One of the best ways to deal with something unpleasant-yet-unavoidable: make it a learning experience. That’s how I’m treating the Knicks’ oft-ugly 2009-10 campaign.
Some of this season’s lessons are enough to make this Knick fan feel a little optimistic about what’s ahead.
Lesson 1: David Lee is an all-star. He’s not a center.
David Lee produced video-game numbers for most of this season, playing out-of-position on both offense and defense. With the ball, he emerged as the Knicks’ best passing big man since Anthony Mason, running the offense far more effectively than any New York guard. But on the defensive end, he struggled to deal with… well, with just about every opposing big man. We caught a glimpse of what Lee can be at his natural power forward spot late in the season, when Earl Barron’s arrival allowed Lee to shift to the four spot.
Lee isn’t signed for next season. If he’s back, it’ll mean Donnie Walsh wasn’t able to bring in two max players via free agency. But the idea of the new-and-improved David Lee, playing alongside a serviceable NBA center, is enough to soften the potential “we didn’t get LeBron and Wade” blow, just a little.
Lesson 2: Gallinari is a future star
Love the jump shot, which made Gallo the second-leading three-point shooter (in terms of threes made) this season. But I love Gallo’s late-season aggressiveness even more. After Jared Jeffries’ departure, Gallo stepped up on the defensive end – even started asking for the toughest assignments. With another year’s experience, he’ll be even better next season.
Lesson 3: Toney Douglas is a keeper
He probably won’t make Knick fans forget about “Jordan Hill over Brandon Jennings” any time soon. But once he cracked Mike D’Antoni’s rotation, showed he belongs. It isn’t hard to see him as a quality third guard next year… or a starter, if the Knicks are running the offense through a “point forward” like LBJ or D-Wade.
Lesson 4: So is Bill Walker
Bill Walker has been an absolute find since coming over from Boston in the Nate Robinson deal. And his contract is so small – the Knicks hold an option to bring him back for around $850,000 – they might actually be able to retain his services for next year. Walsh will be looking to fill roster spots on the cheap next summer – getting a productive player like Walker in one of those slots would be a big help.
Lesson 5: The draft situation might not be as dire as we thought.
Watching the Jazz take part in the lottery – using the pick Isiah Thomas dealt in the Stephon Marbury trade – will hurt. But look on the bright side: no first-round pick means no cap hold, which means more money to throw at free agents. And the Knicks do have two picks near the top of the second round in what is shaping up to be an exceptionally deep draft.
Last year’s draft was supposed to be very shallow – but quality contributors like Portland’s Dante Cunningham, San Antonio’s DeJuan Blair, Sacramento’s Jon Brockman, Detroit’s Jonas Jerebko and New Orleans’ Marcus Thornton all went in round two. The Knicks could fill a couple of empty spots on next year’s roster with players like Florida State center Solomon Alabi, Iowa State forward Craig Brackins, Maryland’s do-everything guard Greivis Vasquez, Xavier scorer Jordan Crawford or Coney Island’s own Lance Stephenson without moving up in the draft.
If that’s not enough for you to get you through May and June… eh, at least the Yankees are looking pretty good.
