Knicks 04-05 season preview

[Sargent Stewie]

New York Knicks 04-05 Season Preview
by Sargent Stewie

After falling to New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs last season, Isaiah Thomas was determined to make a big change. Well, no huge changes were made. We acquired Jamal Crawford, and we picked up some bums. But, for some reason, Knicks fans have high hopes. Isn’t that strange?

Do you know what’s even stranger?

I do too.


Players:
Stephon Marbury, Point Guard - The team’s workhorse, Stephon Marbury will have an all-star caliber season this year. The new addition of Jamal Crawford will force Starbury to alter his game play, but it will be for the better as Crawford will prove to be a good complimentary player for New York. Marbury should patch up those stupid unforced turnovers this year, after experiencing some of the crowd’s disapproval. Although he doesn’t have support at Center in New York, he will still get his fair share of assists with a healthy Allan Houston coming into the season.
Grade: A-/A

Allan Houston, Shooting Guard - The loved shooting guard will be healthy at the start of the season according to recent reports. The pressure from newly acquired back-up Jamal Crawford should push Houston to work harder on defense and play with more intensity on offense. Knicks fans never had the privilege of watching Houston drive to the basket consistently, now we may finally get it! His defense should improve as well, as Houston will try to strive to surpass Crawford in a category other than 3-Point shooting.
Grade: B+

Tim Thomas, Small Forward - The under-achieving small forward will have another bad year in my book. His usual promises about how he is determined to improve never amount to anything. The man has no real value to the Knicks. Tim Thomas will never be what he could be, he averages less then 5 rebounds per game against guy at small forward who are 4 inches shorter then him. Not to mention his consistent habits of losing the ball. The only thing Tim Thomas can do is run, but every time he gets the ball, he either shoots or makes a worthless pass! However, when Isaiah seems to get on him about his lack of determination, Tim usually has a big game. So, if Isaiah Thomas is named coach at some point, Tim Thomas should improve.
Grade: B-

Kurt Thomas, Power Forward - Can you believe it? Can you believe we signed Thomas to that big contract and never got out of here? Well, believe it. We’re going to be stuck with Kurt Thomas for at least a little while. Our best shot at losing him for a while will be the deadline. Despite the number of Knicks fans who pop up and say how much they despise Kurt Thomas, I still say that he will have a solid year. Thomas was always a good scorer from mid range, and I think he will improve upon his number last year in a few categories. His game may be boring to watch, but I find it effective.
Grade: B/B+

Nazr Mohamed, Center - Yeah, he’s still playing center for the Knicks. The Knick failed to acquire Erick Dampier this year, and it may come back to bite us. Nazr was never much of a center. He’s 100% bench material, there is simply no doubt. When he comes off the bench he plays for a short while, but in that time he plays with great intensity. However, when he starts his game is dull and seemingly ineffective. His determination quickly dissolves after about 8 minutes of game time. He has no good moves in the post and let’s just say he’s ‘not much’ from outside. Another bad year for Nazt, that’s all I have to say.
Grade: C+



6th Man-

Jamal Crawford, 6th Man - The newly acquire PG/SG from Chicago has landed a fat contract in the big apple! Now what? Well, Wilkins and Isaiah have agreed to have Stephon Marbury and Allan Houston work with Crawford to improve his game. I believe that he will be pushed to take fewer shots, especially from the out on the perimeter. His game appeared selfish when he played in Chicago, but expect that to change when he starts playing in Manhattan, the fans will be on him from the start. Most fans are excited about Crawford, but feel he needs to work out all of his problems before he can possibly be marked down to replace Houston. I think it’s only a matter of time until Crawford steps in and makes an impact. I have high expectations for Crawford, but this year he will learn to play team ball.
Grade: A-


What happened this off-season?
None of the players lost were very important to the team, but nevertheless they’re gone.
Here they are:
Dikembe Mutombo,
Othella Harrington,
Frank Williams,
Cezary Trybanski.

The only real loss out of those 4 is Frank Williams, a young and developing point guard who is dripping with potential.

The players we gained:
Jamal Crawford,
Jerome Williams,
Vin Baker,
Jamison Brewer,
Bruno Sundov,
Menke Bateer.

We re-signed Baker, stole Crawford. Now we’re stuck with these other bums. They will rot on the bench, if they make the team.


Why are Knicks fans excited?
Well, the answer to this question is short and sweet: We can do it this year.

We really can, we can do well this year, I see us advancing into the 2nd round of the playoffs. Maybe even make it to the Eastern Conference finals!

Will the Knicks win the division?
Of course the Knicks will win the Atlantic! Look who we’re up against: Philadelphia, Toronto, Boston, and New Jersey. The only real ‘threat’ is Philadelphia. If we don’t win the division, it won’t be because someone else won, it will be because we beat ourselves.

A quick prediction:

The Knicks will easily win the Atlantic. They’ll get the 4th seed and make it to the 2nd round where they’ll be eliminated.

But in 05-06 we will make it to the Eastern Conference finals, so we all have something to look forward to!

But, talk is cheap, so just wait for the season to start, it’s almost here.

[isiahthomas]

You crack me up talkin about the bums that the Knicks got hahahahahahahahahahahaha. LOL@you said Nazr Mohammed is 100% bench material hahahahahahahahahahahaha. He is a scrub but he's a decent shot blocker & rebounder. Jamal Crawford made a mistake coming to the Knicks cause i think the Bulls have a better future than the Knicks. I liked him playing in the backcourt with Kirk Hinrich. I don't think the Knicks will make it past the first round of the playoffs this yr. Philadelphia will win the division i think if Glenn Robinson can stay healthy. Signing Corliss Williamson made the Sixers bench better.