How a year changes things. Jason Kidd is now coaching across the East River, while key bench players like Steve Novak, Kurt Thomas, & Chris Copeland have left. The team has added new faces, with the likes of Beno Udrih, Metta WorldPeace, Tim Hardaway Jr. & defensive stalwart (insert chuckle) Andrea Bargnani putting on the orange and blue. The additions in the off-season coupled with players like Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler & J.R Smith, should have made the Knicks a very competitive team, fighting for a top 3 spot in the Eastern Conference.
It's early, but a top 3 finish doesn't seem too likely with the current make-up of the team. The Knicks have started the season 3-5, with little signs of improvement coming anytime soon. Wins over the Hawks, Bobcats & Bucks are not exactly something to get overly excited about either. Carmelo Anthony has started off the season in strong form, but his numbers aside, the Knicks run a static offense with little ball movement and one that lacks real outside shooters (other than the trigger happy J.R Smith). Udrih, World Peace & Hardaway Jr. have not yet rivalled Kidd, Novak & Copeland's 3 point and jump shooting production from last year. While the offensive struggles are sizeable now, any team with the NBA's reigning scoring champ Carmelo Anthony on the floor will have a chance to put up points.
The defensive side of the ball is where the real worries lay. While perimeter defense shouldn't be a worry with Iman Shumpert & Metta World Peace in the fold, the rest of the Knicks are a defensive liability on the court. Amare Stoudemire & Carmelo Anthony's defensive efforts (or lack thereof) have been well documented over the last few years, but you can add everyone's favourite pasta pusher Andrea Bargnani to the mix now. Rushed out of Toronto for his terrible defensive effort & lacklustre play, the former 1st overall pick & his $11 million annual salary was welcomed by the Knicks' management team. While Bargnani has scored 20+ points in the last two games, he remains a poor defensive player most of the time. Couple this with J.R Smith's bad shot selection, which often puts the Knicks in poor transition defense, is a recipe for disaster.
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| Andrea Bargnani: Comes to NY with major defensive issues |
So what can the Knicks do to stop the bleeding? Signing Marcus Camby or Kurt Thomas, who are both available could be a stop gap measure. But how much of a better team would that make the Knicks? Title contenders? Not a chance.
Another option is to go the trade route. With no first round draft picks until 2018 (yes, 5 years from now) the Knicks options are fairly limited. Two names being floated in the rumour mill are: the Manimal, Kenneth Faried & 7 footer Omer Asik.
A deal for Houston's Asik would be a solid addition for the Knicks. The 7 foot Asik would give the Knicks more length, a defensive boost and allow the team to have a formidable 1,2 combo with Chandler & the Turk. But this deal is very unlikely as Asik comes with a hefty salary. In order to make this move, the Knicks would likely have to dump some of their own salary & include a big piece of their own in the trade. Additionally, the Rockets are looking for a stretch four big man, who can shoot from the outside & spread the floor. The Knicks do not have this asset to trade.
With Faried, the Knicks would get a PF with one hell of a motor. Physicality, athleticism & intensity is what Faried brings on the court, exactly what the Knicks need in their frontcourt. So what's the damage? Denver will likely want New York's young star SG Iman Shumpert & picks. Is letting go of Shumpert worth it? With J.R Smith locked in for the next 2 years, New York still have a solid shooting guard in Smith. While letting go of Shumpert would be a tough loss for Knicks fans, Faried is the player the Knicks need right now.
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| Carmelo Anthony: Will he stay or go after this season? |
If the Knicks choose to stand pat, this could be a season to forget with long lasting ramifications. All successful teams need decent team defense in the NBA, without that the Knicks will be a one and done team in the playoffs. With Carmelo Anthony already deciding that he will test the market in the off season, would he really want to re-sign with a team with limited cap space, no draft picks until 2018 and limited young talent? My guess is no. The Knicks need to make moves now, and move quickly. Or they may risk losing the one superstar they went all in on.
