Optimistic Knicks
Jul 12th, 2007 by Drew Wolin
There is currently reason for the New York Knicks’ (eternally suffering) faithful to be excited. They recently acquired Zach Randolph, a man who NBA Wise Man Malik Rose believes should be the best power forward in the East. And yes, in doing so, they even unloaded Steve Francis and his lotto jackpot-sized contract (except at $14 mil-a-year, Randolph’s contract isn’t exactly what it costs to buy a ticket or two). And although these are moves that should certainly help the team, what has gone on inside UNLV’s Cox Pavilion, Ground Zero for the Vegas Summer League, is more important than adding talent to an already sufficiently talented roster or modifying the payroll for a team that won’t hear the phrase “under the cap” for the next decade, no matter how hard it tries.
Summer league basketball has nothing to do with the regular season though, right? Well it is not only the fact that the Knicks won their first two games with ease. Forgive the spirituality, but there has been lot of positive energy surrounding the Knicks organization. David Lee, Quentin Richardson, Malik Rose, new addition Fred Jones, and Mardy Collins, who is not participating in the summer league games because he is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery, are all in Vegas watching the games. In an interview with Gus Johnson and the self-proclaimed “best Knick ever” Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Quentin Richardson revealed something about Eddy Curry, who is renowned for being lazy and unmotivated, that is perhaps symbolic of the entire Knicks team. While many players do not so much as touch a basketball until July or August, Curry, who only missed one game last season, was back in the gym by June. It seems that Isiah has shown Eddy the light. The light is emanating from the flame cleverly placed beneath Curry’s (large) behind. Simply put, he needed a little bit of fire and desire (copyright Walt Frazier, 2007).
Also getting an early start on his summer training was Renaldo Balkman, who has spent most of his summer at IMG Academy in Florida — Balkman’s home away from home. His shot was the focal point of the practices, while he also made sure to work on his body, conditioning, and other skills. Balkman told the New York Times that, thanks to his training, “For the most part, I’m knocking down shots that I’m supposed to.” From watching the summer league games, his handle also looked like it has tightened up, and he already seems to be in fantastic physical shape.
Balkman was not the only Knick youngster to impress in summer league play. Second round pick Demetris Nichols out of Syracuse, whom the Knicks acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers the day after the draft, has lived up to his reputation as a sharp-shooter. Malik Rose raved that Nichols does not miss a shot. Wilson Chandler has also been impressive so far, showing off the versatility and athleticism that piqued Isiah Thomas’s interest and convinced him to gamble on Chandler with the Knicks‘ 2007 first round pick. Randolph Morris, the 2007 draft-ineligible player out of Kentucky whom the Knicks signed late last season after the Wildcats’ early tourney exit, has exhibited his ability to score and rebound. He is more mobile than many realize, and he has a very soft touch and above average finishing ability in the paint — unlike Balkman and Chandler who so far have not shown that they are adept at finishing in the lane unless they are dunking the ball. Overall, the Knicks’ summer league team’s starting lineup has been among the most impressive assemblage of players in Vegas.
The fact that there were five Knick players sitting in the stands watching summer league ball while other teams boasted no more than one non-participating player (unofficially) speaks volumes about how much the overall attitudes of the players have improved over the past few years. The players are not only in Vegas to watch ball, however. There are numerous Knick coaches in Vegas running training sessions for the players. With improved skills and camaraderie, the Knicks should be able to sneak their way into a low seed (high number) in the 2008 NBA playoffs.
