It is getting to the point when football, hockey, and basketball return. We are still a few months away from training camps in the NBA begin, but it does not hurt to start previewing teams. So let’s look at the New York Knicks would go out with a bang with signing top free agents to make it hopefully to the playoffs and possibly make a run in a weak Eastern Conference.
The Knicks are coming off a season in which they went 32-50 and missed the playoffs. Midway through the season, they fired Derek Fisher after he compiled a record a 40-96. On February 8, 2016; the Knicks ended up naming assistant coach Kurt Rambis, the interim head coach. When the season came to an end, the first move the Knicks had to make before signing any free agents was to determine who was going to be the head coach.
After looking and interviewing different candidates, they decided to name Jeff Hornacek as the 26th head coach in the Knicks organization. He was previously the head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 2013-2016 and had a record of 101-112. He missed the playoffs in the 2013/2014 season and the 2014/2015 season. He was fired after the 49th game in the 2015/2016 season.
Once the head coach was chosen, then they went out and signed many free agents. They went out and signed Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, Brandon Jennings and traded for Derrick Rose and Justin Holiday. They upgraded at the point guard position from Jose Calderon to Derrick Rose.
According to ESPN, the starting five for the Knicks is as follows C Joakim Noah, SF Carmelo Anthony, PG Derrick Rose, SG Courtney Lee and PF Kristaps Porzingis. This is a huge upgrade over last year’s starting five.
Overall, my biggest concern with this team is the health factor. If you can get 50-65 games out of Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, then the Knicks will be fine. I hope they can strengthening the bench so that they can give Rose and Noah a night off or two. I see this team making the playoffs simply because of how weak the Eastern Conference is.
Once you get past the NBA Champions Cleveland Cavaliers, the East takes a major dip. I see the Knicks getting anything from the 4th seed, if everything goes well, to a 7th seed. I can assure that they will get more wins than last year, but it all depends on the health of the team.