The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

[ehh]

After two years of hype and hope, the free agency period of 2010 has finally passed. Despite our failure to land LeBron or Wade, we improved our team for both the immediate and distant future. We aren't going to be title contenders but we should be a playoff team and most importantly, there will be respectable basketball being played in The Garden once again.

Additions:

Amare Stoudamire
Raymond Felton
Timofey Mozgov
Anthony Randolph
Kelena Azabuike
Ronny Turiaf
Andy Rautins
Landry Fields
Jerome Jordan*

Departures:

David Lee
Tracy McGrady
Chris Duhon
Al Harrington
Eddie House
Jonathan Bender
Earl Barron
Sergio Rodriguez

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

Might be reborn, but it still came out lookin damn ugly

JK

What will the depth chart look like? I don't think I would consider them a strong candidate for the playoffs this year, however it is certainly possible.

Miami, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, Atlanta

After that the playoff picture is wide open. I like NJ, Washington, Charlotte, and Philly to claim the last seeds before NY.

Felton, Gallo, Chandler, Amare, Turiaf
Douglas, Azibuike, Fields, Randolph

I just don't think you guys are gonna do much, yet.

[NYJets]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

It's weird I have the Yankees who are the heavy favorites to repeat, the Jets who should contend for a superbowl, and UConn football who should have their best team ever before the NBA starts, but I'm most looking forward to basketball, just knowing that for the first time in almost 10 years there's reason to be optimistic.

Hard to figure a win total with so many young players, and so many new players. Only a couple really proven players, but loads of potential. We should at least contend for a playoff spot since the East is weak, but if a few players like Gallo or Randolph really break out, or Felton improves in D'Antoni's system, we could be pretty good.

[ehh]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

After that the playoff picture is wide open. I like NJ, Washington, Charlotte, and Philly to claim the last seeds before NY.

I don't know about any of those teams.

Charlotte lost Felton and Chandler and added Ty Thomas. I don't know about Augustin being the man at the point all year.

The Nets had the worst summer out of any team with cap space and even though their record last year had a lot to do with injuries I don't see them moving up into the post season this year. Harris/Lee/Outlaw/Lopez/? I don't think Favors will contribute this year. They added depth but I don't think they have the firepower at the top. I don't see that as a playoff team.

Philly is up in the air, a lot of people seem to think that Turner and Iggy won't mesh. Dalembert is a scrub but he gave them D at the rim and rebounding. Can Hawes fill that void? Jrue/Turner/Iggy/Thad/Nocioni/Lou Williams/Willie Green. That's a lot of of perimeter players needing time. Brand isn't getting back to his old form. They basically made the Dalembert trade and drafted Turner - not sure if that's enough. I don't know, I'm not sold on Philly.

Washington could be a sleeper if Arenas bounces back well. It's also a crowded back court with Gil, Wall and Hinrich. Wall/Arenas/Thornton/Yi/McGee. That has potential.

I'm hoping we're the 7th seed and DC is the 8th. We'll see.

[ehh]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

It's weird I have the Yankees who are the heavy favorites to repeat, the Jets who should contend for a superbowl, and UConn football who should have their best team ever before the NBA starts, but I'm most looking forward to basketball, just knowing that for the first time in almost 10 years there's reason to be optimistic.

Hard to figure a win total with so many young players, and so many new players. Only a couple really proven players, but loads of potential. We should at least contend for a playoff spot since the East is weak, but if a few players like Gallo or Randolph really break out, or Felton improves in D'Antoni's system, we could be pretty good.

Tell me about it man, I couldn't even legally drink the last time I was excited for a Knicks season to begin.

The youth and 'newness' of our roster will lead to some road bumps but we improved in so many ways.

Felton >>>>>>>>>>> Doo-Doo-hahn. Just stop and think that Chris f'n Duhon was our starting PG...in D'Antoni's offense no less.
Chandler - Chandler is what he is IMO, I don't think he'll improve or end up starting
Gallo will be a year older and have a full season under his belt. It will be interesting to see what he does with a real PG and great offensive PF as teammates.
Amare > Lee
Turiaf > Take your pick: Barron, Curry, Bender

Our bench now has some guys who do something besides simply jack up 3's (Harrington, House, etc). AR, Douglas and Kelana are a much better 6-8 than we've had recently. Timofey will be good for six hard fouls and probably nothing else outside of unintentional comedy.

Is it enough for the playoffs? I think it will be based on our improvements and the other movement that happened in the East.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

I forgot about MIL too, I think they go back to the playoffs for sure.

So that leaves two spots open.

There's just no wow factor for this group. I am hoping they can land another big fish next year.. right now they just don't do it for me.

Turiaf as a starter is gross. Chandler seems more like a bench player to me as well.

