The name of the game for the New York Knicks is wait until next season. That is 2010-11 not 2009-10 so the new season has already been tossed aside though coach Mike D'Antoni speaks positively about making the playoffs. The master plan has been to marshal as much salary cap space as possible in preparation for next year's free agent class which may include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh. New York fans are angry and restless over enduring these seasons of bad basketball but management has steered the correct course in getting out from under the financial mess of bad contracts left behind by Isaiah Thomas.
Last season and during the off-season, the Knicks shed the bloated weight of Zach Randolph, Jamaal Crawford, Tim Thomas, Chris Wilcox, Malik Rose and Anthony Roberson. The team's best two players Nate Robinson and David Lee were signed to just one-year deals so more cap space can be gained with the expiring contracts of Robinson, Lee, Chris Duhon and Al Harrington. The Knicks hope to move Jared Jeffries and Eddy Curry can be swapped for expiring contracts. However, Curry is going to be difficult to move because his salary for 2010-11 is $11.3 million. Plus Curry is out of shape and overweight and is pretty much a bust as a center.
As to the team taking the court at Madison Square Garden, there is little for D'Antoni to work with and it is rather optimistic his explosive run and gun offensive scheme will be effective. D'Antoni improved offense from 96.9 ppg to 105.2 in 2008-09 but defense suffered in allowing 107.8 ppg. The revolving door of personnel will prevent any chemistry or cohesion from developing. Young talent is scarce. Last year's unpopular draft pick Danilo Gallinari has lived up to the disappointment. Hopes are higher for rookie Wilson Chandler.
Last season and during the off-season, the Knicks shed the bloated weight of Zach Randolph, Jamaal Crawford, Tim Thomas, Chris Wilcox, Malik Rose and Anthony Roberson. The team's best two players Nate Robinson and David Lee were signed to just one-year deals so more cap space can be gained with the expiring contracts of Robinson, Lee, Chris Duhon and Al Harrington. The Knicks hope to move Jared Jeffries and Eddy Curry can be swapped for expiring contracts. However, Curry is going to be difficult to move because his salary for 2010-11 is $11.3 million. Plus Curry is out of shape and overweight and is pretty much a bust as a center.
As to the team taking the court at Madison Square Garden, there is little for D'Antoni to work with and it is rather optimistic his explosive run and gun offensive scheme will be effective. D'Antoni improved offense from 96.9 ppg to 105.2 in 2008-09 but defense suffered in allowing 107.8 ppg. The revolving door of personnel will prevent any chemistry or cohesion from developing. Young talent is scarce. Last year's unpopular draft pick Danilo Gallinari has lived up to the disappointment. Hopes are higher for rookie Wilson Chandler.
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