The post-Patrick Ewing era has been highlighted by awful trades, bad contracts, poor drafts, a sexual harassment lawsuit, a brawl at the mecca and nine straight seasons with fewer than 40 wins. The New York Knicks are one of the NBA’s most-storied franchises, but their biggest failures will identify the past decade. Isiah Thomas’ front office flops, Stephon Marbury’s public feuds, Eddy Curry’s grossly overpaid contract and top-10 draft busts Mike Sweetney, Channing Frye, Danilo Gallinari and Jordan Hill all have contributed to what has been the most dysfunctional organization over the past 10 years.
But could New Yorkers finally have a team they can pull for again?
On Sunday, the Knicks (13-9) won their seventh straight road game — matching the team’s longest streak since 1995. And after years of offseason blunders, newly acquired players are flourishing in coach Mike D’Antoni’s uptempo, high-scoring offensive system.
Many doubted Amare Stoudemire could produce at the same All-Star level without two-time MVP Steve Nash dishing him easy buckets. But Stoudemire’s 24.9 points and 9.0 rebounds a game rival his best seasons in Phoenix.
And many questioned if point guard Raymond Felton was the right player to orchestrate D’Antoni’s fast-paced offense. But Felton is averaging career highs in points (18.1), assists (8.3) and field goal percentage (.469).
And the Knicks even found a gem late in the draft. Second-round selection Landry Fields won rookie of the month in the Eastern Conference for November, beating out the Wizards’ No. 1 pick John Wall among others. Fields has helped an undersized frontline by averaging 7.4 rebounds a game — most in the NBA for a shooting guard. During his award-winning month, the rookie averaged 10.8 points while shooting a staggering 55.3 percent from the field.
The Knicks seem destined to end their six-year playoff drought this season and can improve their roster with the cap space from Curry’s expiring contract after this season.
The years of the franchise’s embarrassing shortcomings dominating headlines may finally be over. New York has a relevant basketball team again.
– Jeffrey Tomik
