After a disappointing conclusion to the season for the Knicks, it is time for the players to hit the offseason and make improvements. In some cases, this means taking a look in the mirror, and individually finding ways to improve their game. GM Glen Grunwald has made it clear that next season’s team will consist of many of the same cast of characters as lasts. With that said, each player on this team has room for improvement, and will need to address some issues in the offseason.

(Depending on each player’s return)

Carmelo Anthony - After winning a gold medal with team USA this past summer, Melo came into the season with a sense of urgency. Although Melo fell short of his ultimate goal of an NBA championship, he made strides both as a player and a leader. A major key for Anthony this year was the fact he came into the season in great shape. In the offseason, Melo must first heal his injured left shoulder and rehab accordingly. While rehabbing his shoulder, Carmelo must not become complacent. He will need to enter next season in just as good, or better, shape than he did this season. He must also carry over the determination he portrayed this year, into next season. I’d expect Carmelo to come into next season with a chip on his shoulder, especially after the way this season concluded. If harnessed correctly, this could be a huge advantage for the Knicks.

Raymond Felton - The biggest thing Raymond must improve on going into next season is his consistency. Throughout the season we saw games where Felton could flat out dominate opposing point guards On the other hand, we saw games where Ray just did not show up, and was a complete non-factor. When Felton is penetrating, and either attacking the basket or kicking the ball out to the perimeter, he adds a very vital weapon to the Knicks offense. Being a point guard, his job description entitles making everyone else on the team better. When Felton is getting into the paint on a consistent basis, he allows the offense to operate more smoothly. I’d like to see Felton become more of a facilitator next season and be a leader on the offensive end. Much like Melo, Felton must also come into camp in the best shape of his life.

Tyson Chandler – It is sort of mind blowing that Chandler has been in the league since 2001, and has yet to add anything to his offensive post game. It makes you wonder what exactly he works on in the offseason. The Knicks have a glaring hole when it comes to inside scoring. During the Pacer series, Chandler openly complained about the fluidity of the Knicks offense. Well Tyson, maybe it is time for you to add to your offensive game, and help contribute on the offensive end. I’d like to see Tyson link up with Amar’e Stoudemire in the offseason and work with Hakeem Olajuwon. Maybe Hakeem can work with Chandler on developing a baby hook or even some kind of drop step move in the post. Tyson must also work a short elbow jump shot into his game. He doesn’t need to make it every time, just enough that the defense will have to respect it. This may pull opposing team’s centers out a little further and open up driving lanes for Carmelo and others.

Iman Shumpert – Shump is maybe the only two way player, on a team full of specialists. Shumpert has already shown his ability on the defensive end, and that the sky is the limit on the offensive end.  In the offseason, Shump must continue to regain his explosiveness. Since returning from his ACL injury, it was obvious Shump wasn’t 100% confident finishing at the basket and attacking on the break. This is natural after coming off such a serious knee injury. I’d expect Iman to become even more aggressive on the offensive end, and hopefully emerge as a second option for Melo. Shump has also shown signs of becoming a leader in the locker room. Shump must continue this progression going into next season. As stated earlier, the sky is the limit for Shumpert. With a future as bright as his, it is up to him to make the necessary improvements to fulfill his potential.

Chris Copeland – Cope emerged as one of the bright spots for the Knicks this season. His feel good story of being a 28 year old rookie captivated NY. His lack of playing time was a major topic in the Pacer series.  Assuming Cope is a Knick next season (no assumptions though) he must improve on the defensive end. Cope is a little slow laterally, which gives him issues guarding a quicker player. When guarding a bigger player, Cope is slightly undersized. The way to make up for these issues is to become a student of the defensive schemes. In the areas you are at a disadvantage physically, you must make up for mentally. On the offensive end Cope must continue doing what he does best, stretching the floor. If given the needed playing time, I could see Cope being a consistent 12-15 point scorer. We will see what kind of offer Cope’s play this season will garner in free agency, and if the Knicks will be able to match it.

J.R. Smith - J.R. had a tremendous regular season in which he was completely deserving of the NBA Sixth Man award. Smith had his best season as a pro, averaging 18 points a game, and at times carried the Knicks offense. He also seemed to be turning over a new leaf and becoming a more mature player. Unfortunately, J.R. reverted back to his old self in the playoffs. Hopefully, J.R.’s postseason struggles will be a reality check for him, and keep him out of the nightclubs and in the gym. Going into next season, composure will be a major component to the success of J.R. Smith. As a Knicks fan, I think I speak for all of us when I say J.R.’s antics are getting a little old. I don’t want to hear about you getting the flu after being spotted in the club, I don’t want to see you looking up at the sky when a basket finally falls, and I definitely do not want to see you getting out hustled on the court. These are all unacceptable.

