The New York Knicks, once a respectable NBA basketball organization, left New York fans hopeless and in shambles since their last playoff run in 2004, when they were swept in the opening round by the New Jersey Nets. Ever since that 2003-2004 season, to say that the Knicks have been a highly regarded franchise is the same as stating that Warde is not as good a school as Ludlowe. Some statements are just indisputably wrong.
When we look at the seasons leading up to this 2010-2011 season, the Knicks have been anything but a stellar team. In fact, the closest the Knicks came to winning half of their regular season games was during their last post-season run in 2003-2004, in which they were still four games under .500.
When we add in the 173 wins and 319 losses, which has been their record for the past six seasons, as well as the fact that the Knicks haven’t qualified for the playoffs in the past six years, it makes this New York organization look all the more spectacular. Although many fans equate their team’s collapse with former President of Basketball Operations Isaiah Thomas’, and owner James Dolon’s poor acquisitions, others feel as though it is a lack of heart and desire from the team members. Most would say that it’s a combination of both.
From trading for former NBA star Stephon Marbury, who now plays in China, to acquiring Eddy Curry, who contributed little to the Knicks over his five-season tenure, Dolan and Thomas essentially ruined the franchise over the past six or so years. Thomas traded for and recruited players who were mediocre at best, and had given them contracts that put the Knicks in a deep hole when it came to acquiring star players.
To put things in perspective, Eddy Curry, one of Thomas’ biggest acquisitions as President of Basketball Operations, was being paid $11 million a year even though he only played three games in the 2008-2009 season and seven in the 2009-2010 season. However, when Dolan announced that Donnie Walsh would be taking over Thomas’ position as President of Basketball Operations for the Knicks on April 2nd, 2008, it signaled a new beginning for New York’s once promising franchise. Walsh essentially became a house cleaner, as he attempted to clean up the mess that Thomas had left for him on the kitchen table.
Through trading a bunch of Thomas’ acquisitions in order to clear up the Knicks’ payroll, Walsh attempted to do what so many Knicks had only dreamed of: clearing up enough cap space by 2010 so that the Knicks could acquire one or more of the notable 2010 free agents. Although it took several years, by 2010 Walsh presented the Knicks with an opportunity to return this franchise to its prominent past by signing Lebron James, Amar’e Stoudemire, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, or Dwayne Wade.
Despite the fact that James, Bosh, and Wade decided to take their talents to South Beach for the 2010-2011 season, the Knicks were able to land six-time NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire on July 5th, 2010. When Stoudemire was introduced to the world’s most famous arena on his debut, Madison Square Garden came alive, as the 2010-2011 season could be the chance for the Knicks to make a run at the playoffs and return to prominence once again. Thanks to Walsh’s efforts, Knicks Coach Mike D’Antoni’s tactics and organization, as well as Stoudemire’s leadership and talent, the Knicks find themselves in playoff contention as they occupy the sixth spot of the Eastern Conference with a record of 30 wins and 27 losses by March 1st, 2011. With 15 teams to a conference and two conferences, the Eastern and Western, the top eight teams from each conference go on to the make the playoffs. The fact that the Knicks, with more than 25 games left to play, have more wins already than the past six Knicks teams and are in the playoff picture, means so much for this franchise, and for the many Knicks fans.
Yet the rebuilding process continues, as Walsh and Dolan announced the acquisition of five-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets on February 22nd, 2011, in hopes of bringing the Knicks one step closer to winning the championship. When Anthony made his debut against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 23rd, his entry to the song “Coming Home” by Diddy Dirty Money sent chills down the spines of the millions of viewers, as he returned back home to New York and carried the Knicks to a 114-108 victory.
In his pregame interview before his debut, Anthony stated proudly that “New York basketball is back…we are moving in the right direction.”
Although a championship may be unlikely in the next couple of seasons, the New York Knicks have begun to turn themselves around and become a playoff-contending team. The fact that New Orleans Hornets’ All-Star Point Guard Chris Paul or New Jersey Nets’ Deron Williams expressed open willingness to sign with the Knicks in 2012, shows that the acquisition of two NBA All-Stars, in Stoudemire and Anthony, makes the Knicks franchise and Madison Square Garden that much more desirable to play for. In the next couple of years, an NBA title for the New York Knicks may not be too far out of the question.
Only time will tell.
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