The New York Knicks began the season talking Championship. They finished
the season coming far from that goal.
The Knicks were bounced out of the first round in 5 games by the Miami
Heat. This season was about as up and
down as one can get. Starting with the slow start
from Carmelo, to the Jeremy Lin era, to the emergence of sharp shooter Steve
Novak, to the signing of the streaky J.R Smith.
There was never consistent play from the Knicks, instead it was full of
winning and losing streaks. High hopes,
and scary lows. I am going to give every
player a season grade (based on expectations), and look ahead to what looks to
be a very important offseason for the New York Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony – (B) His grade isn’t too high
because he struggled early. The Knicks
slow start was the reason why they had to face the Heat in the first
round. His grade isn’t too low because
he carried the Knicks late, and was the Eastern Conference Player of the Month
in the last and most crucial month in April. Carmelo needs to come back to camp
in much better shape if he wants to seriously go after a Championship.
Amare Stoudemire – (D+) He receives a max contract,
but doesn’t give max effort. He can be a
great offensive player when healthy, but his lack of effort on the defensive
side of the ball is hard to watch. I’m
beginning to think it may not only be effort, but also that he simply doesn’t have the
instincts to be a good defensive player.
He also injured himself in the playoffs for the second straight
year. Last year it was Amare trying to
pull off a highlight dunk in warm-ups, and this year punching through glass
containing a fire extinguisher.
Tyson Chandler – (A-) Yes this is a high grade for a
guy who doesn’t have much of an offensive game.
However this guys attitude, effort, and leadership is amazing. Oh and don’t forget he won Defensive Player
of the Year, something no Knick has ever done.
I’m sure he will work on his offense and try to add a mid range jumper
to his game next year.
Jeremy Lin – (A+) Yes an A+, don’t forget I am doing
these grades based off expectations!
This guy was one day away from being released from the Knicks before
coming off the bench against the Nets and putting on a show. Lin is truly an amazing story; I wish he
would have been available in the playoffs.
I expect the same production and then some next year from Lin.
Steve Novak – (A) What a find this guy was for the
Knicks. Novak led the NBA in 3 point
percentage making 47 percent from downtown.
This guy had the Garden gasping for air every time he took a shot. I hope to see the discount double check back
in a Knicks uniform next year although that is un likely after his breakout
year.
J.R Smith – (C-) Joined the team late after
finishing his season in China. I found
myself saying he will get hot eventually, and that time never came. He seemed to hit the three’s during times
when it didn’t matter. Then in big games he would shoot often, and miss often.
Disappointing to say the least.
Landry Fields- (C-) Coming off of an unexpected
strong rookie season, Fields did not improve his game much this year. His points, rebounds, and shooting percentage
all went down, while his turnovers per game went up. His line drive shot needs a lot of help. Alan Houston began working with him at the
end of the year, he needs his help this summer as well.
Iman Shumpert- (B+) Iman had a very solid rookie
campaign. His hounding defense is so
valuable to this team that lacks perimeter defenders. He was 2nd among rookies in steals
per game behind Ricky Rubio. He has some
work to do as far as decision making, and shooting, but his shooting improved
as the season went on.
Josh Harrellson- (B+) Just like Landry Fields, the 2nd round pick out of Kentucky did not have much expectations coming
out of college. He impressed me with his
defense and toughness. On the offensive
end he has a nice touch around the basket, and can also knock down open
jumpers.
Toney Douglas- (F) Started the year as the starting
point guard and that didn’t last long. A
shooting guard in a point guards body, Douglas doesn’t have the ability to run
an offense. His confidence is very low,
and he became Mike Bibby’s water boy by seasons end (which says a lot).
Other Knicks include:
Jared Jeffries- (B-) , Baron Davis (C+) , Mike Bibby
(C-) , Bill Walker (D+) , Jerome Jordan (no grade)
If I Was GM of the Knicks I Would…
-Look to trade Amare. His time in New York might have to come to an
end after the scene he made slicing his hand open in anger. He is not an attractive guy across the league
which makes it tough. If a deal came up
along the lines of Luis Scola and Goran Dragic for Amare Stoudemire, Landry
Fields and some cash I would do it in a heartbeat.
-Sign Jeremy Lin.
This is an easy one. He is a restricted free agent and should be back
with the Knicks next year.
-Let J.R walk.
He is more into putting on a show then putting in the dirty work to win
games. Not enough good coming from him
in my opinion.
-Give Landry a chance. This means re sign the restricted free agent. Many Knick fans are frustrated with Landry
but you can’t forget it was only his second year. His instincts, defense, and ability to
rebound can be valuable to this team.
-Somehow, somehow keep Steve Novak. Don’t know how it would work, don’t have the
exact numbers, but I hear Novak most likely will not be back with the
Knicks. Don’t let that happen.
-Give Steve Nash a
call. Although he will most likely stay
in Phoenix, a call won’t hurt. Cap space
is a problem when entertaining this idea.
Not if the Knicks trade Amare (hint..hint).