Jason Kidd – Kidd’s two best friends this offseason should be rest and Bob Thate. Rest will be important because at the age of 40, Kidd will need to find a way to be in shape for a playoff series. This may mean sitting out a few games in the regular season (which is Woodson’s job to manage). Kidd brings a veteran leadership to the team that is not replaceable, but his performance in the playoffs was horrendous. For Kidd to be effective as a facilitator, he must be able to knock down an open jump shot. If he is struggling from the perimeter, his offensive skills are negated. This is where Bob Thate comes into play. Thate, who was the LA Clippers shooting coach last season, was seen working with Kidd on his shot. Going back to their days in New Jersey, Thate has played a major role in fixing the flaws in Kidd’s jumper. Thate could help Kidd find consistency in his jump shot, along with some rest, will be important to Kidd’s ability to play out an entire season and playoffs.

Marcus Camby – Camby was supposed to be a major contributor to the Knicks bench this season. Instead, Camby was plagued by the injury bug for most of the year. I’d attribute some of this to being an older big man with a lot of miles over the years, as well as being out of shape. In the offseason, Marcus must drop some weight and find ways to stay healthy. If Marcus is committed to doing this, he could be a valuable asset for the Knicks off the bench. He will sure up some rebounding problems and help on the defensive end. Again, this is a major if. Along with that, It is up to Mike Woodson so call down the bench and use the “big” that GM Glen Grunwald signed. This one is partly to blame on Woody!

Steve Novak – Novak, who was given a 4-year $16 million deal before this past season, will need to do a variety of things to live up to his contract. Offensively, Novak must work on moving without the ball and getting himself into better spots (see Kyle Korver) for catch and shoot opportunities. Sitting in either corner and waiting for the ball to be swung around just isn’t going to get it done. Steve will also need to improve on making shots off one or two dribbles. Novak possesses a great pump fake, in which he often gets the defender in the air. If he can take a few dribbles to get past the defender after the fake, he will become a much more serviceable offensive player. On the defensive end, he cannot play soft and scared. Novak often looks like a deer in headlights on the defensive end, making him a complete liability. If Novak continues to struggle on both sides of the ball, you may only be seeing the “discount double check” in garbage minutes.

Amar’e Stoudemire – At this point in Stoudemire’s career it is clear he is just a shell of himself. I think this is something most fans have just accepted. This does not mean Amar’e cannot be a contributor to this Knicks basketball team. If healthy, STAT could add some low post offense that the Knicks desperately are lacking. It will be crucial for Amar’e to accept his place as a role player. STAT will need to come to terms with the fact that at this point in his career he is best suited as a bench player. If Amar’e buys in, which I assume he will, who knows what he can bring. He must also help on the boards and be a force on the defensive end, which are major red flags in his game.

Pablo Prigioni and Kenyon Martin became two important X-factors for the Knicks team. Prig gave the Knicks a savvy player on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, while K-Mart brought energy and physicality off the bench. If both players return they will need to do much of the same going forward. Prig will need to be more aggressive on the offensive end, and if given the open jump shot, not hesitate to let it fly. He must continue to be a pest on defense, and cause havoc for opposing guards.

K-Mart must work on staying out a foul trouble. When it is said and done, if you are on the bench in foul trouble, you will not be much of a factor in the game. Kenyon must also stay on course when it comes to changing his image. Both of these players could be important pieces to the Knicks puzzle.

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If drafted by NY, Jeff could learn the position from Tyson and Marcus, two aging vets that have years of NBA experience. Will Jeff see the court? Mike Woodson is an old school coach that very rarely plays rookies, but if Jeff shows he can contribute defensively, an area the Knicks lacked this past year, Woody will have no choice but to use him. I think 10-15 minutes a game would be a huge step forward for the 7 footer. New York has the need for youth and size. Jeff Withey brings them both.

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Now that the 2012-2013 New York Knick season is over and done, it is time to start looking ahead to next season and what the Knicks officials can do to improve the team so that they can take the next step in their journey to capture an NBA title.  Aside from the countless free agency rumors that will appear over the summer, the Knicks’ front office is working tirelessly to decide how they will use their 24^th overall selection on June 27^th in this year’s NBA draft.

