The process of events this Knicks offseason have been ludicrous. Obviously the biggest story was the loss of Jeremy Lin to the Houston Rockets. Before the contract disputes, Lin wished to remain a Knick, and the Knicks wished to keep Lin. Head coach Mike Woodson even announced that he anticipated on Lin being the starting point guard. But then came the absurdity of the politics. An original offer that appeared to have Lin as a Knick was altered, and James Dolan became insulted due to the cost of the new contract particularly in the third year. Then as Dolan often does, he reacted emotionally and traded for Raymond Felton. Bye-bye Linsanity.
Knicks fans have mixed opinions about Lins departure. Many are heartbroken, but many also believe Felton is flat out better and Lin was greedy to change the initial contract. The raw talent lost or gained is certainly at this point debatable, but will remain to be seen.
But what isn't debatable, is what Jeremy Lin's revival of the Knicks season last year meant to the fans. Without question it was the most exciting basketball the Knicks have played in a decade. It provided new hope for the Garden faithful and is without a doubt one of the most inspiring stories of an underdog that maximized his potential and refused to quit. Most importantly, it provided a new attitude towards Knicks basketball. Something Knicks fans rightfully deserve. And unfortunately the fans had to see Lin go out the door for a lot of reasons that aren't fair; The very fans that cherished and believed in him. Jeremy Lin obviously isn't the best point guard in the NBA, but the city gave him a chance and he rose to the occasion. What Lin emotionally meant to the fans was too important for him not to return in the orange and blue.
As heartbroken as fans may be, Knicks fans will definently be forgiving if the team can produce a very successful season. Successful meaning more than a one and done playoff appearance, an actual championship contender.
Unfortunately the words championship can't even be in the Knicks vocabulary this year. The additions of Marcus Camby and Jason Kidd are positive in the fact that they are big names, but they are without question way past their prime and signed for way too much. Marcus Camby has a reputation of a serious shot blocker and physical presence. He is a four time defensive player of the year winner. But due to injury he played in 19 games last season, and the season before that only played for half the season. In fact, Camby has never played an entire season in his career, and the Knicks gave up Toney Douglas, Josh Harrison, Jerome Jordan, and two future draft picks to get him at age 38. To sign him for 3 years no less.
Jason Kidd is known for being one of the best rebounding point guards to ever play the game. He is a veteran player and knows how to win. But the Knicks have signed him for 3 years at age 39. He's coming off a mediocre season in Dallas, and to say he'll be an effective contributor for 3 years is not a gurantee.
The Knicks have quickly said their goodbyes to Linsanity, traded for Felton, and acquired veterans in Jason Kidd and Marcus Camby. They've certainly been busy this offseason but to say they've improved from last year is tough to conclude. Unless the dysfunctionality of Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire and the excuse they've constantly provided since coming to New York comes to an abrupt halt, the Knicks may be in store for a season very similar to last years. A year that concluded with an embarassing excuse for a playoff performance where the Miami Heat made a mockery of our very presence. The Knicks did not stand much of a chance to beat Miami, but they certainly didn't give the fans their best effort.
Maybe the Knicks will scratch out a good season. Maybe Felton will have success as he did previously with the Knicks and the veteran additions of Camby and Kidd will come to play and help the players around them. Maybe Melo and Amar'e will put egos aside and learn to do whatever it takes to win and have the Knicks thinking more than just a 7th or 8th seed.
The point of this blog: Those are pretty big maybes.
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