Overall hopes/expectations for this season

MintberryCrunch · Post #21 » by **MintberryCrunch** » Sun Sep 7, 2014 11:20 pm

I'm cautiously optimistic for next season and expect this team to compete for the 3-5 seeds. I know it might seem a bit too ambitious, but I think they can really compete next year for a few reasons:

Injury-free: I'm trying to remember since the first season of the Stat-Melo era if we ever had our entire roster injury-free going into the upcoming season. I don't believe so. All our core guys are actually healthy (knock on wood,) and not coming off any type of major surgeries. Specifically i'm referring to Stat, Melo, Smith, Shumpert.

Competent PG play: This can't be stressed enough. We got rid of arguably the worst starting PG in the league and brought in a high Basketball IQ guy in Calderon who aside from shoddy defense is a picture perfect fit for a triangle offense. He likes running halfcourt sets, he's an excellent passer with good court vision, low turnover rate and terrific shooter from both the perimeter and the FT line. He's the best PG this team has had by a WIDE margin since bringing Stat and Melo to NY.

Last year was obviously a very rough year but if it wasn't for Atlanta's hot stretch at the end of the regular season, this dysfunctional team could've sneaked into the playoffs. I think this year we have a very good combination of young players and established vets, and we've made major upgrades at the PG position which was by far this teams Achilles heel last year.

I don't believe Indy, BK or ATL will be competitive this season. We should be fighting teams like Washington and Charlotte for HCA in the 1st round of the playoffs.

PornDoc · Post #22 » by **PornDoc** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 4:54 am

I'm setting the bar high. I just hope that we're not a fcking embarrassment.

jakeKCMO816 · Post #23 » by **jakeKCMO816** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 5:04 am

Americafkya wrote:So I thought we could have a thread for this. Not sure if it has been done already.

What are you hoping for this season?

What are you realistically expecting?

In terms of everything. That is player acquisitions , trades, starting lineups, player development, wins, playoffs, etc.

For me I am hoping that we move Jr Smith and/or make a trade to upgrade our big man rotation. If someone wants Amare's expiring + Shumpert for a legit big man then I am all ears. I don't want to screw our cap situation up, but we can't just toss this season aside.

I don't mind running with a lineup of Calderon/Smith/Melo/Amare/Dalembert(or whoever we pick up for the vet min) as our starting lineup and having THJ,Shump,Bargs make up our bench brigade. We clearly need an upgrade for the bench though as I have given up on Bargs ever being much more than a not terrible NBA player.

I want THJ to take that next step. Maybe give us 13/3/3 and shoot 38% from behind the arc.

The East won't be as terrible as it was at the beginning as last year, so I don't expect the Knicks to achieve much. Overall I expect 43 wins as our best case scenario. In reality....41-41 and a first round playoff exit.

I'm a Cavs fan but I genuinely want you guys to be good. I wanna see New York be relevant in basketball. It's better for the league. Hope you guys can get a dude like Marc Gasol next year... Or rondo and Monroe or something man. Melo deserves to play with more talent. Good luck Knicks fans

Sincerely, a Cavs fan who wants you guys to be great but slightly worse than the cavs

Houston99 · Post #24 » by **Houston99** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 5:17 am

Honestly I know I have said the before and got my heard broken many times as well. But I really you guys are understating the knicks. The east is open besides the cavs I really dont see any other team that can is actually really good. Bulls are always a question with rose who hasn't played many games in the past few years. Pacers who lost pual George. If this team follows the triangle to the tee and listens to phil Jackson to get this ball moving we are going be 2 or 3 rd in the east

Fat · Post #25 » by **Fat** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 6:19 am

82-0 record
carmelo- MVP
Jr smith- 6th man of the year award
Shumpert- DPOY
Cleanthony Early- rookie of the year
Shane Larkin- Most improved player award
Hardaway Jr - 3 point contest champion
Amare- Slam dunk contest champion
Bargnani- All-Star game MVP
Fisher- Coach of the year
Championship

Zooropa · Post #26 » by **Zooropa** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 6:20 am

I've made this prediction in many different places by now––think I'll have to make it my signature before the season starts:

44-49 wins, and we take the Atlantic from the Craptors who in my opinion are set up for a regression after overachieving last year... sound familiar, Knicks fans?

