By John Otano
The New York Knicks aren’t the worst team in basketball
That dubious honor currently goes to the New Jersey Nets (0-13). You could make the argument that the Minnesota Timberwolves give the Nets a run for their misery this season, but at least the Knicks separate themselves from these teams with a few wins. Give some credit to the Knicks for pushing the Celtics, although the Celts aren’t playing up to their potential, to the buzzer last week at the Garden. People will point and laugh at Nate Robinson shooting at the Knicks basket but be thankful the Knicks were able to walk out of that game with a victory. On the bright side of things, the roster is filled with expiring contracts that will allow the Knicks to redefine the term rebuilding in 2010. Whether or not they do land superstars like LeBron James and/or Dwyane Wade is possible with the roster that is currently out there right now. Fans might be outraged that the organization failed to sign Allen Iverson but the Donnie Walsh and company have their eyes set on 2010 and they do offer something Knicks fans should be thankful for. Hope. There is hope for this organization after Isiah Thomas ran it into the ground. Just not this year.
Danilo Gallinari is NOT a bust With the 6th pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks took 6’10 Italian forward, Danilo Gallinari. Gallinari went on to average a little over six points a game while playing in only 28 games. Outrage at another botched draft pick boiled over as Knicks fans had the pleasure of watching draft picks the Knicks passed over, Eric Gordon and Brook Lopez, have immediate impacts for their respective teams. Knicks fans are already calling Jordan Hill, picked 8th overall in 2009, after watching Brandon Jennings, selected 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, set a Bucks record by pouring in 55 points. This season, however, Gallinari is emerging as a budding star for the Knicks. The Italian swing man has shown his pure shooting ability, shooting a shade under 45 percent from beyond the arc. Here’s the best part of having this guy with immense talent and upside on the Knicks. He’s 21 and he’s only going to get better. He might not develop into his International elder, Dallas forward, Dirk Nowitzki, but he has all the tools to be a diet version of the former MVP. While Knicks fans will point to Eric Gordon and Brandon Jennings as failures in the draft plan, be thankful for the presence of a player that has the potential to turn into superstar. On the bright side, you won’t have to worry about the Knicks blowing a draft pick this year. Isiah traded it years ago.
Iverson is NOT the answer
Here’s something to be really thankful for. No AI headaches for the rest of the year. Sure, bringing a player on board like Iverson will instantly add a jolt to the offense as the future Hall of Famer can still get it in. This is the type of signing the New York Knicks do NOT need. Columnists have argued that the Knicks organization doesn’t care about the fans by not making the move for Iverson but there is some logic behind not signing him up. At best, Iverson would just provide some entertainment to a team that is going to struggle to win games the rest of the season. He doesn’t fit in with the long term plans of the Knicks even though he probably would have signed a one year deal at best. That one year deal isn’t worth the headaches and circus that seems to follow Allen Iverson. Why do you think he lasted so long in Memphis? They have a young group of players that need to grow, not be held back by disgruntled veteran that wants to win his first NBA Championship. If AI really wants to win, the Knicks isn’t the place for him to go. Sign with the Lakers. The Celtics. The Magic. Be thankful AI is far away from Madison Square Garden.
Kobe Bryant comes to MSG
Mark your calendars. January 22, 2010. The King already came and left with whispers of his exit of Cleveland in 2010 surrounding the game of his impending free agency in 2010. Boring. Greatness comes to the Garden in the form of the best basketball player in the planet, Kobe Bryant. If there is one thing Kobe Bryant loves is the playing under the brightest lights in the world. Of all the superstars in the NBA, Bryant is the only player that thrives when all the attention on him. When most men will have their blood boil over from the pressure of playing on the biggest stage of the world, Kobe’s blood turns cold. He’s an assassin that loves Madison Square Garden, and Knicks fans have come to appreciate his greatness. Last year’s 61 point effort set the Madison Square Garden record for most points scored in a single game. Do I need you to remind you of the legends that have played in the Garden. Jordan. Bird. Magic. Be thankful that you have the opputurnity to watch the greatest basketball player in the world.
2010 is almost here
It’s almost here. So close yet so far away. LeBron. Wade. Bosh. The wait is almost too much to bear for Knicks far. The franchise has been mired in mediocrity for years and this just won’t cut it in New York. As mentioned before, the organization has set itself for something it has been missing for years: hope. Be thankful for the younger players and be hopeful that the allure of the greatest city in the world can help rebuild a once proud basketball franchise. Until then, stuff that turkey down, pass the stuffing and turn the game on.