STAT-CITY?

Jossif Ezekilov

It’s almost preseason time, and for the first time in quite a while, The New York Knicks are optimistic.

They’ve gutted most of their team (8 new players), and have added some great new pieces. Previous

years may have been laden with managerial miscalculations and overspending on overrated players

(ahem, Isiah Thomas), but this looks the year the Knicks will finally put that behind them (though not

completely, as Eddy Curry is still on contract) and move out of the NBA’s cellar.

The Knicks landed one of the biggest free agency prizes in Amar’e Stoudemire, signing him to a five

year, $100 million dollar contract. He gives the Knicks an actual franchise player they can build around,

something they have been direly lacking for so long. Some have pulled the “injury prone” card in

criticisms of the deal, but considering the guy is coming off a full season averaging 23 and 8 for Phoneix,

this shouldn’t be a worry for the Knicks until possibly the last year or two of the deal. Stoudemire will

be the go-to guy in New York, and is expected to continue producing at the high rate that he does.

Equally critical was the signing of Raymond Felton. Felton gives the Knicks a sound point guard after

several painful years of trying to make Chris Duhon into a legitimate starter. Felton fits into Coach

Mike D’Antoni’s system very well, especially with his improved shooting from last season. His defense

should also help the Knicks a ton; their perimeter defense (and general defense) was pretty terrible

last season. The only concern for Felton would be to get too out of control now that he’s away from

Charlotte’s rigid half-court sets. However, Felton is now a veteran, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

Felton and Stoudamire will be joined by Wilson Chandler and Danilo Galinari in the starting five.

Both are looking to improve on last season and will be integral in New York’s success. Chandler is

a great athlete, sound defender, and he can play two or three different positions, which gives New

York a lot of rotation flexibility. He will most likely benefit most from the arrival of Felton, who will

able to feed him the ball much more effectively (expect a lot of lobs thrown Chandler’s way). Galinari

has proven he’s legit, and this season will determine if he’s an all-around threat at SF or just a good

shooter. If he can work on his defense and rebounding, he’ll go along way to proving the former.

I thought for sure that D’Antoni will stick Roger Mason at SG (with Galinari at SF, Chandler at PF, and

Amar’e at C) until Kelenna Azubuike returns from injury. However, there’s some speculation that

newly acquired center Timofey Mozgov may get the starting spot down low. This would be strange

considering Amar’e played center under Coach D’Antoni in Phoenix. Mozgov was impressive in the FIBA

world championships, and I think he will flourish in the NBA. He’s huge (7’1, 270 lbs.), athletic, he’s got

good hands and agility as well. I don’t think he’ll be able to get to NBA starter level this year though.

Azubuike (once he returns) fits much better with the up-tempo style. He has the skills to be a highly

effective on both ends and will have much the same role that Raja Bell did under D’Antoni in Phoenix.

To complement this young and athletic starting lineup are a rack of great role players acquired over

the summer. Mason will be given the green light to stroke away from downtown. If healthy, Anthony

Randolph will receive a chunk of time at all frontcourt positions and will create mismatches; if he can

add a consistent shooting touch with his athleticism, Randolph will be dangerous off the bench. Ronny

Turiaf, coming off the trade with David Lee along with Randolph and Azubuike, will add interior defense,

something the Knicks were direly lacking. Of the few role players coming back, I expect Toney Douglas

and Bill Walker to improve from last season and round out the squad nicely.

The Knicks have finally had a successful and smart offseason, addressing their specific needs and

spending on the right players, and it has completely turned this team around. While not yet title

contenders, this will be one of the most fun teams to watch during the season, and one that may finally

play some games in May, if all goes well.

Team Snapshot

Arrivals: F/C Amar'e Stoudemire, G Roger Mason, G Raymond Felton, F Anthony Randolph, G/F Kelenna

Azubuike, F/C Ronny Turiaf, C Timofey Mozgov, F Patrick Ewing Jr, F Shawne Williams

Rookies: G Andy Rautins, F Landry Fields

Departures: F Al Harrington, F/C David Lee, G Chris Duhon, G Sergio Rodriguez, G J.R. Giddens, C Earl

Barron, F Jonathan Bender, G Tracy McGrady.

Probable Starting Lineup

PG: Raymond Felton

SG: Kelenna Azubuike

SF: Danilo Galinari

PF: Wilson Chandler

C: Amar’e Stoudamire

Predicted record in 2010-2011: 42-40, 7th in Eastern Conference