First or second round exit––we won't be title contenders but my hope is that we seriously reestablish credibility so Marc Gasol is the one calling Phil next summer. My pipe dream is LMA but he's all but re-signed with Portland.

Jalen Bluntson · Post #27 » by **Jalen Bluntson** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 6:38 am

Nyk_Fatboy wrote:82-0 record
carmelo- MVP
Jr smith- 6th man of the year award
Shumpert- DPOY
Cleanthony Early- rookie of the year
Shane Larkin- Most improved player award
Hardaway Jr - 3 point contest champion
Amare- Slam dunk contest champion
Bargnani- All-Star game MVP
Fisher- Coach of the year
Championship

Really dude? Seriously? Amar'e Slam Dunk champ? That's insane.

Fat · Post #28 » by **Fat** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 6:49 am

Are We Ther Yet wrote:
Nyk_Fatboy wrote:82-0 record
carmelo- MVP
Jr smith- 6th man of the year award
Shumpert- DPOY
Cleanthony Early- rookie of the year
Shane Larkin- Most improved player award
Hardaway Jr - 3 point contest champion
Amare- Slam dunk contest champion
Bargnani- All-Star game MVP
Fisher- Coach of the year
Championship

Really dude? Seriously? Amar'e Slam Dunk champ? That's insane.

OP did say post what you hope for, im not even going to bother with realistic expectations.. last year my expectations came nowhere close to what i expected to happen for the knicks and some nights i found myself uncontrollably dipping my spoon into a fat container of cookie dough ice cream just eating away wanting to shed a few tears due to how bad we were.

Jalen Bluntson · Post #29 » by **Jalen Bluntson** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 7:12 am

Nyk_Fatboy wrote:
Are We Ther Yet wrote:
Nyk_Fatboy wrote:82-0 record
carmelo- MVP
Jr smith- 6th man of the year award
Shumpert- DPOY
Cleanthony Early- rookie of the year
Shane Larkin- Most improved player award
Hardaway Jr - 3 point contest champion
Amare- Slam dunk contest champion
Bargnani- All-Star game MVP
Fisher- Coach of the year
Championship

Really dude? Seriously? Amar'e Slam Dunk champ? That's insane.

OP did say post what you hope for, im not even going to bother with realistic expectations.. last year my expectations came nowhere close to what i expected to happen for the knicks and some nights i found myself uncontrollably dipping my spoon into a fat container of cookie dough ice cream just eating away wanting to shed a few tears due to how bad we were.

My humor fell short I suppose.

alwaysaknick · Post #30 » by **alwaysaknick** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 8:44 am

I do not aim high, seed 8, 1st rd exist.

Sent from my LT26w using RealGM Forums mobile app

the_antz_nest · Post #31 » by **the_antz_nest** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 3:38 pm

4th-6th seed. I don't see us as bad as everyone else thinks. I expect a smooth transition with the offense

E.g Fish/Phil to get Jr, bargs, amare anyone else that would have problems with the system in line.

Back to making Winning plays - loose balls,no boneheaded 3pt attempts at the end of games your winning and at least some effort on rotations and defense..

Post #32 » by **moocow007** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 5:59 pm

I'm really excited to see the widely reported "slimmed down" versions of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Seriously, both guys are said to be looking unbelievably good. It would be a huge boon for this team if Stoudemire can have a terrific season. If he really is slimmed down and toned already (and reports are saying that it's clearly noticeable how light on his feet Stoudemire looks) then it could be one of the biggest x-factors this season. Stoudemire is now 3 years removed from the last surgery and he's still only 31 years old. It's a contract year and I'm sure he's going to make sure that he has every opportunity to show everyone what he's about.

