to replace Isiah Thomas, brings to New York the same "run and gun" offense he used to make Phoenix into an offensive juggernaut.

The Suns that D'Antoni left had four-straight 50-win seasons, including three division titles. Though they did not win a championship or even get in the Finals, they are still definitely one of the biggest crowd-pleasers in the NBA.  

However, D'Antoni is unproven with this Knicks squad, which has much less star power than the Suns had.  The Suns were led by two-time MVP Steve Nash, and had Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, and Leandro Barbosa.

This New York roster is of a much different make, full of mediocre players.  But with a possible trade in the works sending Zach Randolph to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Knicks will be a better candidate for D'Antoni's offense.  

The Knicks open the 2008 season at home against the Miami Heat, a sure battle and test.  New York will have to be able to contain Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley, Udonis Haslem, and Alonzo Mourning.

The Knicks then travel to Philly to take on the new look Sixers.  The added firepower there will hurt the Knicks' chances at even making it a game. The next two games are at MSG and both are winnable games against the Bucks and Bobcats.

By then the month of November is underway and the Knicks have six home games against Utah, Oklahoma City, Dallas, Washington, Cleveland, and Golden State.  In between those are six away games at Washington, San Antonio, Memphis, Boston, Milwaukee, and Detroit.

Out of the 14 games in November the Knicks will be, realistically, 3-11.  

December doesn't look to be any easier. There are nine away games against play-off teams such as, Cleveland, Atlanta, New Jersey, Phoenix, LA Lakers, and Boston.  The five home games are a split. They will face Portland and Detroit before departing for the five-game road trip, then come back to face Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Denver.

Of those 14 games the Knicks better hope they can go 3-11.  

After a small break for New Years, which they will undoubtedly need, they have two home games with Indiana and Boston before heading on the road for four.  They will face Dallas, Houston, and New Orleans.

Over the course of January, they will have a home and away series with Washington and a four-game homestand.  In past years, the Knicks have had a small winning streak in January, and it's entirely possible because January looks to be their easiest month.  Once January comes to a close, they will have gone 7-9 in their best month yet.  

February is the month of the All-Star Game, meaning fewer games.  New York will play 13 games, with eight of those at The Garden.  Jamal Crawford deserves to be an All-Star, but because he plays for one of the worst teams in recent years, he gets no votes.  He definitely won't get any this year when the Knicks go 1-11 in February.  

The Knicks have a jam-packed March, with five games away to start, three games away to end, and 16 in all.  This month there are not as many big name teams but the Knicks will have trouble nonetheless.  Since they aren't a play-off bound team there won't be that rush to get to get a seeding.

In the end they will have a March record of 3-13 going into April, with anywhere from a six to 10-game losing streak.

April will be a blessing for the Knicks, but they won't be able to leave the season without playing six play-off destined teams to finish.  At best they will finish April 2-5, but only if they are lucky.  

Come season's end, the Knicks will have compiled a record with about 19-29 wins and 53-63 losses.  This may not be the season Donnie Walsh wants, but it's a step in the right direction.