NBA Knick Talk Article

The Knicks roster this past season had surpassed the one-hundred twenty million dollar mark as they totaled for 123 million dollars total. As many New York Knick fans will tell you, money is never an issue but when they completed the season the Knicks regressed once again and ended up having the worst record in the eastern conference at 23-59. If it weren't for the Blazers who went 22-60, the Knicks would have had the worst record.

Knicks are a clear example on how talent doesn't equal to wins. Three years ago, 2003-2004, the Knicks made the playoffs with 39 wins, no this stat isn't supposed to impress you to the least but when you look at the roster, it was utterly horrific. Yet the team managed to squeak into the playoffs only to be swept by the Nets in the first round.

Isiah Thomas was hired by James Dolanin the middle of that season and brought in Stephon Marbury in hopes to solve the “talent” problems the Knicks had in the back court and brought in Penny Hardaway as well. The Knicks shipped Lampe, Ward, Eisley, and the rights to Milos Vujacic. This was the first of many moves where Isiah Thomas had shipped expiring contracts for over-paid talent.

In the off-season of 2004 the Knicks added more talent to the team and completed a sign-and-trade with the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks were on the receiving end of Jamal Crawford and traded Othello Harrington and Frank Williams to the Bulls. Again the Knicks added talent to their roster but the end result wasn't surprising to say the least. With the addition of Trevor Ariza and Jerome Williams the Knicks won 33 games in 2004-2005. I am not a supporter of Isiah Thomas but even I realize that he added talent, yet the team wasn't clicking.

In the off-season of 2005 the Knicks were granted a relief from the league. A clause would give the Knicks luxury tax relief from any player they wish to cut. The player the Knicks picked was Jerome Williams. A mere subtraction of talent as the Knicks only piled on more. Knicks drafted Channing Frye, Nate Robinson, and David Lee and added center Eddy Curry and used the mid-level-exception on Jerome James. Eddy curry was traded with Antonio Davis for Mike Sweetney, Tim Thomas, and Jermaine Jackson along with a 2006 draft pick and the rights to swap with the Knicks in 2007.

We all know Jerome James was a big mistake but it was added talent nevertheless along with Eddy Curry. If one questions the additions of talent, just look at the draft and the trade for Richardson. The Knicks on paper were better then the previous year and the two years ago. However, the 2005-2006 season turned into failure once again as they won a mere 23 games. Yes, the Knicks failed to be competitive again but they still increased the amount of talent they had after trading for Steve Francis and the signing of Jarred Jefferies and the draft pick of Balkman and Collins. Isiah Thomas hasn't learned from his mistakes that it takes selfless basketball and defense to win games, Knick fans have to hope with the three latest roster moves (Balkman, Collins, and Jefferies) the Knicks will regain the defensive edge they once in the 90's with Mason, Ewing, and Oakley.

Overall, more than adding security to a young team, these signings have created an atmosphere of competition for many starting spots and for time off the bench. While it remains to be seen if that competitiveness will bring the team down or help build it up, it leaves many unanswered questions as to which 5 players will be stepping onto the court on opening night and throughout the season, as well as down the road.

With draft pick Roko Ukic still overseas at PG, along with Jose Calderon and TJ Ford, then Parker, Jones and holdover Morris Peterson looking for the start at SG, a question mark that needs dealing with at SF (and one that won't be answered by incumbent Joey Graham or rookie PJ Tucker out of Texas), Bargnani, Garbajosa and Bosh creating the jam at PF, and finally an underperforming Rasho Nesterovic at C, with no good alternatives other than playing Bosh out of position there, this Raptors team needs to get sorted out, and quick.

Given that Garbajosa is already 28, and Parker older at 31, anything this Toronto team does will have to be quite soon for the signings to pay off. But seeing as Colangelo knows speed better than anyone, and given his track record with run-and-gun Phoenix, quick decisions should be no problem.

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