Where the New York Knicks Go From Here

With the NBA season winding down, most teams are looking ahead—i.e. to the playoffs. The dregs of the league are also looking to the future...but that future involves next season, not next month.

On Friday, the New York Knicks were officially eliminated from playoff contention in a 100-86 loss to the New Jersey Nets. Disappointment aside, the game provided a window on which players the Knicks can build around, which players can be contributing pieces, and which players should be banished to other teams.

The first focus of this article will be the first focus of the Knicks offense: Eddy Curry.

Curry faced a hard double team only once against the Nets—and almost threw a pass out of bounds because of it. Mostly, the Nets trusted Jason Collins to bang around with the big fella. When Curry caught the ball in the post, here's what transpired:

• Curry backed Collins into the paint and executed a feathery jump hook in traffic.
• Curry battled hard for position while backing down Collins, drawing a foul with a baseline spin.
• Curry executed a powerful hop-step into the lane for a basket.
• Curry caught the ball farther away than he wanted to, and fouled Collins when attempting a spin.
• Curry slammed home an alley-oop when fronted in the post.
• Curry completely overwhelmed Collins with a powerful back-down. When Curry spun, Collins was so off-balance that he stumbled away awkwardly—which the refs wrongly interpreted as an offensive foul on Curry.

When Curry wasn't in the post, he took three jumpers and hit two. The first attempt was rushed, and bricked badly; the second was patient and split the net; the third was good even with Collins' hand slapping Curry's wrist.

Curry's screens were generally decent, but New Jersey knew the big man wasn't going to hit jumpers on the move and thus doubled the ball carrier on every pick. He was also well short on all his free throw attempts—but seems to have the appropriate spin on the ball when he shoots. If nothing else, he's more refined than the Shaqs and Ben Wallaces of the league.     

Curry's defense, on the other hand, is easy for even the most rudimentary basketball fan to analyze: He doesn't jump! Ever!     

On one Richard Jefferson drive, Curry never made an attempt to challenge the shot. When Jefferson drove again, Curry stepped up but didn't adjust to Jefferson's midair extension. On another possession, Mikki Moore nailed a simple turnaround jumper while Curry stayed landlocked.     

Curry's lack of movement hurt on the boards, too, because any rebound that didn't fall right into his lap was gobbled up by Jason Kidd. Curry needs to get better at chasing down loose balls against teams with rebounding guards.     

Curry's offseason emphasis should start with footwork and explosiveness. While he showed tremendous patience, wily post defenders can anticipate Curry's deliberate movements and draw charges. As dynamic a force as he can become, though, he's definitely a player the Knicks will look to build around.     

It's hard to say as much for Channing Frye, who was a complete dud against the Nets. His offense involved hoisting elbow jumpers whenever he got the ball and...well, that's pretty much it. Whenever he tried to get post position on either Collins or Moore, he was bullied out of the paint.         

Frye isn't a shot blocker either. The one time he attempted a block, Vince Carter executed a simple head fake to finish and draw a foul. And his man defense was terrible: He was sucked into the paint by Kidd at one point and couldn't close back on Moore for a jumper, and was later backed down by Moore as he turned and hit a soft hook. Factor in a measly three boards, and the performance just plain screams "soft."    

The bottom line: Frye is nothing more than a simple pick-and-pop jump shooter—and there are far better options in the league. He's one player who should be banished.     

The same goes for Jared Jeffries, whose offense was painful to watch. His shots were forced, he dribbles too high, and he lacks any discernible offensive skills.

A defensive specialist, you say? Jeffries gave up far too much room to Carter and Jefferson, allowing both of them to hit jumpers face all game long. He was also a step behind every drive.

The real truth? If Jeffries were two inches shorter, he wouldn't even be in the league right now.     

Steve Francis forced a few shots but knocked down his open looks. He also forced a number of drives—though some of his kick-outs did produce points for his teammates.

On defense, Francis was lost in the Knicks zone, and failed to challenge any jump shot in his vicinity. In fact, he may be the worst defensive player in the league. If the Knicks ever want to succeed in the postseason, Steve Franchise is another guy who's got to go.     

Mardy Collins was a no-name draft pick for the Knicks last summer—but other than Curry, he's the only player in the Knicks starting lineup who can contribute on a winning team.

Against the Nets, Collins never forced his offense. He was able to absorb contact and draw fouls down low, and managed to find teammates when passing on the move. With the first half winding down, he was even able to back Kidd into the post before hitting a nasty fall away jumper.     

Collins' defense was also solid. On one possession, Kidd tried to go baseline, only to be shut off when Collins shuffled his feet. The result: a forced pass that was intercepted by Nate Robinson.

As an added bonus, Collins collected nine rebounds. With Curry and Frye both so inept on the boards, Collins' ability to track down loose balls is a huge plus. He's a definite keeper.     

Malik Rose was also outstanding—most significantly with his crisp entry passes to Curry, which yielded three dunks for the big man.  On one play, Rose missed a long jumper but followed his shot and stuffed home the rebound. He was also able to steal a skip pass late in the game, and he even knocked down a corner three.

Rose's savvy is a perfect complement to Eddy Curry's game—and as long as Curry is a Knick, Rose should be too.     

The only player I can't get a read on is Nate Robinson. He's a punk and a narcissist, but his athleticism and open-court ability are phenomenal.

Against the Nets, he abused Marcus Williams with crossovers and pull-up jumpers, but was limited when Kidd guarded him. In a perfect world, Robinson would be a third or fourth guard brought in to wreak havoc against inferior backup defenders. As it is, he's earned at least a one-year reprieve—but like any wild dog, he should be kept on a short leash.

And one hint for true Knicks fans concerning the draft: Of the last five Knicks draft picks, the best three were booed (David Lee, Renaldo Balkman, and Collins), while a cream-puff  (Frye) and a headcase (Robinson) got raucous ovations.

If the boo-birds turn out in Madison Square Garden come June, you know the Knicks are probably headed in the right direction.