New York Summer
The Knicks await another chance next year
Thomas Sodano
Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Sports
After finishing the 2008-09 season with a record of 32-50, the Knicks will be watching the playoffs from home this year. Despite the losing record, however, it is definitely safe to say that the Knickerbockers are finally moving their team in the right direction. And that hasn't been the case for many long New York years.
Head Coach Mike D'Antoni and President Donnie Walsh took on a difficult job this past year when they assumed control of a dilapidated Knicks squad, a team that hadn't reached the playoffs since 2003-04. With the starting five uncertain virtually until opening day and the future of the team resting on the back of D'Antoni's fast action offense, no one knew what to expect from this year's Knicks. What they got was a young, hungry team on the verge of something significant.
But 32-50 still sucks. Seriously. That being said, after a late season push for the playoffs, the team only missed the eighth and final spot of the postseason by seven games. Perhaps that says something unfortunate about the Eastern Conference, but for the Knicks it means there's plenty of room for growth and success next season.
The fact is, there is a .500 team somewhere in the fray of potential that is the Knicks roster. D'Antoni and Walsh are calmly searching for the formula. The funny thing about all of the Knicks' players, however, is that no one is safe. With Nate Robinson and David Lee becoming restricted free agents this summer, the very core of the new New York Knicks is up in the air. But I don't think that's a bad thing. The whole reason the Knicks were headed in the right direction this year was because they weren't afraid to make changes. And they will make many changes this summer.
The Knicks, like every other NBA team without a definitive superstar, are waiting to bear the fruits of the glorified 2010 free agent tree. So whatever changes the Knicks do make this offseason, they will be made with salary cap in mind. But the fact remains that this city is impatient and a six-year playoff drought just doesn't sound suitable. Look for familiar faces next year as Robinson, Lee, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari all seem to be part of the bigger picture. But don't be surprised to see some new talent next year as the Garden longs to offer more cheers than boos.
Head Coach Mike D'Antoni and President Donnie Walsh took on a difficult job this past year when they assumed control of a dilapidated Knicks squad, a team that hadn't reached the playoffs since 2003-04. With the starting five uncertain virtually until opening day and the future of the team resting on the back of D'Antoni's fast action offense, no one knew what to expect from this year's Knicks. What they got was a young, hungry team on the verge of something significant.
But 32-50 still sucks. Seriously. That being said, after a late season push for the playoffs, the team only missed the eighth and final spot of the postseason by seven games. Perhaps that says something unfortunate about the Eastern Conference, but for the Knicks it means there's plenty of room for growth and success next season.
The fact is, there is a .500 team somewhere in the fray of potential that is the Knicks roster. D'Antoni and Walsh are calmly searching for the formula. The funny thing about all of the Knicks' players, however, is that no one is safe. With Nate Robinson and David Lee becoming restricted free agents this summer, the very core of the new New York Knicks is up in the air. But I don't think that's a bad thing. The whole reason the Knicks were headed in the right direction this year was because they weren't afraid to make changes. And they will make many changes this summer.
The Knicks, like every other NBA team without a definitive superstar, are waiting to bear the fruits of the glorified 2010 free agent tree. So whatever changes the Knicks do make this offseason, they will be made with salary cap in mind. But the fact remains that this city is impatient and a six-year playoff drought just doesn't sound suitable. Look for familiar faces next year as Robinson, Lee, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari all seem to be part of the bigger picture. But don't be surprised to see some new talent next year as the Garden longs to offer more cheers than boos.
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