Preview of the 2009-2010 season.

The goal for an NBA franchise every year is to at least make the playoffs and so do the Knicks. It has been eight years and counting since the Knicks last playoff appearance. Going into the season the Knicks hope to make the playoffs, and are looking forward to breaking this current streak.

First comes the NBA Draft on June 25th, and the Knicks need to pick a player who fits well in there system and who is willing to come in NY. They are looking at Syracuse's Johnny Flynn and Davidson's Stephen Curry. The Knicks cant go wrong with either player in my opinion, both of them can contribute at an NBA level right now.

Next is the Free Agency period where money is thrown to players and players are over valued. The Knicks need to do the opposite of what I just stated and dont spend a lot of money. The Knicks are now under the cap finally and now need to stay under the cap for the 2010 free agency class but that is a whole different story. The Knicks have two restricted free agents that they definitely need to address Nate Robinson and David Lee. To make a long story short don't over pay for Nate Robinson and retain David Lee if possible.

Before the season the Knicks need to work hard training camp and hope that overlaps into the season. Hopefully Danillo Gallanari will be healthy so they can fully utilize him.

Hard work always pays of and the coach always preaches that.

Predictions:
Playoffs for the first time in eight years(hopefully)
David Lee becomes an all star and fully develops his game
Players from a better relationship and the Knicks go through the season without no drama!!
HARD WORK HARD WORK HARD WORK!!!!

Top five Players in Knicks History!!

Many great players have come through the gardens doors and played on its floors. New York is the basketball capital of the world. The Knicks have three of the top 50 greatest NBA players. In the city of New York basketball is played daily and not just amongst the NBA players. This is a basketball town and they take pride in there sport.



It takes a special player to become great in New York. New York is like no other town and a player must have thick skin. The media here are very harsh and expect results in a rapid time.



Patrick Ewing is first on my list for the Knicks best player ever to play in the blue and orange. During Patrick Ewing's stint with the Knicks he was the best player in the NBA in my opinion. Although Patrick Ewing did not win an NBA championship with the Knicks he still had many individual accomplishments that succeed all former and current Knicks. Coming out of Georgetown University many people did not think he was going to be the all star he turned out to be. Ever since Patrick left the Knicks they have not found a big man since. In the 90's the Knicks were one of the best teams out there and if weren't for Micheal Jordan and the Bulls winning six in that decade the Knicks would have one.



Walt " Clyde " Frazier is second on my list after Patrick Ewing. Walt Frazier was a one of the most complete players in the NBA's history. Walt Frazier had the most triple doubles in Knicks franchise history and contributed to the Knicks success in the 70's. Walt Frazier was perhaps the best players on the Knicks championship teams. Walt Frazier brought the Knicks its first ever championship which few have ever done. That is the ultimate goal that you want to accomplish when you go to a franchise and Walt Frazier did it. He is better known as " Clyde " because is unique style when he dressed up. Clyde will be loved forever and is now a Knicks broadcaster.

Willis Reed is third on my list for one of the Knicks greatest players. Willis Reed and Walt Frazier was the tag team that couldn't be defeated that is why they produced two championships. Willis Reed was known as the conductor. He controlled the paint and was the defensive king. He is most famous for his game in the Championship when he got injured and came back on to the court limping and he still played the rest of the game and helped the Knicks win. Willis Reed is one of the NBA's 50 greatest players which puts him on top of the Knicks dept chart.

Earl Monroe is fourth on my list for one of the Knicks greatest players. Earl Monroe was probably the flashiest player in Knicks history. Better known as Earl the Pearl Monroe paired perfectly with Walt Frazier in the back court. Monroe was an excellent scorer and probably the best pure scorer in Knicks history. That is what made him and Walt Frazier the best pair in the back court. To bad Monroe didn't spend his whole career with the Knicks. However while he was here he brought excitement on the court and had fun while he played the game.

Stephon Marbury is fifth on my list as one of the Knicks greatest players. Many people might disagree with me on this selection but I will prove to you the audience why Starbury is one of the Knicks greatest players. Coming to New York Stephon Marbury had a bad reputation. In his first year in NY he brought the team to the playoffs and that season he averaged 20 points and 9 assits. Stephon Marbury, Magic Johnson and The Big O Oscar Robertson are the only players in NBA history to average 20 points and 8 assists there whole career. Even though the Knicks and Marbury had an bad break up he is still a very talented player who had a great NBA career.

