Knicks back on the warpath (New York Knicks)

Member Name: SaveFerris

Product:	New York Knicks
Date:	30/06/09 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun to watch, great history

Disadvantages: recovering from a brutal few years

2009-10 Roster (correct as of 30th June 2009)

PLAYER POS HT WT
Wilson Chandler F 6-8 220
Joe Crawford G 6-5 210
Eddy Curry C 6-11 285
Toney Douglas G 6-1 200
Chris Duhon G 6-1 185
Danilo Gallinari F 6-10 225
Al Harrington F 6-9 250
Jordan Hill F 6-10 235
Larry Hughes F 6-5 185
Chris Hunter F-C 6-11 240
Jared Jeffries C-F 6-11 240
David Lee F-C 6-9 240
Darko Milicic F-C 7-0 275
Cuttino Mobley G 6-4 215
Nate Robinson G 5-9 180
Mouhamed Sene C 6-11 230
Chris Wilcox C 6-10 235

Head Coach:
Mike D'Antoni

All is not well with the New York Knicks. Once known as the Mecca of Basketball, there was a time when apposing teams feared their annual visits to Madison Square Garden. For decades, the Knicks were warriors who defended the honor of representing New York basketball with pride and ferocity. Reed, Fraizer, DeBusschere, Monroe, Ewing, Oakley, Starks. All bled for this team. All embodied what it was to be a Knick.

Then on the September 20th 2000 the Knicks ended an era and traded franchise center Patrick Ewing. Despite the fact Ewing was in the waning years of his career, what he represented was the last bastion of what a Knick should be. He was the last of a breed of soldiers to grace the hardwood floors of The Garden. Oakley and Starks were long gone. And while players like Allan Houston tried commendably to uphold the traditions, the Knicks were missing a leader... any leader.

Since then, things went from bad to worse. Now a team without an identity, the Knicks juggled the roster non-stop for the next few years, trying to keep their heads above water in the playoff race. Sooner or later, they were bound to run out of steam.

That time came when Isaiah Thomas came to town. Able to sell himself with both his flashy smile and promises, Isaiah molded the Knicks into his own personal project. This led to a roster full of players who mirrored Isaiah's own personality. That is, one of misplaced self confidence, selfish me first attitudes and immature personal troubles not far behind them.

Amazingly, this lasted for several years and only mercifully ended when the Knicks owners, tired of being embarrassed by Isaiah and his sidekick Stephon Marbury finally saw sense and let him go.

And so began the reform. Hiring Donnie Walsh has General Manager brought the Knicks a competent experienced General Manager. The addition of Mike D'Antoni and his free wheeling run and gun style as head coach has injected the Knicks with a sense of fun. And although the Knicks didn't win all that many more games last year, the mood around The Garden is a much improved one.

Pride has been restored.

Although the roster is talented and perfectly molded around D'Antonis style, the team still lacks a leader on the court. A player that will lead by example, and shoulder responsibility, someone to sound the battle cry, a warrior... in short, a Knick.

But this roster is not without purpose. Through clever trades and wise spending, the Knicks are now in position to be big spenders when next years crop of free agents become available...a group that includes as target number 1 a certain LeBron James...You may have heard of him.

The current Knicks are the supporting cast for whoever they can nab that summer. Once the team is complete, look for the Knicks to be relevant again. Re-enforcements are on the way. Time to be proud again.

Summary: The next year and a half will decide if all the hard work has paid off