Expectations for the Knicks in 2015/16

The 2014/15 NBA season for the New York Knicks was a bad one and none of us want to see that again. So how can we make that happen? Unfortunately we can’t do anything but hope for better days ahead.

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Before every season most fan-bases around the league are gearing up for possible contention or playoff spots. Sadly by early December the majority of those expectations are squashed and the fate of some ten to twelve teams is decided. The same goes for the Knicks heading in to next season, with all the new additions and draft picks this team looks a lot more competitive than when they finished the season. However, we have no idea what this team can or can’t do, sure it looks good on paper but we need to see some actual basketball played.

The Knicks are one of the many sub .500 teams that could clinch the eighth spot in the east. And that’s a reflection on the conference, not the team so lets not get carried away. Of course it’s exciting to see the Knicks in that conversation but to me it seems a tad enthusiastic, and I’m not alone. By December we will see what this team is made of but for now I think we can all definitely afford to apply some wishful thinking.

So yeah, there are a lot of new players and just in case you have been living under a rock for the past three months lets take a look at them now.

Jul 14, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early (17) forward Maurice Ndour (55) and guard Jerian Grant (13) celebrate after scoring on a play against the 76ers during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. The Knicks won the game in overtime, 84-81. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

During free agency period the Knicks picked up Robin Lopez to a four-year deal worth 54 million dollars and signed Arron Afflalo to a two-year deal worth 16 million. Later the former number two pick in 2011, Derrick Williams chose the Big Apple and signed on for two-years to a 10 million dollar deal. Soon the Knicks would sign their draft picks Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant and in the coming weeks would add Kevin Seraphin, Sasha Vujacic and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.

Not a complete overhaul but enough to add competitiveness and some edge in most areas. Robin Lopez should do a decent job at anchoring the defence and cleaning up the boards on both sides of the floor along with Kyle O’Quinn and Kevin Seraphin.

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Arron Afflao should provide some backup scoring and support in most areas, which was desperately missed last season. Derrick Williams hasn’t done enough in his career to warrant a number 2 pick but should add some athleticism and hustle to a Knicks team that frankly lacked all of that last season.Our two draft picks will most likely receive a fair amount of playing time, which should allow them to develop, and please, do all of us a favour and go easy on them.

As for the rest of the new acquisitions, Sasha Vujacic will fit right in. Having played with Phil Jackson in LA the transition should be relatively smooth. He will bring some shooting and experience to a young team. As for Antetokounmpo, at this point he should really provide whatever is needed, whether that is on defense or offense he is alike his brother, a very versatile player and that should prove handy for the Knicks next season.

So what can we really expect from the Knicks next season? I think the target should be as simple as improving the record. If its three wins, great! Just improve it. We don’t need a playoff berth, this roster will probably change even more next season. The idea should be to get these young players experience in a competitive environment and to avoid falling into a losing culture. You see how the 76ers are regarded around the league. If the record is improved, it is certainly a step in the right direction and a solid building block in attracting more free agents next off-season.

Currently the recent ESPN Forecast has the Knicks predicted at the 14^th spot. That seems like a pretty accurate estimation given our recent form but the thing is I’m not necessarily convinced that position would be a bad thing. The players need to develop and build chemistry and that isn’t something that will happen over night or much the same two and a half months from now. A player like Langston Galloway will most likely see a reduction in minutes after the arrival of Jerian Grant, so will he continue to develop with fewer minutes? At this point we don’t even know if Galloway will be included in the long-term. My point being should the development of the young players be sacrificed in order to move up in the standings? I say no. I for one would like to develop the young players, let them grow and make mistakes, which is a lot more difficult when you are making a playoff push. As well as a playoff berth that would probably end in a sweep.

With all the new additions the offense should certainly improve but my concern lies in the defense! Lopez is definitely an upgrade and other acquisitions should do their part but for there to be a drastic improvement it must be a collective effort. Carmelo must know that with this team, in this situation he can’t afford to fall asleep on defense and wake up on offense. Of course even more so in the triangle where everybody needs to work together.

Nevertheless, with that said Anthony will still play a pivotal role in the success of the team and his importance can’t be under estimated. The question is, will he be up to it? Coming off the back off a season ending knee surgery it could take a while for him to acclimatize back into the system. With different teammates and a still relatively new coaching staff.

I don’t think the Knicks will fall to the 14^thspot but I don’t think they will make the playoffs. They will most likely lose to better teams all year and be back around the same spot in 12 months time. For now they fall in the middle, which is a dangerous place to be, just stuck on the treadmill of mediocrity. But hey, here’s to hoping I’m wrong.

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