Gorgui Dieng:

One of the biggest needs the Knicks have is a young and athletic big man to help Tyson Chandler lock down the paint, especially if some of the older big men are down with injuries.  One prospect that may fall to number 24 is Gorgui Dieng of the reigning NCAA men’s basketball champion Louisville Cardinals.  Last season, Dieng averaged 9.8 PPG and 9.4 RPG while earning the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award.  Regardless of whether or not back up big man Kenyon Martin returns, the Pacers series proved that the Knicks need youth, size and athleticism out of their “bigs” if they wish to compete for a title.  The 6’11 245 lbs. native of Senegal with a 7’6 wingspan can help with that.

Allen Crabbe:

Another route the Knicks can take is to draft a shooting guard who can flat out score.  If J.R. Smith or Chris Copeland were to leave in free agency, the Knicks would definitely have a need for a scorer.  The Knicks would then have to hope that 6’6 205 pound University of California Golden Bear Allen Crabbe is still on the board.  Crabbe averaged 18.4 PPG to go along with 6.1 RPG in his junior season at California.  Crabbe may be one of the steals of the draft if he were to fall to the Knicks.  His stock took a fall last year when he and his teammates were stifled by the Syracuse Orangemen’s defense.  Previously a 40% shooter from 3-point range, Crabbe’s average fell to 35% last year.  If Crabbe can get his 3 point FG% back up around 40% to go along with his 46% FG% and 81% free throw shooting, the Knicks may come away with an elite NBA scorer.

The draft cannot come any sooner as the recently ended Knicks season has proven that they are in serious need of youth and athleticism when all of their old bodies are going down.  The Knicks have used their draft picks well in recent years (2011 draft brought Iman Shumpert and 2012 pick Kostas Papanikolaou was a part of a sign-and-trade that brought Raymond Felton and Kurt Thomas back to New York).  Let’s hope Glen Grunwald and his team find gold in this year’s draft class by selecting a player who can contribute immediately and efficiently.

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With the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat starting their Eastern Conference Finals series tonight, it is finally set in that the Knicks have been eliminated from the playoffs.  It was a rough series against the Pacers as they struggled on both sides of the court for most of the six games and were eliminated by a team that looked like they wanted it more.  Here are some things as to why the Knicks fell to the Pacers in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

-Rebounding

The most glaring difference in the series between the Knicks and Pacers was the rebounding numbers.  The Pacers dominated the boards throughout the series, only being outrebounded in Game 2, a Knicks blowout victory.  The Knicks small-ball lineup with Carmelo Anthony starting at the power forward was no match for the Pacers huge frontcourt of Roy Hibbert and David West; even when the Knicks went big they were still unable to contend with the Pacers front court.  To put into perspective how badly the Knicks were outrebounded in the series, here are some numbers to take a look at:

272 total rebounds for the Pacers, at 45.3 per game. Rebound Each Game: 44, 35, 53, 54, 43, 43

220 total rebounds for the Knicks, at 36.7 per game. Rebounds Each Game: 30, 37, 41, 36, 40, 36

When the Knicks were able to keep the rebounding numbers close, they were successful.  The two games the rebounding numbers were closest were the two games that the Knicks won.  The Knicks played defense well, but were not finishing the defensive possessions as the Pacers best offense was to grab an offensive rebound and kick it out for a three pointer or lay it back in as they dominated the offensive glass.

- Free-Throw Disparity (Poor Refereeing?)

A lot of talk throughout the series was that the Knicks were not getting as many calls and in turn less free throw attempts, as the Pacers because the Knicks were a jump shooting team.  This is true as the Knicks set the NBA record for three pointers made and attempted in a season, but was not the reason the Knicks did not take as many free throws.  In the series, the Pacers were just as much a jump shooting team as the Knicks.

In the series, the Pacers attempted 140 three-pointers, taking 23.3 per game.

In the series, the Knicks attempted 136 three-pointers, taking 22.67 per game.

That throws the notion right out the window that the Knicks were not getting calls because they are a jump shooting team as the Pacers actually attempted more three pointers than the Knicks did.  With that thinking the Knicks would have more free throw attempts than the Pacers, but those numbers are even more lopsided in favor of the Pacers.

In the series, the Pacers took 176 free throws, 29.3 per game, with a high of 46 and a low of 18. The Pacers took 30+ free throws the last three games of the series.

In the series the Knicks took 107 free throws, 17.83 per game, with a high of 25 and a low of 10. The Knicks took less than 20 free throws in four games.

The Pacers were called for 114 fouls, 19 per game, with a high of 23 and a low of 17.

The Knicks were called for 157 fouls, 26.17 per game, with a high of 34 and low of 24.

