Last season, the New York Knicks won 17 games. They finished with the second-worst record in the National Basketball Association. The Minnesota Timberwolves are a Western Conference team and finished only a game worse, and considering the difference in strength between the two conferences, we can deduce the Knicks were easily the worst team in the sport.
In the offseason, team president Phil Jackson made some quiet signings, bringing in guard Arron Afflalo and center Robin Lopez to team with superstar wing Carmelo Anthony. Yet, most believe the Knicks are still going to be a rancid dumpster fire.
Marc Berman of the New York Post writes that USA Today pegs the Knicks for 20 wins while Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight.com sees 27 victories for the Big Apple’s team. Anthony does not agree, per the Post.
"“I think we will be better than people predict. If you’re predicting 27 wins, I laugh at that. We use that as kind of motivation. But it’s a good thing to be under the radar.”"
It’s hard to see New York taking the quantum leap. Yes, Lopez and Afflalo will help, and the additions of rookies Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant can’t hurt, but the depth is appalling and head coach Derek Fisher was brutal in his first season. Fisher looked utterly lost and without control of the team, and this offseason spent time with Matt Barnes’ family, leading to a fight. Awesome.
The main key is if Anthony decides to play more than the 40 games he showed up for in 2014-15. While Anthony was dealing with injuries, they were not severe enough to keep him out of the All-Star Game. With leadership like that, it is tough to see New York doing anything noteworthy in the coming months.