2005-2006 knicks thread

[ZM Punk]

Just thought I would go ahead and start up a Knicks thread. It looks as the knicks have improved somewhat this offseason getting some young players in uniform. Really thought the James signing was awful but then again it is the knicks they atleast have to make one bad signing a year to keep up the tradition.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

http://www.nba.com/knicks/

PG: Stephon Marbury, Nate Robinson, Steven Barber
SG: Jamal Crawford, Allan Houston, Penny Hardaway
SF: Quentin Richardson, Trevor Ariza, David Lee, Matt Barnes
PF: Malik Rose, Mo Taylor, Channing Frye, Antonio Davis
C: Jerome James, Eddy Curry, Jackie Butler

Just a quick look at the training camp roster (excuse me if I left anyone out). Not a depth chart as most of those players' positions are interchangeable (ie., Curry@ PF, Frye@ C, Lee@ PF, etc.).

I like the youth of the squad, the athleticism and the added size (finally!).

I don't like the inexperience, lack of perimeter defense and backcourt depth.

We still don't know what Brown's visions of the starting lineup will be. I think he'll scrap the idea of Marbury playing SG. He most likely will switch to that during the season but I can't see him not starting Marbury at PG to begin the season. He just needs to drill into Marbury's head to get others involved which Marbury is more than capable of doing, he just always wants to get his in the process.

I have no idea what QRich we'll see. Will it be the gun slinger from 23 feet (we do need shooters). Or will it be the inside outside QRich that came into the league (he'll be more beneficial working from the post IMO).

Jamal Crawford- is he a starter or is he a backup. I honestly think he loses alot mentally coming off the bench. Like it's a blow to his ego. To me, he HAS to start the season off with a bang or he won't see many minutes at all, possibly being traded.

Wouldn't be too suprised to see a 6 PPG, 3 Reb, 0.5 BPG statline from Jerome James. I'm sure he'll have a game where he puts up 10-15 points from easy shots/put-backs but he'll pick up fouls quicker than you can find your seats at the Garden.

I would love to see Trevor Ariza split minutes at SF/SG. He's our best perimeter defender and he has incredible atheleticism. Didn't see too much of a jumper in the summer leagues from him but I hope he develops more.

The rookies- Frye, Nate and Lee. I think Larry Brown will love David Lee. Don't know if he'll crack the IR list (someone's got to sit) but I think he's a LB, do-it-all kind of player. Nate looked amazing during the summer leagues. No telling what he's capable of. He'll be an instant fan favorite, both at home and on the road. I was very suprised by his range (he can hit the 3). Expect many a highlight from this kid.

Frye, I don't know. Looked bad in the summer leagues. Not horrible, but not a stud. He'll have time to grow though. Banging against Eddy Curry in practice should help him alot. He'll see minutes with Jerome James' quick departures. He needs to bulk up more too.

Allan Hous....err...nevermind.

All in all, I'm excited. I think they can win a minimum of 45 games. Where that will place them in the East, who knows. Expect a slow start for the season. Second week of the season they go on a 6-game, 9-day West Coast swing. At least they'll get that trip out early in the season but I wouldn't be suprised to see them 3-6 when they return.

GO KNICKS!

[NYJets]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

^^^^

That about sums it up.

A lot of guys on this team who are athletic and have lots of skills, but need to learn how to play "the right way."

Marbury needs to improve his defense and learn to either be more of a true point guard, or get switches to shooting guard. Crawford needs to play defense and improve shot selection. Richardson needs to get back to being an all around offensive player. Curry and James are both known for being somewhat lazy.

If anyone can teach these guys, it's Brown.

We won't contend for a championship, but I think its very realistic that this could be a playoff team.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

Preseason TV Coverage:

Dallas vs. Knicks
Sunday, Oct. 16 6PM on MSG

Philly vs. Knicks
Tuesday, Oct. 18 7:30PM on MSG

[Kashanova]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

Thats horrible they need more games on tv

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

10/21 @ Mavs
10/25 @ Philly
10/28 vs. Nets

All on MSG except for the Nets game which will be televised on ESPN.

[fsquid]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

I'm coming into this season of Knickerbocker basketball with no expectations. I think many of us got caught in a little preseason hype last year and it was not fun. So, I'm just looking forward to watching the lads play and see if Curry plays the same as last year.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

^^
You lie!!

You're amped like any true fan would be. I think the thing with Knicks fans though is we pull back because we know that we're just setting ourselves up for disappointment.

I know they'll get out the gate verrrry slow with that West Coast trip especially. A losing record is more than likely inevitable early on. We still don't even know who's starting and at what positions.

I want to catch the preseason games for a couple of reasons:

1. to see if Nate Robinson is able to carry over his great performances from the summer and see if he'll be a legit backup PG.

2. to see if they commit to the defensive end of the floor under LB

3. to see if the added size (not talent in the frontcourt) is actually worth something. Do we outboard teams, do we get easy putbacks, do we have more shotblocks than usual? It's easy to forget what Kurt Thomas at 6'10 brought to the table. He was our best defender and he could nail that jumper. Now, hopefully with Curry, we can have the first big man since your boy LJ who can play with his back to the basket. Sweetney could, but he wasn't ready for significant minutes.

Can we win some games that we clearly would've lost last year? Everyone who watched knows that we couldn't finish games. Blowing a 4th Quarter lead was a nightly thing.

Yeah, I'm excited.

[Smokey]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

is curry doing to die on the court?

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

I hearing the knicks may trade for Darius Miles.

[fsquid]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

I hearing the knicks may trade for Darius Miles.

that would be a waste.

[shugknight]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

Hey can you guys do Chicago a favor? Can you guys maybe lose the first 20-25 games of the season? After that you guys can win every game till the playoffs, but just lose the first 20-25 games. That way that #1 pick you gave us, will look REALLY good to any team.


In fact, can you have a losing record before the AS break? I know I know, it sounds like a lot. But if you guys get Darius Miles, it might happen! I kid! I kid!

[fsquid]

Re: 2005-2006 knicks thread

Penny looks healthy for once in his career. Could be a nice lift off the bench for us this season.