It's about time.
- Championship pedigree.
- Although the Knicks have been awful since Head Coach, Derek Fisher and President, Phil Jackson took over, the two have plenty of Championship Experience. Fisher won 5 Championships playing alongside Kobe Bryant under Coach Jackson, who is arguably the most successful coach in the NBA, having won a total of 11 Championships. 6 with Michael Jordan, and 5 with Kobe Bryant. If there's one thing all champions hate, it's missing the playoffs in consecutive years.
- Although the Knicks have been awful since Head Coach, Derek Fisher and President, Phil Jackson took over, the two have plenty of Championship Experience. Fisher won 5 Championships playing alongside Kobe Bryant under Coach Jackson, who is arguably the most successful coach in the NBA, having won a total of 11 Championships. 6 with Michael Jordan, and 5 with Kobe Bryant. If there's one thing all champions hate, it's missing the playoffs in consecutive years.
- We have an elite scorer in Carmelo Anthony.
- Anthony's tenure with the Knicks has not been as prosperous as initially expected. With Anthony, the Knicks, have failed to make the playoffs for the past two seasons. This is in part due to Anthony's injuries which have kept him off the court. Mostly, though, it has to do with the 14 other High School Varsity Players that rounded out the Knicks Roster during these two seasons. That said, I believe the average basketball fan has forgotten how lethal Carmelo Anthony can be as a scorer. Hopefully everyone will be surprised when they see him play later this year.
- Knicks have the best rookie in the NBA Draft.
- With their highest draft pick since taking franchise Center, Patrick Ewing in 1985, the Knicks selected Kristaps Porzingis in the 2015 NBA Draft with the fourth overall pick. Despite being so young and having not played an NBA game yet, Kristaps appears to possess all the tools needed for a long and successful NBA Career. This 7-1 Power-Forward from Latvia has a wet jumpshot and is extraordinary lanky. He has been compared to Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzski, Pau Gasol, and the bad guy from Rocky IV.
- With their highest draft pick since taking franchise Center, Patrick Ewing in 1985, the Knicks selected Kristaps Porzingis in the 2015 NBA Draft with the fourth overall pick. Despite being so young and having not played an NBA game yet, Kristaps appears to possess all the tools needed for a long and successful NBA Career. This 7-1 Power-Forward from Latvia has a wet jumpshot and is extraordinary lanky. He has been compared to Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzski, Pau Gasol, and the bad guy from Rocky IV.
- Solid free agency acquisitions.
- In the past, the Knicks have looked to target the high-profile, star players in free agency. We've tried to get guys like Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant, and often times, we were disappointed. This offseason, we did not go for the big fish, but rather several medium-sized fish. Instead of signing a Dwayne Wade, we were able to sign several solid players in Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Kyle O'Quinn, Derrick Williams, and Kevin Seraphin. Most of these guys are coming from winning teams, and because they all have something to prove in the league, this attitude should bode well for the Knicks in the coming season.
- In the past, the Knicks have looked to target the high-profile, star players in free agency. We've tried to get guys like Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant, and often times, we were disappointed. This offseason, we did not go for the big fish, but rather several medium-sized fish. Instead of signing a Dwayne Wade, we were able to sign several solid players in Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo, Kyle O'Quinn, Derrick Williams, and Kevin Seraphin. Most of these guys are coming from winning teams, and because they all have something to prove in the league, this attitude should bode well for the Knicks in the coming season.
- Better talent development.
- Before Phil Jackson took over Basketball Operations for the Knicks, New York was known for trading younger players in favor of older, more established players. Many New York Draft Picks like Jamal Crawford and David Lee would go on to have successful careers with other teams while the Knicks would often overpay aging veterans like Amar'e Stoudemire and Tracy McGrady. Since Jackson took over, the Knicks have been more patient with young players and it has finally begun to pay off with guys like Langston Galloway and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
