Bad News Knicks, Players Sick, Injured, and Out of Shape

Another year and the same old story for the Knick players. Just when the New York fans thought they had something to cheer about with a new coach and new management, the same old Knick players showed up with their antics. No wonder Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni are trying to rid themselves of this entire roster and start from scratch.

According to the New York Post, Eddy Curry showed up to training camp out shape. Shocking, I know. How bad is it? Jerome James came to camp in better shape and made it through the first practice. Jerome James, the same man who the Knicks were praying/persuading to retire! Nothing makes a better impression with your first year coach than showing up to camp out of shape on the first day.

What is laughable is it actually gets worse. It turns out Curry contracted a bacterial infection as well, and he will miss the remainder of training camp. Part of me thinks he injected himself with the virus in order to not have to participate in camp. At least D’Antoni still has his sense of humor. He says regarding Curry’s infection:

“It could be a blessing in disguise. Throwing up is a good way to lose weight.”

In further Knick news from training camp, the “Italian Stallion” and first round pick Danilo Gallinari will miss all of training camp and all of the preseason with a back injury. Some would say things are not lookiing up for the Knicks, but I would be cautious in rushing to that conclusion. Yes, they have already had some set backs but nobody is expecting anything out of the Knicks this year.

It hurts Gallinari’s development by not participating in camp, but he is only 19 years old and there will be plenty of training camps for him to partake in. It is more important that he is healthy.

The goal of the Knicks this year is to change their mentality. They will not be looking to keep many of these players around, but they need to change the atmosphere around the organization from negative to positive. I believe they have already made great strides with the new management and new coaching staff that was brought in.

Even though they only signed one player who will get minutes this year in Chris Duhon, he  brings a good character and a solid work ethic. He may not be the flashiest point guard, but he is solid and perhaps the best point guard on the team already.

I look for Jamal Crawford to step up his game as well and why not. D’Antoni’s system is perfect for Crawford and deep down Crawford should see huge dollar signs on what can come out of playing well under D’Antoni. Look at Joe Johnson as an example, who was in a supporting role with Suns, and then signed a 5 year $70 million contract with the Hawks. Crawford is not on the level of Johnson, but he does have a ton of talent and needs let it out.

Overall, the Knicks will be better this year. Heck, that really isn’t saying much for a team that finished with only 23 wins last year. I guess you could call me Mr. Obvious.

They will win a few more games and think they finish with approximately 30 wins. What will be more important is for them to be able to evaluate their talent, change the attitude of the team, and see who they want on their roster when Lebron James comes to town in 2010. Yes, I am already predicting he goes and you can tell everybody you heard it here first.

The Knicks rebuilding project should have started years ago, but now this is year one. With this team of guys, I question whether we get out of the recession first or the Knicks make the playoffs first?