Athleticism, Athletic, Agility, the 3 A's the Knicks are in need of

The hardest thing in the NBA to find is a pure Big man who is productive every night. The Knicks have had that since the days of Patrick Ewing.The Knicks had plenty if big men since that error. Marcus Camby, Nazi Mohammad, Dikembe Mutombo, Kurt Thomas, Jerome James, and Eddy Curry. None of these big men stayed in New York a very long time, event though Eddy Curry is still on the Knicks roster he doesn't play and he is on his way out. Perhaps Nene who the Knicks drafted was there best big man however he never played a single game in New York since he was traded on draft day to the Nuggets.

David Lee played the center position for the Knicks this season and he is only 6'9. David Lee did an excellent job however he is not a real big man.

In Mike Dantoni's offense he has to have a skilled big man who can do multiple things and I'm not just talking about scoring in the post. In Dantoni's offense a big man has to be able to run the floor, be agile, and have good mobility. In Phoenix Mike Dantoni had Amare Stodemire who was one of the best big men in the league. Stodemire can run the floor, shoot from the perimeter and play solid defense. The big man is the second most important factor in Dantoni's offense.

In New York the Knicks don't have anything to compare to Amare Stodemire and what he produces on a nightly bases. The Knicks don't have a big man who can compare to Amare Stodemire and what he can do.

Jerome James has done nothing since he signed that 5 year contract with the Knicks and he is always injured. He lacks the skills needed to succeed in New York. Eddy Curry is a very skilled big man in the post however he is not very athletic and he had trouble staying in shape. Mike Dantoni will be looking for a Big man in the future because he knows without one a team cannot win. The presents of a dominate big man is crucial to a franchise and hopefully the Knicks will find there's very soon.

Pass first guards..... Crawford and Marbury gone!!!

Mike Dantoni are very hard on his point guards and expects a lot out of them. Where Mike Dantoni came from he had one of the best guards in the whole NBA. Steve Nash is a coaches dream point guard and any coach would love to have him. Steve Nash ran the Suns offense with perfection and was a two time MVP while Dantoni was coaching him. Steve Nash was the assists King three years in a row and he was certainly a pass first point guard.

The reason why I discussed about Steve Nash so much is that he is the nucleus of the offense that Mike Dantoni had so much success with. Also he is a pass first point.

The New York Knicks lack a pass first point guard on the roster. All of there guard that were on there roster when Mike Dantoni got hired were scoring guards such as, Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford and Nate Robinson. Mike Dantoni new that some of these guards had to removed from the team in order for the system to hit its full potential.

Stephon Marbury had already played for Dantoni and of course they bumped heads due to his lack of passing the ball. I disagree with Dantoni on the way he views Stephon Marbury. Marbury is averaging 8 assits for his whole career and 20 points. Only the Big O and Magic Johnson have done that yes I said Marbury and Magic in the same sentence. Since Dantoni didn't agree with the way that Marbury plays he decided to bench him.

When Jamal Crawford came to the New York Knicks he was known for having hot potato hands with the basketball. Every time Crawford received the ball it was almost a given that he was going to shoot it or commit a turnover. However Jamal Crawford did calm down with his out-of-control ways on the court and became more aware of what he was doing on the court. Mike Dantoni loved Crawford but some time questioned his clock management and his shot selection. Crawford's case was different from Marbury's and Mike Dantoni would have probably kept him if it wasn't for how much money he was making. Therefore Crawford was traded to the Golden State Warriors.

As far as Nate Robinson's situation with Dantoni, it is improving daily. Nate was one of the lucky ones who didn't get traded. Dantoni loved Nate's energy and the way he played the game which was hard all the time. Also Nate played control most of the year and became the Knicks go to player down the stretch of games. Robinson had a terrific year and improved as a player all around.

Mike Dantoni hopes to find a well rounded point guard who was similar to Steve Nash. Even though Chris Duhon did a great job and he out played his contract Mike Dantoni needs an all star type guard who is well rounded and a good decision maker.

How do the Knicks become a playoff team??

Making it to the playoffs would energize this town and Knicks fans all over the world. The playoffs are something the Knicks haven't seen in eight whole years. The last time the Knicks were in the playoffs I was in the third grade and I was eight years old. I am now in the 10th grade and a I am 15 years old. That is a long time for a team to miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

A lot is going to have happen for the Knicks to make the playoffs in the near future. They were in the running for a playoff spot a couple of those eight years that they missed the playoffs. Even though the Eastern Conference became weaker and weaker every year the Knicks still couldn't find away to get over the hump and become playoff bound.

