New York Knicks 2008 Season Preview

Coach Mike D’Antoni leads the Knicks into an era of winning that brings back the proud legacy of the Knickerbockers.

New York Knicks: 2007-08 Overview

The New York Knicks and fans with New York Knicks tickets were forced to endure one more year under the disastrous reign of Isiah Thomas. The New York Knicks were constantly shifted between differing offensive and defensive styles and could never find their rhythm as a unit on either side of the court. SG Jamal Crawford stepped up to the plate and managed to play well in both systems. C Eddy Curry was hobbled with injury, but the superstar still managed to be a force on offense and defense.

The key moment for the New York Knicks was a shakeup in the front office and coaching positions. Donnie Walsh was brought in to take over the general manager role and is widely known for his ability to draft talent. Head coach Mike D’Antoni was hired from the Phoenix Suns and will bring a new system and more importantly stability to the New York Knicks. Under the old Isiah Thomas administration the New York Knicks finished with a dismal 23-59 record.

New York Knicks: Offseason

Donnie Walsh and Mike D’Antoni were obviously the two most important moves of the New York Knicks in the offseason, but the roster was also put in flux. The New York Knicks added rookies Patrick Ewing, Jr., Danilo Gallinari, and Dan Grunfeld to run the fast-paced Mike D’Antoni offense. PG Chris Duhon signed as a free agent and will be expected to make an immediate impact. The first New York Knicks offseason under Donnie Walsh appears to be light years ahead of those of Isiah Thomas.

New York Knicks: Offense

New York Knicks tickets will feature the Knicks incorporate the same offensive system run by the Phoenix Suns under Mike D’Antoni. That means that the New York Knicks will emphasize speed and quickness in a relentless attack on opposing defenses. It will take a lot of roster shuffling to find the right pieces to the puzzle, but SG Jamal Crawford (20.6 PPG) will factor into the offense as the leading scorer from the 2007-08 NBA season. C/F Zach Randolph (17.6 PPG) is a mobile big man and has the speed to stretch the court.

Center Eddy Curry (13.2 PPG) will have a tough time adapting to the speedy offense but could be a monster in the system once he recovers from injury. New York Knicks first-round pick Danilo Gallinari is injured right now but will be the perfect fit when healthy. New York Knicks tickets feature PG Chris Duhon (5.8 PPG), who was brought in to be a featured player in the new offensive system of the New York Knicks and could have a career year.

New York Knicks: Defense

Jamal Crawford led the New York Knicks defense in the 2007-08 NBA season and forced plenty of turnovers. Jamal Crawford led the New York Knicks in steals while the huge C Eddy Curry led the New York Knicks in blocks. SG Chris Duhon is a strong defender, and if he thrives in the new defensive system he could lead the New York Knicks in several defensive stats. The speed of the New York Knicks will allow them to grab more rebounds and nab more turnovers.

New York Knicks: Lineup

Point Guard: Chris Dhuhon, Stafon Marbury
Shooting Guard: Jamal Crawford, Nate Robinson
Small Forward: Quentin Richardson, Jared Jefferies
Power Forward: Zach Rudolph, David Lee
Center: Eddy Curry, Malik Rose

New York Knicks: Outlook

Changes to the front office and head coach position mean that things are looking better for the New York Knicks than they have had in years. Smart personnel decisions by the front office will avoid drafting busts or wasting cap room on pricey free agents. A dedicated coaching style and system will allow the New York Knicks to establish an identity all their own while also embracing a new culture of winning that fans with New York Knicks tickets are sure to get excited about.

The Boston Celtics showed what only a few moves can do to take a team from the basement to the penthouse. The New York Knicks did not make huge trades like the Boston Celtics, but they are laying the foundation for a solid team and a great future. The Atlantic Division of the NBA has historically been the top division in basketball and with the NBA Champion Boston Celtics on top, the New York Knicks will have a tough road ahead. A great coach can still right the ship in a season and the New York Knicks certainly have that.