Drew,
I’ve been a Knick fan since 1971; seen it all, Bad Trades, Bad Drafts, Bad Free Agents, Bad Luck, most of all, Bad management. Isiah inherited a lousy situation, and for the most part, has tried to squeeze lemonade out of a lemon. He’s made mistakes which are well documented, but I believe we are starting to see a sliver of hope. What I saw last year was it took about a quarter of the season to cleanse the stench of Larry Brown. They had a real shot at the playoffs before 4 of their top 8 rotation players were injured, which IS a good excuse regardless of the critics. Unlike 05-06, they played hard in every game this season, up to Curry’s tip in against the Hornets in April. Zeke was not afraid to sit Marbury, and Marbury responded like a pro. The players truly seem to like each other, and more importiant, started to believe they could compete and win games. I liked what I have seen so far from the 3 Rookies; with Lee, Balkman and Collins all of a sudden they have a team that can grow together. Curry and Randolph are under 27, and Crawford is still young. I think Nate, Malik and Jerome James are on the way out, Jeffries is on notice (he gets a pass because of his injury last year) and both Jones and Dickau may need a great training camp to survive. I believe they still have another trade in the making before training camp; if they stand pat this season, we are then positive Zeke will make a major play for Kobe in the summer of 2008. If they stay healthy, they will make the playoffs; if they play defense, they could hang around awhile.
I am happy for isaiah thomas, that he was able to get a low post scorer for the knicks to go with all of his perimeter players. But I will believe it when I see it. Let’s see if the knicks can actually win in the regular season. Last season they were terrible, and everyone was calling thomas inept. I just dont know if calling zach randolph the savior of the franchise is a good idea. I believe portland will make much more noise then the knicks with channing frye coming off the bench. And they had tons of cap space so taking on francis and cutting him doesnt hurt them that much. They were glad to get rid of the last jailblazer. Randolph was always getting into trouble, or his friends were getting him into trouble. Now he has to face the pressure of new york. I would say the odds are 75% chance, randolph will screw up and piss off the fans and have new york begging for channing frye, and calling thomas inept again. Could they be better sure, but probably not. Maybe they will win a few more games, then before, but their chances of a title are slim to none. The cavs, pistons, magic, raptors, and heat are going to dominate the east, even atlanta might get into the mix with acie law distributing to joe johnson and al horford, joe smith and marvin williams. I would be surprised to see the knicks do anything more than an eigth seed. But when they get swept in the first round, the fans are still gonna hate thomas and his ridiculous salary cap that does not allow them to sign anyone of significance in the offseason when kobe, garnett and company are all free agents.
I’m hearing talk that my beloved Knicks could win fitty games in the JV league next year. Even against Eastern comp, they will only barely make the playoffs if they play more “D” than they have shown. Zach, Eddy, Jamal, and Steph won’t or can’t defend. Q is the only starter who is a legit defender, and please don’t tell me about the 4 -position defensive skillz of Jared Jeffries. Nate only sees playing defense as an energy-wasting deterrent to getting the ball back so he can shoot or dunk it. Should Renaldo, D-Lee and Mardy get substantial minutes to mix in with the offensive stars, then you might have just enough balance to get to the playoffs. I’m also concerned about how Eddy and Zach will both get enough touches in the paint to suit them, and how Isiah will set the offensive spacing with 2 dedicated back to the basket low-post players on the court together for over half the game. Having said all this, they will be more competitive and more exciting next year than they have shown in a while.
Great comments guys, thanks.
Steve — defense could be what keeps this team from being a 45 win team. Offensively, there are not many defenses (especially regular season NBA defenses) that can hang with the Knicks’ first unit. It’s funny, most teams have an offensive spark plug off the bench (ie. Leandro, Manu), the Knicks will rely on their bench (Balkman, Mardy Collins, maybe Malik Rose) for defense.
Ronald — Not too many people I’ve spoken to have been calling Zach Randolph the savior of the franchise; that would be silly, I’m with you there. Quite simply, a healthy Marbury, Crawford, and Lee, who were all injured for much of last season, should help put this team right around or below the .500 mark. Zach Randolph just pushes them one step further to a legit playoff team (not contender).
