The New York Knicks have begun to turn things around a bit of late. They've won seven of their last ten games and seven in a row in Madison Square Garden. This recent upsurge in play could be due to a number of reasons. One possibility is the increase of playing time for their youthful forward Mike Sweetney. Since the trade deadline deals that shipped starting center Nazr Muhammad to San Antonio, Sweeteney has started for the Knicks and produced. His low post presence gives the Knicks an added dimension.
The trades themselves could be another reason. Not only is the remaining roster now relaxed, because they won't be traded, but the incoming players include energy players like Maurice Taylor and Malik Rose. The criticism of those trades is that the Knicks now possess about five of a similar type of player, energy-bringing power forwards. Sweetney, Taylor, Rose, Kurt Thomas, and Jerome Williams each bring something different to the table, but their dishes are all within the same food group.
Despite these players, the Knicks effort is often inconsistent. When they play will maximum exertion, they tend to succeed, but their uninspired play from time to time is new for fans of recent Knicks teams. We actually have a good offensive club, but a weak defensive team on our hands. The Knicks have been undersized since a now retired Larry Johnson became the starting power forward, so that's nothing new. We fans have gotten used to witnessing rebounds slip away as a valiant Kurt Thomas tries desperately to out-man three rebounders.
As far as the prospects of the team, the phrase must be cautious optimism. Stephan Marbury is a topflight point guard. I remember one analyst this season claiming that if Marbury is your team's best player, you might be in a bit of trouble. He went on to elaborate that with Marbury as your third best player, you've got a title contender. I tend to agree. With this team, Marbury needs to be more aggressive to the basket, but when he has people around him, then he can be the unselfish player that he has become. Even if he becomes the third best player on the team, he will be the cornerstone of our championship hopes. Concerning other guards, I love Allan Houston, he has done so much for the Knicks over the years, but we have to plan for a future without him (or with him as a high-priced scorer coming of the bench). Jamal Crawford can do some spectacular things on the court, but only on the half where his team is trying to score.
I think Kurt Thomas needs to stay (so should Herb Williams). He brings a lot to the table as a starter or backing up Sweetney. Obviously, a lot depends on Sweetney. If he can become a lowpost scoring force, we're in business. We need a center, but so does virtually every team, so with an improved Sweetney, and KT we'll be alright. The key will be getting a star small forward, easier said than done I know. A star small forward would really bring the team together. Someone like Grant Hill in his prime, a great passer and defender, who can score when things begin to break down. Lebron James fits the role, but perhaps there will be a more practical candidate available at some point.
Clearly Isaiah Thomas needs to take care of our salary cap issues and stop signing overweight over-priced over-the-hill power forwards. The recent trades did garner two future first round picks, but they're from the Spurs, so they'll be low. We should try to go for that star small forward at some point, but also draft four year college players late in the first round. Tayshaun Prince rings a bell, among others. It should be an interesting near future for the Knicks. Especially if we keep head coach Herb Williams.
The trades themselves could be another reason. Not only is the remaining roster now relaxed, because they won't be traded, but the incoming players include energy players like Maurice Taylor and Malik Rose. The criticism of those trades is that the Knicks now possess about five of a similar type of player, energy-bringing power forwards. Sweetney, Taylor, Rose, Kurt Thomas, and Jerome Williams each bring something different to the table, but their dishes are all within the same food group.
Despite these players, the Knicks effort is often inconsistent. When they play will maximum exertion, they tend to succeed, but their uninspired play from time to time is new for fans of recent Knicks teams. We actually have a good offensive club, but a weak defensive team on our hands. The Knicks have been undersized since a now retired Larry Johnson became the starting power forward, so that's nothing new. We fans have gotten used to witnessing rebounds slip away as a valiant Kurt Thomas tries desperately to out-man three rebounders.