The last winning season that the Knicks had was in the 2000-01 season. Although they went to the playoffs they still had a losing record which show how weak there conference was. It seems like almost every team has a deplorable time which they are losing a lot such as the Hawks, Suns, Cavs and Jazz, however they turn it around and become a productive team. The Knicks have been bad for a long time now and people are starting to lose faith in the team if they ever even had any.

When the Knicks did go to the playoffs which Stephon Marbury led them to they got swept by the Nets in the first round.

Multiple things are going to have to change for the Knicks to make the playoffs. First good decisions from the President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh. He must lead the team and put the talent out there on the floor for the Knicks to be successful.

After that the Coach must be able to bring the team together and form the chemistry that every sports team must have. Also the Coach must be able to gel in with the players and aI think Mike Dantoni is the perfect guy for that. Since he was a former player he would understand what players go through sometimes and how difficult the NBA can get.

Then finally it all trickles down to the player and how much the players want. All the players on the existing roster must be willing to give up there own personal goals for the team goal. Also all of the players must be dedicated to the team and they must want to play in New York. Playing hard is a key component to a winning basketball team and you dont have to be talented to play hard all of the time and give 1oo%.

If all of these components work together smoothly the Knicks should be able to compete for a playoff spot.

In need of Allstar talent!!

Perhaps the summer of 2010 will be the biggest summer in the Knicks franchise history. This summer means a lot and it is crucial that the Knicks leave this summer with not one but two All star type players on the roster. There will be many high calabore players that will be either unrestricted free agents or restricted free agents. The list is mind blowing and it includes Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stodemire, Yao Ming, Manu Gonibli, Dirk Nowitzki, Joe Johnson and Steve Nash. Wow!! There are a lot of young players in that group and a mixture of some veterans to. This may turn out to a win win situation for the Knicks.

I am pretty sure that there will be players out there that are willing to sport the Blue and Orange.

There is mixture of strong guards and productive big men in this free agent class. The Knicks need somebody who has thick skin and some one who can handle the pressure and the expectations that comes with being in New York because the media can be very tough. Most players don't succeed here in the big apple due to all of pressure.

The Knicks can offer a Lebron James or an Dwayne Wade a lot. If a player like that comes here they will be immediately put on a pedestal and will own this town. New York is very different from lets say a Cleveland or a Toronto. If a player does good in this city that means the whole world will be aware of it and more. The amount of endorsements that a player can receive is outstanding.

Hopefully the Knicks will get somebody who wants to be here and somebody who will succeed here because this city is dying for a superstar.

The Italian Stallion has made his mark!!!

When the Knicks fired Isiah Thomas from the helm of there organization and hired former Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh they were immediately looking for a new coach. Mike Dantoni was in the first round of the playoffs against the Spurs.



Dantoni had won 50 games in three straight years as the Suns head coach. He also was coach of the year and was voted by the players as the coach that you would most likely want to be coached by. Dantoni is a players coach who knows the game of basketball. He also played in Italy for numerous years and was a very good player during his time. Which shows that he has made the transition from a former player to a NBA coach. Since Dantoni gets along well with his players he has a unique relationship with them especially since he is former player so he would understand. Dantoni brought energy to the building and just his presents was a good thing because he wasn't a loser from where he came from, and that is what the Knicks have been used to " Losing "

It was no joking matter when Dantoni discussed the state of the franchise and where it is heading.

Dantoni new that the job to turn this franchise around was going to be difficult and a hard task bu he was open to the challenge which excited most Knick Fans. Dantoni was sure going to the change the offense and the Knicks playing style. The first thing he did was draft Danillo Gallanari who is from Italy and has a European game, which is something the Knicks had not had in a long time. This was a culture change in the garden. Then Dantoni sign Chris Duhon who was a backup point guard with the Chicago Bulls. Duhon gave the Knicks a pass first point guard who they haven't had in multiple years.

The system that Dantoni was going to run was so different from the previous one ran by Isiah Thomas. It was so successful and recognized all over the basketball world that it got its own nick name called " seven seconds or less." Which was the system he ran in Phoenix where he went to the conference finals and won 50 games three straight seasons.

Everyone new without a doubt the Knicks were going to be more exciting to watch and stop becoming the laughing stock of the league. However people didn't know how that will translate into wins.

Even though the Knicks did not have a winning season many players grew under the coaching of Dantoni and the camaraderie amongst the players was good and improved drastically from the previous seasons. The fans and the media noticed that players wanted to be on the court and wanted to win, also everyone played hard.

Dantoni did an awesome job this season and changed the culture around the culture and really gave Knicks fans to look forward to something.