NBA
BASKETBALL: Knicks
Off-Season Adjustments By MARCUS
A. HENRY
June 21, 2001
For the first
time in 10 seasons the New York Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs
in the first round. Just two seasons removed from an appearance in the
NBA finals makes this recent playoff failure that much more disappointing.
After watching the first round series against the Toronto Raptors it's
plain to see where the Knicks need to improve.
IN THE PAINT:
The Knicks finished 25th in rebounding last season. If they hope to challenge
the Philadelphia 76ers for the Eastern Conference title next season they
will have to get bigger and tougher down low. Marcus Camby, though athletic
and versatile was often overmatched in the middle and took a pounding.
As a result, he missed 19 games due to a various assortment of injuries.
Without a true pivot man to help out down low, Camby will continue to pile
up the injuries. Kurt Thomas proved to be a very serviceable player when
not in foul trouble. Thomas did a better job of controlling his temper
and averaged a career-high 10.4 points per game. It is now evident that
even a healthy Larry Johnson can no longer give the Knicks the rebounding
they need. Johnson averaged a career-low 9.9 points and pulled down a paltry
5.6 rebounds per game. Frequent back problems forced Johnson to miss 17
games as well as the Toronto series and seriously ponder retirement. Little
used Felton Spencer and Luc Longley offered the Knicks little off the bench
and forced head coach Jeff Van Gundy to go to a small lineup when faced
with injuries or foul trouble. The Sacramento Kings' soon-to-be free agent
forward Chris Webber is at the top of the Knicks wish list. However the
chances of the Knicks obtaining him are not very good. If the Knicks decide
to go the sign-and-trade route to get Webber, they will have to part with
Camby and guards Latrell Sprewell or Allan Houston.
ON THE PERIMETER:
Houston, Sprewell and Glen Rice provided most of the perimeter offense
for the Knicks. Due to the lack of an inside presence and a penetrating
point guard, they all shot in the low forties and had to fight through
numerous double teams to get open. For the Knicks to get high percentage
shooting out of the trio they must find a point guard who can drive, draw
and dish on a consistent basis. Charlie Ward is too mechanical and doesn't
posses the ball handling skills to provide that, and Mark Jackson lacks
the necessary speed and quickness. The Knicks do not have a first round
draft pick and will only be able to upgrade the point guard position through
a trade. Numerous reports have Seattle's Gary Payton on the Knicks wish
list. To get Payton the Knicks would have to part with Sprewell, Houston,
Camby and or Rice. Houston, who has an opt-out clause in his contract will
exercise that option and become a free agent this summer. Before Madison
Square Garden president Dave Checketts stepped down he reportedly was ready
to sign Houston to a 7 year $115 million deal. It has been widely reported
that Checketts stepping down will not change the Knicks position on re-signing
Houston to a long-term deal.
OUTLOOK:
This team is structurally flawed. As long as Houston and Sprewell remain
on the roster, one of them will be forced to play out of position at small
forward. Glen Rice is too small to play power forward and Sprewell and
Houston are not good enough ball handlers to survive as an everyday point
guard. Until they can find a top-flight point guard and a dominating post
presence the Knicks will struggle to find high percentage shots for their
perimeter players and continue to be dominated on the boards. The chances
of the Knicks upgrading both positions are very slim. If they can upgrade
one of the positions, preferably power forward or center they will definitely
have a shot at a deep playoff run next season.