What really stands out is how the foul disparity grew as the series wore on, as the first three games the foul numbers were almost identical, as the Knicks were called for only two more fouls, but in the last three games of the series the Knicks were called for 41 more fouls.

Numbers as lopsided of that are tough to ignore.

-Tyson Chandler’s Struggle

Tyson Chandler struggled throughout the playoffs but was really exposed against the Pacers in round two as Roy Hibbert did whatever he pleased against what was an overmatched Chandler.  Chandler did miss 16 of the last 20 regular season games, causing him to be out of rhythm in the first round against the Celtics, but he looked lost at times throughout the series and a shell of the player who was named Defensive Player of the Year last season.  Chandler says he gave 100 percent and was pleased with how he played; scary with how badly he was outplayed by Hibbert.

Tyson Chandler: Minutes, Rebounds, Assists, Blocks, Fouls, Points

Roy Hibbert: Minutes, Rebounds, Assists, Blocks, Steals, Personal Fouls, Points

With Chandler playing as poorly as he did, it hurt the Knicks because they had to change their defensive schemes with his inability to guard Hibbert one-on-one. The double-teaming the Knicks were forced to do against Hibbert threw the rest of their defense out of whack as the constant scrambling left the Pacers open for numerous three point attempts, which they converted more times than not, and the Knicks out of position to rebound as well.

-Where was J.R?

Throughout the series Carmelo Anthony (torn labrum and all) was the only Knick that was able to constantly provide any type of offense and a big reason for that was J.R. Smith struggled mightily.  Smith was suspended for Game 4 of the series against the Boston Celtics for hitting Jason Terry with an elbow and was never the same after that, struggling the remainder of the Boston series and the whole series against the Pacers.

Smith could not hit water if he fell out of a boat against the Pacers, shooting 28.9 percent on the series, averaging 13.5 points per game.  His three point shooting was even worse, as he shot 23.1 percent from beyond the arc.  Without Smith the Knicks could not find a constant second scoring option and the offense was unable to get going at all throughout the series outside a couple of a few isolated stretches.

The Knicks will have a big decision to make this offseason with Smith most likely opting out of his contract to become a free agent.  The Knicks will have to decide if he is worth a contract extension, as he can get a bigger payday from other teams as the Knicks can only offer him 175 percent increase in his contract from this season.  His poor showing in the playoffs may cause some teams to shy away from signing him, but all it takes is one team to like what they see to offer him a big contract the Knicks cannot match.

-Mike Woodson’s Coaching

Mike Woodson put himself directly on the hot seat with his performance in the playoffs.  Woodson was as stubborn as ever against the Pacers and it really hurt the Knicks in the end.  He watched without making a move as Chandler was dominated by Hibbert throughout the series even though he had Marcus Camby sitting next to him on the bench.  Camby had not played much throughout the season because of numerous injuries but letting him just sit there while Chandler got worked was a poor decision.  It would not have hurt to see what Camby could give.

Woodson also showed too much trust in players like Smith and Jason Kidd.  Smith was lighting the world on fire with his shooting compared to Kidd, who did not score a single point in the whole series against the Pacers, going scoreless since April 25^th, a span of 10 games.  Those were the players who helped the Knicks win 54 games and the Atlantic Division during the regular season, but their poor play in the playoffs lasted long enough that a change should have been made.

Players such as Iman Shumpert and Chris Copeland showed they were capable of giving the Knicks good minutes and Woodson let them toil on the bench numerous times as the lineups he opted for were not working.  Another player who fell victim to Woodson’s mindless rotation decisions was Pablo Prigioni, who played only three minutes in Game 4 as Woodson panicked and went away from what the Knicks do best and played big.  Prigioni had started 20+ consecutive games and was benched in Game 4 as Woodson went big and watched the Knicks offense fall apart again as the Pacers still dominated the boards.

Woodson was unable to make the adjustments necessary to get the Knicks over the hump and was badly out-coached by Pacers head coach Frank Vogel.  Woodson’s track record of poor playoff performances continued and he has no one really to blame other than himself.

The post Knicks Basketball: A Series in Review appeared first on Knickswag - A New York Knicks Blog - News, Rumors, and more!.

Carmelo Anthony: Complete stud offensively, better on the D this year. Needs to share the ball more, but CAN’T DO THIS ALONE. He is the only option offensively on this team. A Superstar.

Amar’e Stoudemire: Shell of himself unfortunately. He has 2 years 45 million left on his deal, making the Knicks unable to move him. Whatever you get from STAT is a bonus, but his contact hinders your roster. A 15-20 minute player at best the rest of his career.

