30 Teams in 30 Days: New York Knicks

2007-2008 In Review

Record: 23-59
Eastern Conference Seed: 14

Summer Of 2008

Key Additions: Mike D’Antoni (via coaching change), Danilo Gallinari (via draft), Chris Duhon (via free agency), Anthony Roberson (via free agency).

Key Losses: Isiah Thomas (via coaching change), Fred Jones (via free agency), Renaldo Balkman (via trade), Randolph Morris (via free agency).

The Isiah Thomas era in New York has officially, and finally, come to a close, as the Knicks signed head coach Mike D’Antoni to a four-year deal in early May. Kicking Isiah out of town is clearly a positive step forward, but did they bring in the right replacement?

In his six years of head coaching experience in the NBA, D’Antoni has held a more than respectable 267-172 (.608) regular season record, and has reached back-to-back Conference Finals series’ (2005 and 2006). Along with those credentials, however, come questions regarding his ability to make adjustments and lead a team to the next level. With his new surroundings, he’ll have even more to prove.

Skeptics are uncertain of the fit and when dissecting it from multiple angles, it’s tough to blame them.

Team Direction/Personnel: D’Antoni is evidently a coach that has adopted the run n’ gun style and has yet to show that he is able to adjust to a contrasting setting. He is a coach that requires the proper personnel to operate his system.

The New York Knicks defy everything D’Antoni is known for. One thing D’Antoni needs is a reliable point guard to set the tone. Stephon Marbury certainly has the talent to do so, but his mental antics and me-first mentality contradict the type of initiator D’Antoni needs.

Moving down the roster, a Mike D’Antoni system needs a collective group of athletes willing to get out in the open floor and push the tempo at all times. Looking at New York’s top options, it’s clear that they do not have that. Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph have absolutely no desire to get in shape and might even be unable to run unless they are racing for a whopper. Even then, they might stop halfway and wind up splitting the burger.

Some of New York’s athletic role players, such as Wilson Chandler, David Lee, and Nate Robinson, will provide exactly what D’Antoni is looking for, but when you’re big money-makers don’t fit the bill, you may have some issues spreading around touches to make everyone happy.

Overall, this roster lacks the mental and physical needs to suit D’Antoni’s body of work. The players may enjoy the “shoot within seven seconds” memo, especially Jamal Crawford, but they may not have the wheels or will power to get the job done as a group.

Defense: The biggest issues in New York have been here for many years. Logically, it makes sense to bring in a defensive-minded coach to ameliorate the problem. Unfortunately, Knicks General Manager Donnie Walsh appears to disagree.

Throughout his career, Mike D’Antoni has not shown the ability or desire to teach defensive basketball, which is likely the biggest reason why he left Phoenix, and it is now definite that the Knicks will continue their struggles in that area.

Financially: This simply digs a deeper hole for the franchise with the league’s largest payroll. In addition to their cast of overpaid scoundrels in uniform, the Knicks are now paying a one-dimensional head coach roughly $24 million to coach a team lacking direction or the necessary pieces to adapt to his methods.

If you’re going to spend this kind of money on a coach, why not wait until the team’s direction is defined with light at the end of the tunnel? The Knicks are in a dark tunnel with instability poisoning the organization across the board.

They did, however, manage to make one high-upside acquisition. The Knicks drafted Italian sensation Danilo Gallinari with the sixth overall selection in June’s draft. The 6’8’’ forward is said to have outstanding athletic ability, superb ball skills, a beautiful stroke, and some have gone as far as saying that he has star potential.

Time will tell on Gallinari, but let’s point out that Jerryd Bayless was available, and staring New York right in the eyes. The point guard product of Arizona would have been a near-perfect fit in D’Antoni’s high-powered offense. If he was so fond of Leandro Barbosa in Phoenix, it’s difficult to understand why the likes of Bayless was passed on in the draft.

To fill that guard void, the Knicks signed veteran point guard Chris Duhon to a two-year, $11.6 million contract. Financially, the deal makes sense on account of the anticipation of the 2010 free agent class. On the court, it may also be a nice fit, as Duhon is poised, experienced, unselfish, can shoot the three-ball, and brings a much-needed defensive mentality.

Duhon is expected to start for New York this coming season, making Stephon Marbury the odd man out. His future with the Knicks is about as uncertain as Marbury’s sanity; stay tuned for the outcome of that.

From Donnie Walsh to Mike D’Antoni, and Chris Duhon to Danilo Gallinari, the Knicks appear to be undergoing a great deal of change. Whether it pans out or not, change was very much needed.

Depth Chart

C: Zach Randolph / Eddy Curry / Jerome James
PF: David Lee / Jared Jeffries / Malik Rose
SF: Wilson Chandler / Danilo Gallinari
SG: Jamal Crawford / Quentin Richardson / Mardy Collins
PG: Chris Duhon / Stephon Marbury / Nate Robinson / Anthony Roberson

Biggest Strength

Talent: When you take a look at the Knicks roster, it looks more than formidable on paper. In fact, it may very well be one of the most talented teams in the Eastern Conference.

Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry, David Lee, Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph, Quentin Richardson, etc.—that’s a very, very gifted core of players. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to grow into a cohesive unit, but with a player’s coach like Mike D’Antoni that stresses to a free-flowing offense, there’s always at least a chance that something may begin to click. Don’t go out and gamble your life savings on that, but anything is possible.

Biggest Weakness

Egos: As stated above, the Knicks have one of the most talented groups in the league and have for the past few years. However, they’ve been unable to put it all together and establish a team concept because of the egos on this team. Nobody wants to play as a unit, nobody wants to work hard on defense, and nobody wants to sacrifice their own box score for the betterment of the team.

Mike D’Antoni established a winning attitude in Phoenix, but he’s really got his work cut out for him in The Big Apple.

X-Factor

Patience: The Knicks appear to at least be eying movement in the right direction, but the fans of New York will need to remain patient. This thing is not going to turn around overnight, and it may even take another couple of years before results are noticeably apparent.

Goooosfrabba, Knick fans. Goooosfrabba…

What to Expect In 2008-2009

Once again, patience is a virtue. Knicks fans have stuck it out this long; there’s no sense in giving up on the team now. This team is going to continue to struggle and possibly for another couple of years.

On the bright side, the less wins, the higher draft lottery odds. With another high draft pick or two to go along with anticipated cap space opening up within the next couple of years, the Knicks may have a chance to build a promising foundation. For now, cheer for the David Lees, the Wilson Chandlers, and the Danilo Gallinari’s of the world. A 2009 playoff berth looks to be out of the question.

Predicted Standings
23-59
5th in Atlantic Division
15th in Eastern Conference

Tomorrow: Oklahoma City Thunder