Eddy Curry emerged as a legit low post scorer (19.5 ppg) and David Lee came off the bench to average a double double (10.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg) on 60% shooting. The much maligned draft pick of Renaldo Balkman proved to be the exact type of player that the Knicks needed to be the glue guy for this team. Stephon Marbury quit trying to be "Starbury" and actually deferred to his teammates for once. Nate Robinson and Channing Frye helped provide some scoring off the bench combining for 19.6 points per game. The Knicks bought into Isiah's system early on and fought for his job.
What Went Wrong?
3 things: 1) Injuries ravaged the team, 2) they brawled against Denver and suffered suspensions for it, and 3) the Knicks realized that they were the Knicks after Isiah received his contract extension. Jamal Crawford missed 23 games. Quentin Richardson missed 33 games. Steve Francis missed 38 games and considered retiring. David Lee missed 24 games. Nate Robinson missed 18 games. The Knicks decided to have the lamest fight in NBA history with the Denver Nuggets. But most importantly, after Isiah was given his extension in March, the team had nothing left to fight for. This squad has always been so arrogant that they believed they would be given a playoff spot. But they played hard because they wanted to keep Zeke around. Had the contract extension been given after the regular season, the Knicks probably would have played hard through the end of the year and made the playoffs over the Magic.
Off-Season Overview
It was quite the tumultuous off-season. As documented here, Stephon Marbury lost his damn mind. Then Isiah Thomas and MSG were hit with an eye-opening and discrediting sexual harrassment lawsuit that they lost to the former Knicks' employee. But it wasn't all that bad. They pulled off a huge trade on draft night and brought in another low post scorer that they desperately needed.
Players Added- Power Forward Zach Randolph (Trade, Portland), Shooting Guard Fred Jones (Trade, Portland), Small Forward Wilson Chandler (Draft)
Players Lost- Guard Steve Francis (Trade, Portland), Power Forward Channing Frye (Trade, Portland), Point Guard Dan Dickau (Waived)
Phil Barnett's Impact Players-
Despite Stephon Marbury, the man talkhoops.net editor Zach Harper loathes with all his might, still starting at the point, this Knicks team has a legitimate shot at a playoff spot. They pose huge match up problems down low, which could open up the game for the shifty guards on the parameter.
Breakout Player: Don’t let Mardy Collins’ numbers fool you. This guy can flat out play. When he got an opportunity to get on the floor he produced. Because of injuries Collins started the final nine games for the Knickerbockers and averaged 14.8 points and 5.8 assists during that stretch. Look for him to put up great numbers off the bench this year.
Disappointing Player: I like Jamal Crawford, but his often-sporadic play could cost the Knicks some possessions this season. Although he can heat up and put up big numbers, his shot selection is usually terrible, he turns the ball over way too much and plays defense only a bit better than Allen Houston did.
FantasyInsideronline.com Fantasy Sleeper
Mardy Collins, Point Guard- Mr. Barnett had it right; it's going to be Mardy Collins. After the Knicks added Dan Dickau in the Zach Randolph trade, they waived him in a cost cutting move leaving them with Nate Robinson as the backup point guard. Well, even the Knicks aren't that inept to have Nate be the backup to Stephon so they'll give Mardy Collins the chance to win the job. He will win the job and play meaningful and productive minutes for the Knicks. If you are in a deep league and need some help off the bench at point guard, grab Mardy Collins.
Best-Case Scenario
Zach Randolph provides the go-to scorer that the Knicks haven't had since Patrick Ewing got old and he leads them into the playoffs. He and Eddy Curry are able to provide the Knicks with the inside-outside attack that Tim Duncan and an aging David Robinson were able to provide in the Admiral's last season. They muzzle Stephon and don't allow him to talk all year long. Quentin Richardson and Jamal Crawford stay healthy and provide the Knicks with a deadly outside attack.
Worst Case Scenario
They realize that they're still the Knicks and still have Stephon Marbury as the "leader" of this franchise. The big men can't play any defense and the Knicks give up well over 100 points per game. The backup point guard problem doesn't get solved and the Knicks' bench can't provide any scoring or continuity while the starter's rest. They miss the playoffs for 4th straight year and the Knicks' management decide to just eat the money and fire Isiah Thomas.
Talkhoops.net Prediction- 4th in Division, 9th in East
I think it's going to be closer to the worst case scenario than the best. I don't see the Knicks having enough defense to secure a playoff spot. Stephon Marbury and Jamal Crawford can't stop anybody from driving on the perimeter and once the offensive players in the paint, Curry and Randolph have very little chance of stopping them. The Knicks will be improved on offense with the offensive attack of Zach Randolph but it won't be enough to carry this bad Knicks team.