2014-15 NBA Season Preview: New York Knicks

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New York Knicks

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2013-14

The last time we saw Andrea Bargnani doubles as the lasting image of the Knicks' season.

Bargnani grabbed a pass at the top of the arc, pump-faked - of course - and tried to dunk over two defenders. He tore a ligament in his elbow on the inevitable crash landing, a series of events so tragically comical that it was set to music. 

The season in New York was personified by many instant-classic Bargnani moments. Whether it was that failed dunk, his directionless defense, or his decision to shoot a three with a two-point lead and a dead shot clock in overtime, the 39 starts he made represent the disaster of a roster that surrounded Carmelo Anthony. 

Anthony ground his way through another excellent season, posting 27.4 points per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three, despite often being the only player worth defending. When injuries gutted the Knicks frontcourt, he was moved to power forward and responded with career highs in minutes (38.7), rebounds (8.1), and blocks (0.7).

Despite the occasional presence of Bargnani, missed games from Tyson Chandler and Amar'e Stoudemire, and the Chris and J.R. Smith experience, there the Knicks were at the end of the season; one win out of a playoff spot. 

Yes, the Eastern Conference was as bad as you remember. 

Offseason Roundup

When Phil Jackson was introduced as president of the Knicks, he didn't hide the fact that bringing back Anthony was priority No. 1. You don't win 11 rings without making sure you've got a star to build around.

Jackson locked up Anthony for $124 million over five years, then set his attention to the rest of the roster. A June trade saw Chandler and guard Raymond Felton traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin, Samuel Dalembert, Wayne Ellington, and two second-round draft picks. Ellington was then flipped to the Kings in an August deal that landed forwards Quincy Acy and Travis Outlaw. 

In a few swift moves, Jackson turned a pair of headaches into a guard who protects the ball and some warm frontcourt bodies. 

Additions

PG Jose Calderon (trade)
PG Shane Larkin (trade)
C Samuel Dalembert (trade)
*C Cole Aldrich (1/980K)
*Carmelo Anthony (5/$124M)
PF Quincy Acy (trade)
SF Travis Outlaw (trade)

*Re-signed

Departures

C Tyson Chandler (trade)
PG Raymond Felton (trade)
SF Lamar Odom (waived)
SG Shannon Brown (released)
PF Jeremy Tyler (trade)

2014 Draft

SF Cleanthony Early (2nd round, 34th overall)
SF Thanasis Antetokounmpo (2nd round, 51st overall)

The Knicks used the two picks from the Mavericks trade to place bets on upside, snagging Wichita State standout Cleanthony Early, and Greek forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo. 

Early fits the mold of a bench wing that will help ease the load on Anthony and keep the second unit from relying solely on J.R. Smith to do all the scoring. He's the modern prototype, as described on draft night by theScore's Blake Murphy. 

At 23, Early is one of the most ready-to-contribute wings in the draft, so the Knicks can expect him to have an impact right away. He'll do so by playing a physical game based on size - he's big for a small forward - and athleticism, making him a tough check for many wings. What's more, Early complements the hustle aspects of his game with a smooth touch and an effective inside game, though he struggles some going outside-in.

Antetokounmpo is a feel-good pick with intriguing comparables. His brother Giannis was one of the rare bright spots for the Milkwaukee Bucks last season, compiling a highlight reel full of must-see athletic displays. Thanasis turned down a deal in Europe to play in the D-League, so there's a decent chance we'll see him in the NBA at some point this season. Expect him to have at least one Madison Square Garden moment off the bench. 

Starting 5

• PG Jose Calderon
• SG Iman Shumpert
• SF Carmelo Anthony
• PF Amar'e Stoudemire
• C Samuel Dalembert

Breakout player: Tim Hardaway Jr. 

Not every Knicks player spent the season sulking on the bench looking to the sky for help. With J.R. Smith struggling and some shots up for grabs, Tim Hardaway Jr. came to play. 

Hardaway got his feet wet in his first 40 games, scoring 8.2 points in just under 19 minutes per game. As he began to prove he belonged, he earned the trust of the coaching staff enough to bump his playing time to nearly 28 minutes per game over the second half of the season. 

There is still plenty of work to be done for Hardaway Jr. The increase in touches did result in more points, but it also lowered his shooting percentages across the board. 

Hardaway has proven he can hang at this level, and with the improvements made to the second unit, it's time for him to prove he can fit into the new Knicks system and pick his spots efficiently. 

Season Expectations

Where Phil Jackson goes, championship expectations will follow. 

The Knicks know they are not in the title conversation at the moment, but the arrival of Jackson combined with the return of Anthony has hopes high enough that a division title will be in the realm of expectation. 

The stability of Calderon, combined with the influx of frontcourt insurance bodies make this a considerably more rounded-out Knicks roster. Stoudemire and Dalembert will inevitably miss some time, and Bargnani will continue to Bargnani, but the Knicks definitely expect to be playing playoff basketball again when the dust settles. 

1 to Follow on Social Media

J.R. Smith. It's obviously J.R. Smith. 

It isn't quite the thrill ride it was a few years ago, but any man who lists his location as "In My Own Head!" is one you want to be keeping tabs on. Smith claims to have matured, but you'll want to be there in case he posts about The Pipe.