The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

[ehh]

After two years of hype and hope, the free agency period of 2010 has finally passed. Despite our failure to land LeBron or Wade, we improved our team for both the immediate and distant future. We aren't going to be title contenders but we should be a playoff team and most importantly, there will be respectable basketball being played in The Garden once again.

Additions:

Amare Stoudamire
Raymond Felton
Timofey Mozgov
Anthony Randolph
Kelena Azabuike
Ronny Turiaf
Andy Rautins
Landry Fields
Jerome Jordan*

Departures:

David Lee
Tracy McGrady
Chris Duhon
Al Harrington
Eddie House
Jonathan Bender
Earl Barron
Sergio Rodriguez

[ex carrabba fan]

Might be reborn, but it still came out lookin damn ugly

JK

What will the depth chart look like? I don't think I would consider them a strong candidate for the playoffs this year, however it is certainly possible.

Miami, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta

After that the playoff picture is wide open. I like NJ, Washington, Charlotte, and Philly to claim the last seeds before NY.

Felton, Gallo, Chandler, Amare, Turiaf
Douglas, Azibuike, Fields, Randolph

I just don't think you guys are gonna do much, yet.

[NYJets]

It's weird I have the Yankees who are the heavy favorites to repeat, the Jets who should contend for a superbowl, and UConn football who should have their best team ever before the NBA starts, but I'm most looking forward to basketball, just knowing that for the first time in almost 10 years there's reason to be optimistic.

Hard to figure a win total with so many young players, and so many new players. Only a couple really proven players, but loads of potential. We should at least contend for a playoff spot since the East is weak, but if a few players like Gallo or Randolph really break out, or Felton improves in D'Antoni's system, we could be pretty good.

[ehh]

Quote: Originally Posted by ex carrabba fan

After that the playoff picture is wide open. I like NJ, Washington, Charlotte, and Philly to claim the last seeds before NY.

I don't know about any of those teams.

Charlotte lost Felton and Chandler and added Ty Thomas. I don't know about Augustin being the man at the point all year.

The Nets had the worst summer out of any team with cap space and even though their record last year had a lot to do with injuries I don't see them moving up into the post season this year. Harris/Lee/Outlaw/Lopez/? I don't think Favors will contribute this year. They added depth but I don't think they have the firepower at the top. I don't see that as a playoff team.

Philly is up in the air, a lot of people seem to think that Turner and Iggy won't mesh. Dalembert is a scrub but he gave them D at the rim and rebounding. Can Hawes fill that void? Jrue/Turner/Iggy/Thad/Nocioni/Lou Williams/Willie Green. That's a lot of of perimeter players needing time. Brand isn't getting back to his old form. They basically made the Dalembert trade and drafted Turner - not sure if that's enough. I don't know, I'm not sold on Philly.

Washington could be a sleeper if Arenas bounces back well. It's also a crowded back court with Gil, Wall and Hinrich. Wall/Arenas/Thornton/Yi/McGee. That has potential.

I'm hoping we're the 7th seed and DC is the 8th. We'll see.

[ehh]

Quote: Originally Posted by NYJets

It's weird I have the Yankees who are the heavy favorites to repeat, the Jets who should contend for a superbowl, and UConn football who should have their best team ever before the NBA starts, but I'm most looking forward to basketball, just knowing that for the first time in almost 10 years there's reason to be optimistic. Hard to figure a win total with so many young players, and so many new players. Only a couple really proven players, but loads of potential. We should at least contend for a playoff spot since the East is weak, but if a few players like Gallo or Randolph really break out, or Felton improves in D'Antoni's system, we could be pretty good.

Tell me about it man, I couldn't even legally drink the last time I was excited for a Knicks season to begin.

The youth and 'newness' of our roster will lead to some road bumps but we improved in so many ways.

Felton >>>>>>>>>>> Doo-Doo-hahn. Just stop and think that Chris f'n Duhon was our starting PG...in D'Antoni's offense no less.
Chandler - Chandler is what he is IMO, I don't think he'll improve or end up starting
Gallo will be a year older and have a full season under his belt. It will be interesting to see what he does with a real PG and great offensive PF as teammates.
Amare > Lee
Turiaf > Take your pick: Barron, Curry, Bender

Our bench now has some guys who do something besides simply jack up 3's (Harrington, House, etc). AR, Douglas and Kelana are a much better 6-8 than we've had recently. Timofey will be good for six hard fouls and probably nothing else outside of unintentional comedy.

Is it enough for the playoffs? I think it will be based on our improvements and the other movement that happened in the East.

[ex carrabba fan]

I forgot about MIL too, I think they go back to the playoffs for sure.

So that leaves two spots open.

There's just no wow factor for this group. I am hoping they can land another big fish next year.. right now they just don't do it for me.

Turiaf as a starter is gross. Chandler seems more like a bench player to me as well.

I really want NY to be relevant again but the summer was underwhelming for them outside the fact that they can probably afford to bring a star in next summer.

[Jeffx]

Quote: Originally Posted by ehh

Is it enough for the playoffs? I think it will be based on our improvements and the other movement that happened in the East.

Only if they play defense, which I doubt will happen with D'Anfoni.

[Aces15]

I'm just excited to see if we can pull together a season that doesn't include 20 different starting lineups, 15 game losing streaks, and FINALLY no more dumping of salaries.

Just give me some good basketball, please.