A Steph Closer?

…Knicks’ Year-End Grade

by Guichard Cadet

Before the NBA trade deadline, I anticipated the Atlantic Division to be a force come playoff time. Who knew 3 teams would make the playoffs, and the Knicks would not be one of them. This was a team predicted to win the “weakest” conference in the league.

What happened? Did the division get too tough?

First, the year-end grade is a C-minus. The Knicks faced the same obstacles as other NBA teams, most notably the Denver Nuggets and Los Angles Lakers. All three teams had key injuries to scoring threats, and a coaching change during the season.

Whereas Denver adjusted and made the playoffs, the Knicks and Lakers did not. Neither of these draft lottery-bound teams was expected to be powerhouses, simply to be at or slightly above .500 for the season. That would have kept the Knicks at their preseason grade of B-, and perhaps, garner the team a playoff spot.


The Front Office

At Knicks President Isiah Thomas’ first press conference, he stated the primary goal was to get the team into the playoffs – last season. He accomplished that, but with a losing record. Why make the playoffs the first year then miss it the second year? Wouldn’t it have been easier to bite the bullet the first year?

The past three Knicks coaching changes have come during the season. The first bullet should have been to keep Don Chaney until last season’s end then do a thorough search for a head coach during the off-season.

To make matters worse, the front office repeated the mistake and dealt with another mid-season coaching change.

In sports there is often a battle between the front office and the coaching staff. Though this is can lead to friction, it is the sort of creative difference that can lead to success, provided the coach really has a say in player transactions and how the team is run.


The Coach

This is a tougher decision to write than it is for Isiah Thomas to make. Every sign indicates Herb Williams will be back as head coach – it is the way of the Knicks. The Knicks have not done a thorough coaching search since Pat Riley. Since then the position has been given to an assistant coach. Whether or not they buck recent tradition, these are the questions the owners and front office must ask the coach.

· Will you quit if you see the team headed into a 50-loss season?

· Can you handle the fans yelling “Fire Herb! Fire Herb!”?

· Are you aware that failing under the bright lights of NY might disqualify you from ever getting another head coaching job?

· Are you willing to live and die at the hands of your franchise player?


The Franchise Player

Though the Knicks roster has changed dramatically since the Frank Layden era, his two riskiest moves still plague the franchise: the trading of Patrick Ewing on the final year of his contract; and the draft day trade of Macus Camby and Nene Hilario for Antonio McDyess.

Isiah Thomas’ first trade involved moving McDyess, who was in the final year of his contract. So far, this transaction has been his chanciest because he opted to rebuild within the team’s existing salary structure, instead of letting McDyess’ contract expire. The move for Stephon Marbury filled 2 major holes: a quality point guard, and a star player to be the face of the franchise.

Steph is the epitome of a player who embodies a city and the dominant (hip hop) culture of our times. His persona is best described by the words of two hip hop icons who were cut down in their prime: 2Pac Shakur’s album title (me against the world) and Notorious B.IG.’s lyrics from “Hypnotize” (you got it, flaunt it… that Brooklyn bullsh!t…we’re on it).

The numbers the music or the player puts up to lay bare his value are used as fodder for critics. Though he will never win his critics over, Marbury will do best to realize he cannot lead those who refuse to follow, until they fail at leading. This past season he often played the passive role, letting his teammates shine or fade.

I often wonder what a Marbury-led team would be like, if he were given offensive carte blanche in the manner Philadelphia gives Allen Iverson…then let the coach do the job of making teammates accept it.

Two seasons have ended since the trade and I am bemused whether the Knicks are a step closer to continued years of mediocrity, or back to being a force in the Atlantic Division, and league in general.

At face value, since they have missed the playoffs and are still in salary cap hell, it is easy to say perpetual mediocrity. The saving grace has been the other moves that Isiah Thomas has made, anticipation of the draft, and what he does with two expiring contracts.

Though Thomas does not get credit for drafting Michael Sweetney, when was the last time the Knicks developed a young player? Jamal Crawford, Trevor Ariza and Sweetney are the core of what the Knicks can be in 2 years, provided none of them are included in upcoming trades. Each has different strengths and an eagerness to learn and succeed in the NBA.


The Projected Roster

Point Guard: Stephon Marbury / Jamal Crawford

Shooting Guard: Allan Houston / Trevor Ariza

Small Forward: Maurice Taylor / Jerome Williams

Power Forward: Kurt Thomas or Malik Rose / Michael Sweetney

Center: 2 players To Be Determined

Injured Reserve: 2 players To Be Determined

Expiring Contracts: Anferne Hardaway / Tim Thomas

Draft Picks: 2 first Rounders


Coming into next year, once again, the Knicks’ success depends on the health of Allan Houston. That does not mean he has to start if unhealthy; it means the team should prepare either via the draft or trades to address the situation. Houston’s strengths as a pure shooter was sorely missed during a season in which Marbury often broke down defenses, and where the team faced many zones.

If Houston is not able to start, Trevor Ariza should start at the SG. This will make up for the poor perimeter defense that plagued the backcourt throughout the year.

Starting Maurice Taylor at SF will create a mismatch on the post and he also has good range on his jump shot.

Whichever of the two – Kurt Thomas or Malik Rose – survive the off-season makeover will start at PF, helping to anchor the defense and balance the frontcourt scoring.

For the second unit, the offensive load will rest on the shoulders of Sweetney and Crawford, who will see major minutes at both guard positions. Jerome Williams and the backup Center will provide energy and strong defense.


The team’s pressing need: acquire two Centers. They do not have to be offensive machines, only athletic players that provide a defensive presence, as far as shot blocking, intimidation and rebounds. These players can come via trades of an expiring contract and/or draft picks.

Coupled with drafting players whose style of play matches the current or envisioned roster, Isiah Thomas’ toughest decision will be what to do with the 2 expiring contracts. Since there is a need for a starting Center, it would be hard to hold both contracts for the full year, to get the salaries off the books.

At the same time, Isiah has to continue to keep a realistic vision on how to clear cap space, to match the day Allan Houston’s contract expires.