An optimistic post about this season going into the next.

[Knicksfan20]

First things first we have to be happy with where we finishes the reg season. We exceeded all expectations and had some real bright spots. Although disappointing that we didn't make the ECF we gotta see this as a learning experience and hope we can turn it around next season.

Mike Woodson - I think he did a pretty solid job this season. He made some questionable moves but every coach does. He's a smart basketball man. I expect him to watch a lot of tape in the off season and have his team better prepared. Remember this is his first full season as HC and I think its fair to say he had a pretty good first year. Lets give him some props for working with a depleted roster full of injuries all season.

Carmelo Anthony - Had probably his best season as a pro. Took huge strides imp in becoming a more complete player. He gets a bad rep for not passing which is ridiculous. He may not rack up a ton of assists, but he finds the open man which usually leads to a rotation, which leads to a pass for an open three. He racks up a ton of hockey assists which dont show up in he box score. He single handly lead this team to the 2nd sees with no much help. Hopefully we can remain healthy so he doesn't have to carry the whole load again.

Amare Stoudemire - Dissapointing season for STAT but showed glimpses of being great in the short time he was healthy. He is the key to this team if we want to win a chip. Injuries have really hurt him and this team and there isn't a harder worker in the league then STAT. Just gotta hope these two surgeries this season will help him long term and gotta hope he will be ok next season. I still believe in STAT if he can stay off the IR.

Tyson Chandler - Solid season, horrible playoffs. Have no idea why he didn't show up but he looked like a second round rookie in the playoffs. He needs to stop worrying about his dunks and scoring and do what he is paid to do. Play defense and play with energy. Saw too much complaining and moping around from him. Its hard to ask him to protect the rim when we play small cuz he can't leave his man... But we needed more from him. And his awareness on the defensive boards are horrendous. He's still a big part of this team, he needs to man up.

JR Smith - people are foolish to want him gone. Yea he is irratic and yes he played poor in the playoffs, but he is still a very good player and took some big steps as far as being more mature goes. Gotta hope a year older a year wiser is the case with him. He still has a ways to go, but he has matured a lot and I expect him to come back stronger next season.

Raymond Felton - he was very good all year. He got a lot of hate in the middle of the season, but he was playing with that injured finger. When healthy he was a huge reason for our success. He's gotta get more minutes with Amare. Which is why I think Amare must start next year and be the first option on offense. We can't go right into ISO mode, we gotta look for easy baskets at the rim and let Raymond dictate the offense. This will make Melos life much easier.

Iman Shumpert - pity the fools who wanted to trade him at the deadline. Iman is a stud in making and I expect him to take a huge leap next season in terms of production. Improved his J tremendously, and once he got closer to 100% he was finishing at the rim easier. Has to work on his PG skills even though he won't play alot of mins there. He needs to make use of his athletic ability and drive more. I expect big things from Iman for years to come.

Kenyon Martin - Hooefully we can get him back on the cheap again. He brought a toughness to this team which it was lacking since Sheed went down. Big reason to our win streak and our success. Has good chemistry with a lit of the knicks players.

Steve Novak - he is what he is, but Copeland makes him expendable. Still think we should loon to trade him. I would love Artest here and if Dantoni remains in LA... A Copeland/Novak trade could get it done.

Chris Copeland - Surorised everyone with his ability to score/shoot in the NBA. Hopefully we can resign him because I think he would be a great 1-2 punch off the bench with JR. He needs to get a lil stronger and continue to worn on his D, but he was solid whenever he got a chance to play.

Prigioni - Played great for us and would love him back... But it doesn't seem like he will be. He just needs to continue being aggressive and loon for his shot more.

Jason Kidd - He is done, needs to retire. He was great in stints, but didn't show up when it counted. He's done in the NBA. I expect Baron Davis to take his spot next season.

In conclusion I expect this team to come back strong next season. Camby/Kidd//Q are more then likely done (I know Camby and Kidd are under contract still) And we shouldn't have an issue replacing them with veterans for the minimum next year. We also added 3 players to the roster this year from oversees and two worked out great, that will also be an option we have moving forward. We have a solid core of players and a good Head Coach. It takes time for players to develop chemistry and become a championship contending team and I think we made some big steps in that direction this year. So I remain optimistic. Especially if Amare can play 25 mpg next year with out being injured. His back is healed, his knees got worked on.. Just gotta hope with those surgeries out if the way that he can now rest and fully recover.

We need to draft a PG or a project center this year. Maybe we can get Jerome Jordan back as that developmental big man and draft a guard. As states I expect Baron to replace Kidd next year which is an instant upgrade if he is 100%. He will have now nearly 2 years of rehabbing his back and acl. Camby would be great to have again next year too if he doesn't ask for a trade or retire.

[Knicksfan20]

Ib4 the knuckleheads who want to comment on a few mispells. I was typing on my phone.

[Thugger HBC]

I know what you're doing but even the players know this season was a failure.

Great regular season, poor playoff run.

[AllanHoustonFan]

I admire the optimism, but I feel this was our best opportunity to win a ring with all the injuries in the east. Unless STAT returns his grace, we will continue to be knocked out the 2nd round because Melo needs another reliable and efficient scorer.

[Knicksfan20]

I know what you're doing but even the players know this season was a failure.

Great regular season, poor playoff run.

Rome wasn't built in a day. We got over the first round hump now its time to get to the ECF. We didn't have a healthy roster for the playoffs. If Amare was 100% and JR shot close to 40%... We beat the pacers. Even without amare we could have done it if JR shot better and if Kidd got benched for Cope sooner. Maybe if Hibbert was called for a few more blatent fouls as well.

I dont think we failed, I think we underachieved a bit... But not a failure. This team will learn from it and bounce back.

I admire the optimism, but I feel this was our best opportunity to win a ring with all the injuries in the east. Unless STAT returns his grace, we will continue to be knocked out the 2nd round because Melo needs another reliable and efficient scorer.

I agree we need STAT to be healthy. He is the key to our success. If he's healthy we have 4 scorers on the team along with Cope and JR. Can include Raymond and maybe Iman as well.

just gotta hope STAT can avoid any more surgeries.