A team-by-team preview of all 30 NBA teams heading into the 2008 – 2009 season, Hooped Up style. Â
New York Knicks
The Zeke era is over but there is still a lot of cleaning up to do for the overpriced Knickerbockers.  Things can only get better right?  Well given the record of new head coach Mike D’Antoni, the Knicks should be better but he’s got to work with the pieces of talent that Zeke left behind and it won’t be easy.  Some would say D’Antoni was crazy to take the job in the first place, cold weather and lots of losing…OH YA! Sign me up!!! But, will the addtion of Chris Duhon bring sanity to the point guard position, will Eddy Curry eat himself out of a job, can Jamal Crawford be “Barbosa East” and can Starbury have the comeback season he’s capable of?
This season can go a variety of ways but knowing the circus that is the Knicks, it will definitely be an interesting one.
Projected Starters: PG – Chris Duhon / SG – Jamal Crawford / SF - Quentin Richardson  / PF – David Lee / C –  Zach Randolph
Additions: Chris Duhon, Anthony Roberson, Allan Houston, Danilo Gallinari, Patrick Ewing Jr.
Losses:Â Renaldo Balkman, Randolph Morris, Fred Jones, Frederic Weis , Taurean Green, Bobby JonesÂ
Projected Wins:Â 30+
Team Theme Song:Â Â Suicidal Tendencies -Â Institutionalized
D’Antoni will probably be told to seek therapy to deal with all the losing and personalities on this team. Â Leave him alone, he’ll figure it out himself just hand him a Pepsi.
Overall
Ultimately the Knicks have taken a step in the right direction and the framework for stability is there. David Lee should have a respectable season as a starter (finally), Jamal Crawford has the right offense for his game, Marbury will have a fair shake and Eddy Curry can only lose weight in such a fast paced offense. Â
Will the Knicks make the playoffs…probably not, but next year with some room under the cap they can take two more steps towards respectability in the east again.
