The Fan Preview: Knicks. Sircharles article

Just check it out. I wrote it.

Let me be the first to say: I’m a New York Knick fan (in case you didn’t know) and the training camps are back again and NBATV has shown the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks training camps. Watching this camp inspired a little in depth preview for my Knicks.  Here’s my overall opinion, i’ll try to be as unbiased as possible.

The Eyes and Ears tell me

The Knicks are a young team. Other then Stoudemire (27), Turiaf (27) and Felton (26), there might not be a player in the rotation over age 25. With that, there will be a little bit of a struggle fitting all them in and playing effectively out of the gate. This Knicks team is also pretty deep with some rotational players. I look at the fact that the Knicks have 6 legit guards and forwards who could be in a rotation for Mike D’Antoni, which leads me to my next point: D’Antoni HAS to open the rotation. Since his arrival to the Knicks, D’Antoni would stick with this 8 man rotation, with all this talent, the rotation should be 9-10 this season because:

A) Loaded team

B) The Knicks had alot of stamina issues over the past 4 seasons.

The Players/ Rotation

Like I said 5 times already, the Knicks have some great players. Let’s work our way up. Eddy Curry is a slob. Shawne Williams and Patrick Ewing Jr might not make the roster.

Now, the rookies.  Andy Rautins is solid. I don’t think he’s going to make the team but should be a NBDL player this season and should be the J.J. Reddick that D’Antoni hopes he can be. He’s a crisp shooter and right now, should work on his defense and just overall play outside the shooting. I’m impressed with the other rookies: Landry Fields and Timofey Mozgov.  When NY drafted Fields, I was upset leaving Devin Ebanks on the board, but he’s impressed me. He really reminds me of Trevor Ariza when he was a Knick. Ariza provided some speed to the lineup, he wasn’t a sound shooter but could slash to the rim and be effective and efficient when he played. I doubt that Fields will have the same effect in his rookie season but don’t be shocked if year 2 is a strong season as he fights his way into the rotation.

Timofey, Timofey, TIMOFEYYY! All I’m hearing and seeing is good things from this guy.  He’s long (7-1) and he’s a young guy (25). I think he’s looking to become the starting center in NY. He will have transition issues because he’s coming from Russia and the NBA talent pool is a little bigger but I wouldn’t be shocked if a 23mpg, 6ppg, 6rpg season comes out the works as a rotational player. I believe in Timofey and if the elephant in the room happens ( more soon), Timofey Mozgov will be starting.

Kelenna Azubike will not be ready for the season and when he is, I expect him to be worked into the rotation because of his strong rebounding ability from the guard position.

The Solid 8 ( I wish it was 9 but until I see it, it’s 8 )

Here’s the rotation I see coming out of NY camp: Felton, Chandler, Gallinari, Stoudemire, Turiaf, Randolph, Walker and Douglas. This is what I believe and here’s why. Let’s start with the bench:

Douglas, Walker and Randolph are the probably the best 3 not in the starting line. Douglas has showed me and many people that he was not a bad pick. He’s played very well in summer league and spot PT last season as a rookie. Coming out of college, I didn’t expect Douglas to be this good but I think he’s earned this rotation spot. I also believe D’Antoni trusts him. Walker as well, earned this spot last season. I think he’s a solid player.  As a fan, I expect Walker to have a nice 9ppg, 5rpg season. The biggest piece to this team right now?

Anthony Randolph has to be a stud. He doesn’t have to score but he has to be something. He must find his identity. In Golden State, Randolph had good numbers but he was in Don Nelson’s doghouse and never got out. Still, Randolph averaged 11ppg, 6rpg and 1bpg per game. If Randolph could be consistent and play a solid 33mpg per game next season, I could see him as a 6th man candidate.  The talent is there but there is something brought up: What if Randolph is a “good at everything, great at nothing” guy?

Gallinari year 3. He was 2nd in the NBA in 3 pointers made. His game has been advanced when compared to fellow Euro’s Peja and Hedo. I think this could be another solid season for the man I call: Gallo. Gallo should be working really well off of Stoudemire. Also, people don’t understand that Gallo is a solid ball handler. He can create off the dribble.

Chandler year 4. The only real player from the Isiah era. Chandler improved every season in the NBA. Last year he averaged 15.3 ppg, this season? I see a decrease because Stoudemire is here and I believe Gallo is the 2nd scorer. Chandler could be that good 3rd scorer and in the training camp preview, he looks leaner and more like a tall shooting guard.

Turiaf….He’s going to defend, block shots and look to be on a all defensive team. I think he can do it. He has the ability to do so. If Ronny Turiaf averages 6 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks, I’m happy. Turiaf should be able to just work on defense, provide hustle play and keep bigs out of the paint.

Felton and Stoudemire ( I’m doing a combo because we have one last topic to cover) Felton should have a breakout season. When you think about it: He’s probably the best PG NY has had in the D’Antoni era . Chris Duhon was a stroke of luck but he was a backup. I’m not saying Raymond Felton will be a star. What I’m saying is, he’s coming from Charlotte where he was the lead guard and had to share his PT. I think coming to NY, he’s going to get his min (33-37mpg) and he’s actually a leader. I think he will know when to slow down the tempo as well. As for Amar’e, I expect HUGE things. He’s working before and after minicamp, he seems focus, he looks to be improving the defense and he looks energized.  The only debate about Amar’e: Can he get 9 rebounds per game? I think he can. I expect him to do work and play really well this season.

The Elephant In The Room: Carmelo Anthony

Yes, I had to bring it up. Carmelo Anthony could be a New York Knick within the week, within the month, within months. We don’t really know, he could be a Net or Rocket for all we know.  With rumors of the Knicks, now capable of picking up another 1st round pick to pick up Melo, The Knicks are potentially all in this race to end up with Carmelo Anthony. The question: What are the Knicks looking to lose?

The Knick could be getting rid of: Wilson Chandler, Danillo Gallinari (No!), Eddy Curry (Yes!), Anthony Randolph and 3 1st round picks for Carmelo Anthony and say..Chris Anderson.  The question, do you want to do it? Is this what you want? Of Course, Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire are great pieces and NY could be a nice 50 win team with both but giving up the future is a problem for me. We got hurt giving up the picks in the past. As a NY fan, I’m skeptical.

Overview

With Carmelo Anthony, I could see NY’s rotation as