Red Vines · Post #33 » by **Red Vines** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 9:08 pm

Just bring respectability back to this franchise, set high standards and hold each other accountable. Play the game the right way and I'll live with whatever is the result.

Post #34 » by **j4remi** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 9:22 pm

My hope is that we get to the ECF, but my expectation is a playoff berth with a good shot at the second round.

As for individual expectations, I only expect these guys to really go for it with this system and that Tim Hardaway shows some defensive improvement.

Bill Pidto · Post #35 » by **Bill Pidto** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 9:43 pm

NoLayupRule wrote:no team has ever won anything significant without being very good defensively and very good at moving the ball

its simplistic but its consistently true

those are what Fish needs to get this team doing

Yep.. those are my simple wishes and expectations from the team and from the coach. And if they do it, the team will make the playoffs.

If they do it well, they'll be pretty damn good, because this team has talent.

Bill Pidto · Post #36 » by **Bill Pidto** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 9:46 pm

moocow007 wrote:I'm really excited to see the widely reported "slimmed down" versions of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Seriously, both guys are said to be looking unbelievably good. It would be a huge boon for this team if Stoudemire can have a terrific season. If he really is slimmed down and toned already (and reports are saying that it's clearly noticeable how light on his feet Stoudemire looks) then it could be one of the biggest x-factors this season. Stoudemire is now 3 years removed from the last surgery and he's still only 31 years old. It's a contract year and I'm sure he's going to make sure that he has every opportunity to show everyone what he's about.

Hey.. can you point me in the direction of whereever you heard that about Stoudemire? Haven't seen or heard anything about that. Haven't heard any updates on Melo either since that instagram picture from a few weeks back.

Post #37 » by **moocow007** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 9:58 pm

Bill Pidto wrote:
moocow007 wrote:I'm really excited to see the widely reported "slimmed down" versions of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Seriously, both guys are said to be looking unbelievably good. It would be a huge boon for this team if Stoudemire can have a terrific season. If he really is slimmed down and toned already (and reports are saying that it's clearly noticeable how light on his feet Stoudemire looks) then it could be one of the biggest x-factors this season. Stoudemire is now 3 years removed from the last surgery and he's still only 31 years old. It's a contract year and I'm sure he's going to make sure that he has every opportunity to show everyone what he's about.

Hey.. can you point me in the direction of whereever you heard that about Stoudemire? Haven't seen or heard anything about that. Haven't heard any updates on Melo either since that instagram picture from a few weeks back.

There was a tweet from Steve Kyler at Basketball Insiders who saw Stoudemire at IMG Academy and said that Stoudemire looks really good and as trim as he's ever seen Stoudemire. Kyler was the founder of one of the first basketball blog sites. There's also been other tidbits that have said that Stoudemire looks better than he has in a long time.

Post #38 » by **Capn'O** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 10:19 pm

Re: the last few posts - I'd love to see Amar'e have a couple of swan song great seasons - though the next few after this year won't be with NYK. He's worked so hard to overcome so many injuries and other life obstacles.

Generally, I'd hope to see the guys that have a chance to remain with the team long term to gain experience as contributors to a playoff team. Work their butts off and find their roles in the triangle. I want the pieces that remain to look good to free agents in 2015. Obviously, that means a great season from Carmelo, but I'd hope that some of Early, Shump, Aldrich, Calderon, THjr, Acy, and Larkin show that they belong.

JR finally cutting the crap with his distractions would be gravy.

I expect a playoff team.

Post #39 » by **King of Canada** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 10:27 pm

Going into an offseason where we will have some cap room and are looking to make an impact, I think that it is very important that we have a succesful season. If we don't end up over .500 it reduces our chances of signing a winner/winners. I'm hoping that we have a strong season, make the playoffs, and who knows from there? I think that we should never want any less.

Marty McFly · Post #40 » by **Marty McFly** » Mon Sep 8, 2014 11:32 pm

i don't think there's anyway that this team is going to legitimately compete, so i want them to be bad enough to get high lottery pick. next off season is when this team will reload.