As far as the prospects of the team, the phrase must be cautious optimism. Stephan Marbury is a topflight point guard. I remember one analyst this season claiming that if Marbury is your team's best player, you might be in a bit of trouble. He went on to elaborate that with Marbury as your third best player, you've got a title contender. I tend to agree. With this team, Marbury needs to be more aggressive to the basket, but when he has people around him, then he can be the unselfish player that he has become. Even if he becomes the third best player on the team, he will be the cornerstone of our championship hopes. Concerning other guards, I love Allan Houston, he has done so much for the Knicks over the years, but we have to plan for a future without him (or with him as a high-priced scorer coming of the bench). Jamal Crawford can do some spectacular things on the court, but only on the half where his team is trying to score.
I think Kurt Thomas needs to stay (so should Herb Williams). He brings a lot to the table as a starter or backing up Sweetney. Obviously, a lot depends on Sweetney. If he can become a lowpost scoring force, we're in business. We need a center, but so does virtually every team, so with an improved Sweetney, and KT we'll be alright. The key will be getting a star small forward, easier said than done I know. A star small forward would really bring the team together. Someone like Grant Hill in his prime, a great passer and defender, who can score when things begin to break down. Lebron James fits the role, but perhaps there will be a more practical candidate available at some point.
Clearly Isaiah Thomas needs to take care of our salary cap issues and stop signing overweight over-priced over-the-hill power forwards. The recent trades did garner two future first round picks, but they're from the Spurs, so they'll be low. We should try to go for that star small forward at some point, but also draft four year college players late in the first round. Tayshaun Prince rings a bell, among others. It should be an interesting near future for the Knicks. Especially if we keep head coach Herb Williams.
Atlantic Division
Team Wins Losses
Bos 31 - 29
Phil 29 - 32
Knicks 26 - 34
NJ 26 - 35
Tor 25 - 35
Team Wins Losses
Bos 31 - 29
Phil 29 - 32
Knicks 26 - 34
NJ 26 - 35
Tor 25 - 35
Playoff race
7) Orl 31 - 28
8) Ind 30 - 30
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8) Ind 30 - 30
_________________________________________________________
9) Phil 29 - 32
10) Knicks 26 - 34
10) Knicks 26 - 34
Knicks 2004-05 Roster
NUM PLAYER POS HT WT DOB FROM YRS
21 Trevor Ariza F 6-8 200 06/30/1985 UCLA R
45 Jackie Butler* C 6-10 250 03/10/1985 CCA (VA) R (injured)
11 Jamal Crawford G 6-5 190 03/20/1980 Michigan '03 4
1 Anfernee Hardaway G-F 6-7 215 07/18/1971 Memphis '93 11
20 Allan Houston* G 6-6 205 04/20/1971 Tennessee '93 11 (injured)
8 Jermaine Jackson G 6-5 204 06/06/1976 Detroit '99 3
3 Stephon Marbury G 6-2 200 02/20/1977 Georgia Tech '96 8
13 Malik Rose F 6-7 245 11/23/1974 Drexel '96 8
14 Bruno Sundov C 7-2 260 02/10/1980 Croatia 6
50 Michael Sweetney F 6-8 270 10/25/1982 Georgetown '04 1
2 Maurice Taylor F 6-9 255 10/30/1976 Michigan '97 6
40 Kurt Thomas F 6-9 235 10/04/1972 Texas Christian '95 9
5 Tim Thomas F 6-10 240 02/26/1977 Villanova '97 7
31 Jerome Williams F-C 6-9 206 05/10/1973 Georgetown '96 8
HEAD COACH :
Herb Williams (College - Ohio State '81)
Herb Williams (College - Ohio State '81)
ASSISTANT COACHES :
Brendan Suhr; Mark Aguirre (College - DePaul '82); George Glymph (College - Benedict '65); Michael Malone (College - Loyola (MD) '94); Greg Brittenham (College - Nebraska-Kearney '80).
Brendan Suhr; Mark Aguirre (College - DePaul '82); George Glymph (College - Benedict '65); Michael Malone (College - Loyola (MD) '94); Greg Brittenham (College - Nebraska-Kearney '80).
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