Knicks 2008-09 Preview: Donnie Walsh Can Save New York Basketball

Updated 9/4/08

This year, I have a few more fearless projections and suggestions—take that, Clyde Frazier—for fans and management, respectively.

Let’s start with the projections. Last year, my player projections were pretty accurate.

I was tough on all of the Knicks who ended up being terrible (see Richardson, Q.)—but did not anticipate how the coaching and injuries could help the team lose even more games than the 2006-2007 season.

This year, let’s start off with the win total—34. Now, how can the Knicks achieve that record?

Last year was filled with an unprecedented level of drama, with a coach spending the entire year on the hot seat, a sexual harassment scandal, an unhappy “star” point guard who mysteriously left the team to have surgery, trade rumors, and various in-team scuffles.

The Knicks used 31 different lineups last season, an unheard of count, unless you’re the 2005-2006 Knicks who used 42 different lineups.

This year, stability alone should bring the team back to its play of two years ago. Unfortunately, much of the Eastern Conference has improved.

Elton Brand brings a low-post presence to Philly. Toronto has a new center, and Indiana found a new point guard. Atlanta can look forward to improvement by the young guys, but losing Childress hurts more than people think. Even Charlotte might improve.

The Knicks, though, are unlikely to notice any improvement from their own players. Not a single Knick has improved while in the league, which might be a sign that the coaching staff was terrible. This year, Mike D’Antoni’s high-octane offensive approach should increase scoring and raise morale. If that translates to more wins, then great.

Now, can the Knicks win more than 34 games? That will take a real effort to trade the trash and find new roles for others.

Jerome James and Malik Rose have no good reason to take up a spot on the bench. Jerome is on par with Carl Pavano, in terms of free-agent signings who never play.

Rose no longer has the athleticism to overcome his height limitations, so his career should be done. The Knicks release them both and find some NBDL talent or summer league players to take their spots.

Jared Jeffries and Mardy Collins are both brick layers, but at least Jeffries knows not to even try to shoot. Collins has no offensive ability, and rarely looks to pass, even though he plays point guard.

They should play more than 10 minutes a game. Trade either of them, maybe for a second-round pick if possible.

Eddy Curry needs to get in shape and be removed from the game whenever he does not show effort on the boards. Send him to Tim Grover, who runs the famous A.T.T.A.C.K. training facility, to improve his quickness.

Not many teams would want to trade for Curry, but these teams might bite: Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Dallas, Minnesota, and Memphis. Curry could give the Thunder some rumble.

Lee needs to work harder on his defense and shooting. Every season he says he’s been working on his shot, but we never see any improvement.

If D’Antoni can get Nate Robinson to share the ball, the Knicks might have a new starting point guard.

Trades

These trades were verified in the ESPN trade machine

1. Eddy Curry and Quentin Richardson for Darko Milicic, Marko Jaric, and Javaris Crittenton

A deal that might make everyone happy. Darko can fit in better in New York than in Memphis, and might finally blossom into a good player. His blocks would be a welcome addition.

Marko and Javaris would bring more point-guard options to the Knicks, and help solve the Grizzlies’ glut at the position. Quentin should be a more attractive trade target for opposing teams since he has lost weight and has excelled in D’Antoni’s system before.

The Knicks reportedly are interested in trading Zach Randolph for Milicic and Jaric, but the above trade would be better.

2. Anthony Roberson for Marcin Gortat

The Knicks could use a backup center, and get rid of Jerome James.They were probably too quick to sign Roberson, too.

or

Jared Jeffries and Nate Robinson for J.J. Redick and Tony Battie

3. Zach Randolph, Mardy Collins, lottery protected draft pick for Marcus Camby and Jason Hart

Addition by subtraction. The Knicks would like the cap relief and the subtraction of a bad influence. The Clippers can use a low-post scorer now that Elton Brand has departed for greener pastures.

The Knicks would reunite with Camby, who helped them reach the finals in 1999. Hart is mostly in the deal to make the salaries work.

or

Zach Randolph for Ben Wallace

The Knicks really need someone who can play defense, cares about staying in shape, and can be considered a center. Not only does Wallace fit that criteria, but his contract also is a year shorter than Randolph’s. Cleveland could want another PF who can score, since they don’t have much there right now.

Randolph could play a Carlos Boozer-type role.

Photo by Greg Nelson/SI

4. Stephon Marbury for anything

Even if he is talented, motivated, and ready for a fresh start, everyone else on the team wants him gone. If they can get any sort of productivity out of him, that would be fantastic and they can disregard this idea.

With some serious luck, the Knicks can trot out a starting 5 of Duhon, Crawford, Chandler, Lee, and Camby with a bench of Gallinari, Milicic, Nate Robinson, Jared Jeffries, Marcin Gortat, Jaric, Ewing Jr. and Crittenton. They would have cap flexibility almost immediately, as well as a 2010 pick, when they can go after free agents.

I pencil that team in for 37 wins based on the potential of the young guns, the new coach, and the strength of the bench. They need a more effective point guard in order to really compete.

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