Seth — A New York Post reporter has said that Curry feels that it is on Isiah and no one else to make the Randolph/Curry relationship work, but I have confidence that Isiah will get it together. Randolph has a very good (and seemingly underrated) mid range game. While putting him in the high post is not ideal, he could certainly spend some time there. Randolph’s handle is also not too shabby. When it’s all said and done, I believe that Isiah is one of the best in terms of getting players to like each other and play well together.
Zach Randolph is a joke! The Knicks will learn that this year. If he’s so good then why have the Blazers been begging teams the last 3 years to take him? He’s a ball hog, that’s why he scores 23 pts./game …and most of his rebounds come off his own misses. He’s one of the worst if not worst defender in the entire league. Now your going to put him on the post with another fat boy that doesn’t play any defense and will get less touches cuz’ Zach will demand the ball every time down???? Good luck NY! ZEBOOOOOOOOOO!! LOL!!!
I am a die hard Portland fan so I know Zach very well. True that he is not all that good on the defence side of the court, but I would be more then willing to call him a beast on the other side. He is one of those players who were “born to put the ball in the basket.” But scoring, rebounding, and geting to the foul line, is the only thing worth bragging about in his case. He is kind of lazy, and his knee has given him some problems in the past. He is not someone who is going to take a bad team into the playoffs. He proved that when he was a part of the team with the worst record in the 2005-2006 seasond. But like I said, he can score, and he is always wanting to take the game winning shot. I was kind of disapointed when Portland traded him, but he cost sooooo much money. I know money is not a problem for the Nicks because they wont be looking at free agents for decades to come anyways. If you want to get paid the HUGE bucks, N.Y. is the team to be on. Randolph does find himself in a little trouble here and there, but he wont be like Packman Jones, that I can swear upon. New York will be better then last year, but Randolph is not going to bring them into the playoffs.
ATTETNION!! DIE HARD KNICK FANS…(SINCE 1970)
Think about it……seasoned point guard….break out season 2-guard…..Zach.(say what you want to say about him) Randolph…strong power fwd…and Eddie(finally realizing his true potential) Curry…and a hungry defense bench…I reside in Atl/Ga for the last decade and thru it all…A TRUE BLUE/ORANGE KNICK FAN…this is the 1st of the 3 years I predict a Knick CHAMPIONSHIP…Yea! i said it….DON’T FORGET….Basketball is a team sport…and defense and rebounds win championships…..and finally once again the Knicks will not have to worry about scoring…….and MSG will again be the place where beatdowns were given on the regular
Holla!
PC
I’ve been a Knicks fan since the early 80’s. I fell in love with the Knicks watching my uncle(Rory Sparrow) Bring the ball up court at the Garden as a toddler. I’ve seen numerous 40point games by Bernard King, I’ve seen Mark Jackson throw a no-look pass to a young Patrick Ewing, I’ve Seen Charles Oakley manhandle grwon men down in the block, Ive seen John Starks posterize the Bulls and I’ve seen Allen Houston stroke the prettiest jump shot ever coming off a curl, but I have never been more excited about a upcoming season as I am about this one. This year Knicks roster is full of youth and talent. Lee, Balkman, Chandler, Robinson, Collins, Morris and Nichols all very servicable skills and can help any team win basketball games. Curry and Randolph are both handfulls in the post. Marbury has finally decided to do away with the shoot first “Starbury” alterego, Quinton Richardson is finally healthy and should return to the Q-Rich that was with the Suns a few years ago, Jeffries can Defend with the best of them and Malik Rose such provide some much needed veteran leadership in locker room. Then there is Jamal Crawford, yeah he shoots too much and can’t play “D” but he puts the ball in the hole with the best of them. “But what about Jerome James, Freddie Jones And Dan Dickau?” Well “Big James” can kick rocks, what a waste money and size, Fred and Dan any other year would have been good pieces to add to the puzzle but with all the budding potential the youg biys this year, unfortunately there is no room. I see no reason why the Knick are not one of the top 5 or 6 teams in the east along with NJ, Chicago, Miami, Detriot and Cleveland.