Will Knicks Prove Critics Wrong?

Courtesy: USA TODAY

The Knicks are coming off a second round playoff exit in which they were simply outplayed by the Indiana Pacers. Despite the early exit, the Knicks were able to take the second seed in the eastern conference last year. It was a weaker eastern conference but it was still an impressive achievement.

This Knicks team has come a long way since Mike D’Antoni resigned his position a season and a half ago. They have been able to somewhat develop an identity and emerging star Iman Shumpert has proven himself in this league. Last season the Knicks had high expectations with the several veteran players they added. Coming off yet another disappointing season, everybody is predicting the Knicks to fail yet again.

The problem with this prediction is that the Knicks actually improved, in my opinion to an elite level. I’m expecting big things from New York this season because of the multiple role players they have signed as well as traded for.

This offseason New York added: Metta World Peace, Andrea Bargnani, Tim Hardaway Jr., CJ Leslie, and Beno Udrih.

Beginning with Metta World Peace; let’s all remember that this man started for the Los Angeles Lakers last season. He averaged double digits and was able to maintain his stellar defensive style of play. New York was able to get him for the minimum as he now gives the Knicks a lineup where they can play Melo at the 4 without having a gaping hole in the defense at the 3. They can also go small with Metta at the 4 when they please. In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated offseason moves this year.

That brings us to another one of the most underrated moves this offseason, Andrea Bargnani. Many people forget this guy averaged 20 points a game a couple seasons ago. He was the former number 1 overall pick by the Raptors and was expected to be a future superstar. It looked that way for a short time until injuries plagued his development. The hostile Toronto fans that constantly booed him did not help either. Now Bargnani got what he needed most, a change in scenery, a new start. Let’s be real, he’s most likely not a superstar as expected, but he can be an excellent off the bench player. Another thing most people don’t seem to pay attention to, they traded him for an overpaid Steve Novak who did absolutely nothing when opposing teams played any sort of defense on him, Marcus Camby who is about 100 years old and was too injured last season to play, and Quentin Richardson who kept Melo’s seat on the bench warm in the playoffs. The Knicks were basically able to acquire a productive player for all benchwarmers, two of which were signed to terrible deals (Novak, Camby). Basically, this deal was a homerun.

Now, Beno Udrih. Udrih was also a solid pick up by the Knicks. He can handle the ball and hit a shot here and there when needed. He’s replacing Jason Kidd who was god awful in the playoffs, not scoring a point over a decent span of games. Udrih will be able to provide some quality minutes off the bench. I expect him to be a very valuable player this season.

CJ Leslie and Tim Hardaway Jr.: I will be honest I don’t know much about either of these guys. I know Hardaway Jr. can hit the three, but as for Leslie all I know is that he can throw it down (according to a cousin of mine he is the next A’mare, hopefully without the injuries). So I can’t speak much in regards to them, but hopefully they are able to provide the Knicks with some much needed youth off the bench.

I predict the Knicks will slash expectations this year and finish the season in the number 3 seed. It’s a veteran squad that has one of the best benches in the entire NBA. They could make a deep run in the playoffs this year, and I know that they are going to run New York City.