5/13/11
The Celtics are slow, the Lakers are a team of discontents, and
the Spurs appear to be over the hill.
Suddenly the scene at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza doesn’t seem so bad. No, the Knicks don’t have 5 rings. No, they don’t have a team full of first-ballot Hall of Famers. But they do have something on their side that many of the recent NBA champions do not: time.
At the beginning of next season, barring a lockout, Amar’e
Stoudemire will be 28. Carmelo Anthony will be only 27. The clock is by no
means ticking down on these two superstars. Kevin Garnett was 32 when he won
his title with the Celtics. Paul Pierce was 30 and Ray Allen 33.Suddenly the scene at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza doesn’t seem so bad. No, the Knicks don’t have 5 rings. No, they don’t have a team full of first-ballot Hall of Famers. But they do have something on their side that many of the recent NBA champions do not: time.
Sure, this year’s playoff collapse was disappointing. But it was by no means surprising. The team played just 28 games together prior to a daunting showdown with the experienced Celtics. Without an experienced Billups and with a relatively useless Amare, the Knicks had little hope.
While the success of the Heat may be the source of some depression throughout the NY Metro area, it should actually provide some reasons for optimism. Take a look at how Miami looked after just 28 games. In reality, the Heat are an exact model for the Knicks to follow. They are just about 3/4 of a season behind. A season (and off-season) full of practice will help this team immensely. With a healthy trio of stars, the Knicks will be very dangerous next season, especially come April and May.
In taking into account some roster changes, this team will be
even better. Throw in a defensive-minded big man such as Samuel Dalembert of
Marcus Camby and this team will challenge the Miami’s and Chicago’s of the
world. Other role players, and perhaps the year of experience for Landry Fields,
will provide a deeper bench and more rest for Melo and A’mare. Lastly, do not
count out the Knicks’ opportunity to acquire a big piece via the draft.
Regardless of whether he is renewed, which he should be, Donnie Walsh will make the Knicks 17th pick in the NBA draft. Before passing this player off as a mere role player, keep in mind that in recent years, the 17th pick has produced stars such as Danny Granger, Josh Smith, and Jermaine O’Neal. Morehead State’s freakish athlete Kenneth Faried,Texas’ Tristan Thompson, and Kansas’ Morris twins will all be targets for the Knicks.
Regardless of whether he is renewed, which he should be, Donnie Walsh will make the Knicks 17th pick in the NBA draft. Before passing this player off as a mere role player, keep in mind that in recent years, the 17th pick has produced stars such as Danny Granger, Josh Smith, and Jermaine O’Neal. Morehead State’s freakish athlete Kenneth Faried,Texas’ Tristan Thompson, and Kansas’ Morris twins will all be targets for the Knicks.
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