The Knicks had quite a disappointing year in terms of the talent they had on the team. The Knicks finished with a 35-47 record, which placed them ninth in a weak Eastern Conference and third in the Atlantic Division. Carmelo Anthony led the team in scoring with 27.4 a game, Tyson Chandler led the team in rebounds with 9.6 a game and Raymond Felton led the team in assists, with 5.6 a game.
The offseason began with a bang for the Knicks after they were a-part of a five man trade with Dallas. The Knicks sent Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler to the Mavs in exchange for Shane Larkin, Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert. The Mavs were the obvious winners in the trade, gaining 2013 All Star Tyson Chandler. The Knicks though, got finanical flexibility from moving both Felton and Chandler, plus an experienced PG Jose Calderon, and a bang and score C in Dalembert. Larkin is a solid pickup, but may not have the impact that the Knicks would be wanting. The other huge news was the the Knicks were able to resign Carmelo Anthony with a five year, 124 million deal. It was fantastic news for the Knicks as it seemed at times that Anthony was going to sign with Chicago or even the Lakers, but thankfully for the Knicks, he resigned which gives them the scoring punch they desperately need. The Knicks also picked up solid C Jason Smith, who has a great knack for scoring and can hit the mid range jumper consistently. As well as this, the acquisition of PF Quincy Acy went unnoticed, Acy was traded to the Knicks in August. Acy gives the Knicks a nice punch with his hustle and athleticism, he could potentially be the starting PF for the Knicks which would suit very well.
The offseason began with a bang for the Knicks after they were a-part of a five man trade with Dallas. The Knicks sent Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler to the Mavs in exchange for Shane Larkin, Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert. The Mavs were the obvious winners in the trade, gaining 2013 All Star Tyson Chandler. The Knicks though, got finanical flexibility from moving both Felton and Chandler, plus an experienced PG Jose Calderon, and a bang and score C in Dalembert. Larkin is a solid pickup, but may not have the impact that the Knicks would be wanting. The other huge news was the the Knicks were able to resign Carmelo Anthony with a five year, 124 million deal. It was fantastic news for the Knicks as it seemed at times that Anthony was going to sign with Chicago or even the Lakers, but thankfully for the Knicks, he resigned which gives them the scoring punch they desperately need. The Knicks also picked up solid C Jason Smith, who has a great knack for scoring and can hit the mid range jumper consistently. As well as this, the acquisition of PF Quincy Acy went unnoticed, Acy was traded to the Knicks in August. Acy gives the Knicks a nice punch with his hustle and athleticism, he could potentially be the starting PF for the Knicks which would suit very well.
(Picture credit to Hoops Hype)
KEY NOTE: Arnett Moultrie and Metta World Peace are no longer with the Knicks
The team that's listed is really solid when you look at it, it's full of potential. The only downfall I see is the age of majority of the players, I see five players who are already 30 years or older (Stoudemire/Anthony/Calderon/Prigioni/Dalembert), plus two players who are turning 30 this upcoming season (Smith/Bargnani), majority of these players in are their peaks and are playing to the best of their ability, but there are more injury prone now the older that they get, which may be a concern for the Knicks this year. On a positive note, the Knicks make up for these older players with majority of the rest being extremely athletic would help the Knicks if they want to play high tempo offense. It's obvious that the offense will run through Carmelo Anthony (with the new offensive strategy, the "offensive triangle", implemented by new HC, Derek Fisher), which will be predictable for defending teams, but with that added athleticism, the Knicks should feel comfortable giving the ball to other players who have the ability to run through defenses and score at the rim, a nice balance of outside shooting and inside drives is what a great team does, and if the Knicks can do this, then they should have success.
In terms of the roster and what rotations, this is what I'm predicting:
PG: Jose Calderon (Prigioni/Larkin)
SG: Iman Shumpert (Smith/Hardaway)
SF: Carmelo Anthony (Early/Wear)
PF: Quincy Acy (Stoudemire/Bargnani)
C: Samuel Dalembert (Smith/Aldrich)
The front court of the Knicks is a real weakness, Acy is athletic and determined, but I really can't see him defending well against players such as Blake Griffiin, Stoudemire and Bargnani are no longer the players they used to be and are both mainly offensive players, so at the PF position, Acy is the best option as he can play defense. Dalembert is old and can no longer run the floor very efficiently, he can block shots and grab boards though, but don't expect him to play like DeAndre Jordan... The strongest position(s) for the Knicks is obviously the SF position, plus SG, with many different options. The Knicks look as if they have a solid team, but not a team that can make a huge splash this year, I am expecting the Knicks to finish with a record of 39-43 and to secure the seventh seed.
- Daina Coulter
KEY NOTE: Arnett Moultrie and Metta World Peace are no longer with the Knicks
The team that's listed is really solid when you look at it, it's full of potential. The only downfall I see is the age of majority of the players, I see five players who are already 30 years or older (Stoudemire/Anthony/Calderon/Prigioni/Dalembert), plus two players who are turning 30 this upcoming season (Smith/Bargnani), majority of these players in are their peaks and are playing to the best of their ability, but there are more injury prone now the older that they get, which may be a concern for the Knicks this year. On a positive note, the Knicks make up for these older players with majority of the rest being extremely athletic would help the Knicks if they want to play high tempo offense. It's obvious that the offense will run through Carmelo Anthony (with the new offensive strategy, the "offensive triangle", implemented by new HC, Derek Fisher), which will be predictable for defending teams, but with that added athleticism, the Knicks should feel comfortable giving the ball to other players who have the ability to run through defenses and score at the rim, a nice balance of outside shooting and inside drives is what a great team does, and if the Knicks can do this, then they should have success.
In terms of the roster and what rotations, this is what I'm predicting:
PG: Jose Calderon (Prigioni/Larkin)
SG: Iman Shumpert (Smith/Hardaway)
SF: Carmelo Anthony (Early/Wear)
PF: Quincy Acy (Stoudemire/Bargnani)
C: Samuel Dalembert (Smith/Aldrich)
The front court of the Knicks is a real weakness, Acy is athletic and determined, but I really can't see him defending well against players such as Blake Griffiin, Stoudemire and Bargnani are no longer the players they used to be and are both mainly offensive players, so at the PF position, Acy is the best option as he can play defense. Dalembert is old and can no longer run the floor very efficiently, he can block shots and grab boards though, but don't expect him to play like DeAndre Jordan... The strongest position(s) for the Knicks is obviously the SF position, plus SG, with many different options. The Knicks look as if they have a solid team, but not a team that can make a huge splash this year, I am expecting the Knicks to finish with a record of 39-43 and to secure the seventh seed.
- Daina Coulter