We are the New York Knicks! We are the New York Knicks! Say “Go New York, Go New York, Go!” “Go New York, Go New York, Go!”
Ok, enough of that song, but what a difference a year makes. I feel bad about bashing the Knicks all pre-season and stating that I was going to leave them. This may be presumptuous, especially with the Celtics and Heat coming to town, but it looks like the Knicks have turned things around. The Knicks are currently 16-9 and have won 13 out of their last 14 and are on an eight game winning streak. The Knicks are currently tied for 5th place in the eastern conference. Granted, the Knicks have had the easiest strength of schedule in the league thus far, but it’s still an accomplishment. So, all former Knick fans that have been in hidings the past 10 years, it’s safe to return. Let’s examine why the Knicks are finally a basketball team again and all the pleasant surprises thus far.
Amare Stoudamire! Need I say more? Ok, I will. For those who haven’t noticed, he’s had eight 30 plus point games which breaks a franchise record. Before coming to the Knicks I thought Amare was a one dimensional player. A great finisher and not much else. I didn’t know if he was a max-contract guy. I really didn’t know Amare was so versatile, but he really can create his own shot. I don’t know if Amare was always this good, or if he has matured. The main thing Amare gives the Knicks is leadership. The Knicks finally have a likeable vocal leader for the team and he’s the real deal. He really is worth all the hype.
They have a real point guard. I didn’t know much about Raymond Felton at the start of the season. I figured he was a mediocre point guard. But, Felton is good. Felton can break down defenses and controls the pace of the game. Felton is averaging 18.4 points 8.7 assists and 2 steals per night.
Also, Wilson Chandler is showing healthy development and proving to be legit scorer averaging 17.3 per game. He also grabs 6 rebounds a night. He has increased his scoring every year in the league. Chandler is way ahead of most of his peers in his development being in his 3rd year.
But, the biggest surprise has been Landry Fields. You don’t normally expect much out of a mid second-round rookie, especially in a mediocre draft class, but Fields is proving the teams that passed him over wrong. He is a great rebounder from the 2 position and is leading the league in that department at 7.6 per night. Also, since Amare has been starting at center, it helps to have a 2 that can rebound. Plus, he can score, averaging 10.2. Fields does the little things that help you win games. I would feel comfortable saying he will be on the all-rookie team.
Now, we should point out the not so positives. Gallinari has been solid, but has not shown mass improvement since last season. Sure, he is getting to the line more and making more foul shots, but he really has not found his role yet. Also, Anthony Randolph has not been integrated into the team at all. Mozgov has not proven to be a diamond in the rough yet, but he still has plenty of time.
But, all the negatives aside, Knicks fans can smile again. I don’t think any Knicks fans can say that they are competing for a title yet, but the foundation is there. Also, Melo recently stated that he will only sign a contract extension with NY. Imagine this same team plus Melo. In addition to all these positives, Eddy “Sandman” Curry is finally coming off the books at the end of the season. Thank god! The future looks bright after ten years wandering around a dark tunnel. So, if any Knicks fans see Isiah Thomas hanging around the Garden, run him out of town. Walsh and D’Antoni have assembled a respectable team, and for many, you can turn on MSG again and not get sick to your stomach watching basketball.
Ok, enough of that song, but what a difference a year makes. I feel bad about bashing the Knicks all pre-season and stating that I was going to leave them. This may be presumptuous, especially with the Celtics and Heat coming to town, but it looks like the Knicks have turned things around. The Knicks are currently 16-9 and have won 13 out of their last 14 and are on an eight game winning streak. The Knicks are currently tied for 5th place in the eastern conference. Granted, the Knicks have had the easiest strength of schedule in the league thus far, but it’s still an accomplishment. So, all former Knick fans that have been in hidings the past 10 years, it’s safe to return. Let’s examine why the Knicks are finally a basketball team again and all the pleasant surprises thus far.
Amare Stoudamire! Need I say more? Ok, I will. For those who haven’t noticed, he’s had eight 30 plus point games which breaks a franchise record. Before coming to the Knicks I thought Amare was a one dimensional player. A great finisher and not much else. I didn’t know if he was a max-contract guy. I really didn’t know Amare was so versatile, but he really can create his own shot. I don’t know if Amare was always this good, or if he has matured. The main thing Amare gives the Knicks is leadership. The Knicks finally have a likeable vocal leader for the team and he’s the real deal. He really is worth all the hype.
They have a real point guard. I didn’t know much about Raymond Felton at the start of the season. I figured he was a mediocre point guard. But, Felton is good. Felton can break down defenses and controls the pace of the game. Felton is averaging 18.4 points 8.7 assists and 2 steals per night.
Also, Wilson Chandler is showing healthy development and proving to be legit scorer averaging 17.3 per game. He also grabs 6 rebounds a night. He has increased his scoring every year in the league. Chandler is way ahead of most of his peers in his development being in his 3rd year.
But, the biggest surprise has been Landry Fields. You don’t normally expect much out of a mid second-round rookie, especially in a mediocre draft class, but Fields is proving the teams that passed him over wrong. He is a great rebounder from the 2 position and is leading the league in that department at 7.6 per night. Also, since Amare has been starting at center, it helps to have a 2 that can rebound. Plus, he can score, averaging 10.2. Fields does the little things that help you win games. I would feel comfortable saying he will be on the all-rookie team.
Now, we should point out the not so positives. Gallinari has been solid, but has not shown mass improvement since last season. Sure, he is getting to the line more and making more foul shots, but he really has not found his role yet. Also, Anthony Randolph has not been integrated into the team at all. Mozgov has not proven to be a diamond in the rough yet, but he still has plenty of time.
But, all the negatives aside, Knicks fans can smile again. I don’t think any Knicks fans can say that they are competing for a title yet, but the foundation is there. Also, Melo recently stated that he will only sign a contract extension with NY. Imagine this same team plus Melo. In addition to all these positives, Eddy “Sandman” Curry is finally coming off the books at the end of the season. Thank god! The future looks bright after ten years wandering around a dark tunnel. So, if any Knicks fans see Isiah Thomas hanging around the Garden, run him out of town. Walsh and D’Antoni have assembled a respectable team, and for many, you can turn on MSG again and not get sick to your stomach watching basketball.
2 comments:
I still haven't watched a single game this year.
I feel like Dolan and Isiah are off plotting this team's demise.
I feel like I read something not too long ago about this topic...
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