I really want NY to be relevant again but the summer was underwhelming for them outside the fact that they can probably afford to bring a star in next summer.

[Jeffx]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

Is it enough for the playoffs? I think it will be based on our improvements and the other movement that happened in the East.

Only if they play defense, which I doubt will happen with D'Anfoni.

[Aces15]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

I'm just excited to see if we can pull together a season that doesn't include 20 different starting lineups, 15 game losing streaks, and FINALLY no more dumping of salaries.

Just give me some good basketball, please.

[nyyanksfan20]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

Lots of credit has to go to Donnie Walsh. Most people thought if we didn't get LeBron it would be a disaster. While we are not a title contender, we do have a very exciting young team that should be a playoff team.

The key to me for the season will be which of the young players will emerge and take their game to the next level. Gallo will be very important to the team's success.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

I just want to attend my first Knicks playoff game at MSG.

That being said...props to Donnie (and Dolan ) for constructing this squad.

So many naysayers out there.

"Same ol' Knicks."
"They overpaid Amare."
"Chandler sucks."
"Gallo is a young Dirk." (still can't get over that one in the LBJ thread)

People can say what they want but I'm optimistic because-
*Amare's a BEAST.
*Gallo's "ready".
*Anthony Randolph is our X-factor. If he becomes what he's shown he can become...it's going to be scary.
*Easy Eddy's contract
*Toney Douglas is fearless and will get quality, important minutes this year to display what true Knicks fans have seen last year and this summer league.
*Tier 1 players around the league want to play here.
*CAP ROOM

I'll be at MSG quite a bit this year and I'm so looking forward to it.

[Jeffx]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

I just want to attend my first Knicks playoff game at MSG.

That being said...props to Donnie (and Dolan ) for constructing this squad.

So many naysayers out there.

"Same ol' Knicks."
"They overpaid Amare."
"Chandler sucks."
"Gallo is a young Dirk." (still can't get over that one in the LBJ thread)

People can say what they want but I'm optimistic because-
*Amare's a BEAST.
*Gallo's "ready".
*Anthony Randolph is our X-factor. If he becomes what he's shown he can become...it's going to be scary.
*Easy Eddy's contract
*Toney Douglas is fearless and will get quality, important minutes this year to display what true Knicks fans have seen last year and this summer league.
*Tier 1 players around the league want to play here.
*CAP ROOM

I'll be at MSG quite a bit this year and I'm so looking forward to it.

Knicks have torn my heart out every year since 1973, and the past ten years have been the worst in franchise history. **** Dolan. This group has to show me something(like giving a **** about defense) before I start caring about NY basketball again.

Until then, Go New York Giants!

[bigfnjoe96]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

I think we are gonna surprise some people this year. Donnie did a very nice job this off-season. Yeah we didn't get LBJ, but we did get much better. We have some nice young players. All players with High BB IQ & fit well into D'Antoni's SSOL System.

I can't wait til the season starts already...

[CMH]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

Even if the Knicks don't make the playoffs, they will be interesting to watch this year.

Outside of the losing, I grew very tired of watching guys like Harrington jack up threes all day.

It remains to be seen for me if STAT is >> than Lee to the point that it improve the entire squad, but knowing the Knicks have a big man to feed the ball to down low is amazing.

We thought we were gonna have that when they traded for McDyess and that was a mistake (hindsight is 20/20 on that one).

Curry played with us for half a season and then got a tattoo and became a disappointment once again.

It's just nice to know there can be a real point-to-forward offense for once along with the speed it up approach.

Maybe D'Antoni can bring out more of the system he had to shelve because the Knicks roster wasn't up to speed.

[CMH]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

The Chris Paul rumor sounds amazing, but the Knicks don't have pieces to make it happen, I don't think. If they trade Gallo, they take steps back if you ask me.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: The 2011 New York Knicks: The Rebirth

Gallo and Randolph have to be off the table.

I like Douglas and want to see him grow with the Knicks. But if him and Chandler have to be dealt for Paul and/or Melo...see ya.

Felton can't be traded until December I believe.

I think the Knicks should start the season as is and just see what these guys can do. Finally a fresh start. Let's just get the guys out there together for a change.

On another note, I always scratch my head when people make David Lee/Amare comparisons.

Lee is my dude...no doubt. Worked on his game every year. Has that 15 footer down pat. Great hustle guy. Magnet on the boards, etc.

But he is no Amare. Not even in his wildest dreams is he in the same echelon.

He benefitted from a system & roster where consistent perimeter scoring was hard to come by and basically had a green light.

But seriously...the comparisons need to stop. David Lee was a non-factor in most games where the other teams frontline was big. He got in early foul trouble and wasn't such a factor.

Amare was putting up numbers out West against the best bigs in the league pretty much every night.