Tyson Chandler: Heart of the defense, but an offensive liability. A little overrated, as he was completely dismantled in the 2nd round. This will make the Knicks brass think about moving him to another team for some much needed talent back.

Raymond Felton: Ray dominated in the Celtics series, but came up BLANK in the Indy series. He is a NY kind of player, but could not control the pace or the flow of the offense in the playoffs enough for me to believe he is the answer for the Knicks to advance and beat the top teams. I still think he was an upgrade over Jeremy Lin, but this year showed me that a “floor general” is much more than just a tough PG. The general needs to control tempo and decides where the ball goes offensively at all times.

J.R. Smith: Will he be back or will he go? Not sure, Feeling is he will be back since he had a horrible post season and might have priced him out of a big payday. However do the Knicks want him back? I would guess they do because if they lose him they cannot replace him with a player in the same price range. My guess he will be back and continue to be the same erratic J.R. Head scratching in many ways, but needs to be the 3rd or 4th option in this offense, NOT THE 2ND!

Iman Shumpert: Shump still has work to do, but has the most promise on the team. He was one of the few players to show up in the post season. He is a lock down defender and a keeper, unless he is traded in a package for CP3. Not likely though.

Kenyon Martin: K-Mart was added late in the season and had great success. Kenyon should have been here all year like I was saying since July of last year. If he will take the vets min then he should be back.

Pablo Prigioni: PP was a surprise, as he surpassed J-Kidd and landed in the starting line up. He is reluctant to shoot the ball, which caused offensive issues, but I loved what he brought to the table. He is currently making a decision if he wants to stay in the NBA next year, but if he wants the vets min he should be here.

Steve Novak: After having a “break out” season a year ago the Knicks inked him to a 4 year deal worth 16 mill. Steve never got going this year. He does not move without the ball and hesitates shooting with players in his face. To his defense, Woody never got him involved in the offensive game plan the way he should have. Novak will be back unless the Knicks shop him this summer to bolster their line up.

Marcus Camby: MC came into camp out of shape and often injured all year. When he was healthy he got little minutes, but produced. Woody left him on the bench against the Pacers where he would have helped tremendously. Camby is under contract next year, so expect him back, unless he is traded.

Jason Kidd: Early in the season he was great, however his age showed. Talk of him retiring is the buzz, but not likely. He is under contract next year so don’t expect his impending retirement. He is a great teacher and has tons of knowledge, but cannot perform on the court for a whole season.

Chris Copeland: Cope was a terrific find by the Knicks European scouts. He is a “Melo Lite”. He needs to get the time on the floor, probably about 20-25 minutes a game. I believe he can be the Knicks third or fourth option next year if used properly. He can drive, post up and hit the three. He showed when given the chance in the playoffs he could score. Not many Knicks showed up these playoffs, but Chris was one that did! He might get Mini Mid Taxpayer money. That could be an issue for NY since they have many holes to fill.

Earl Barron: Earl never gets the time on the court, but when he does he performs. I believe Earl should make this team as the 15th man and maybe even get a chance to crack the rotation. The Knicks are in desperate need of a big that can hit a jumper consistently. I think Earl is that player.

Q-Rich: Q was added the last week of the season. Q still has the touch and can still D-up if needed. He should be invited to camp and given a chance to make the roster, but the Knicks might wait and see who is available first.

James White: James has some skill, but never had a real chance to crack the rotation. I do not expect Flight White back.

In the end, This roster is flawed. The lack of low post presence really hurt them in the playoffs. Their opponents took away their 3-point shot and limited their pick and rolls. With this defensive strategy, the Knicks season ended. For the Knicks to progress this offseason they will have to find a a “diamond in the rough” or a bargain at the vet’s minimum. If your really look at the roster for what it is, the Knicks will most likely have 3-5 FA’s. Who they sign with their vet’s min and what they do with their taxpayer mini mid will be pivotal for next season.

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Carmelo Anthony (A)

The NBA scoring champ will receive criticism one way or another, but it was truly a great season for Carmelo who put up 28.7ppg, 7rpg and 2.6apg, and led the team to their 1^st division title in almost 20 years. Carmelo finally made a conscious effort to defend with vigor, demonstrated by his early season dives into the crowd for loose balls and nightly rebounding battles against naturally bigger PF’s. Although he slipped a bit during the Conference Semi-Finals with subpar 4^th quarter performances, it was mainly due to carrying a team suddenly lacking consistent performers, i.e. Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith.

J.R. Smith (C+)

After a breakout regular season that culminated with winning the NBA 6^th Man Award with averages of 18.1ppg on 42% shooting, J.R. had a nightmare playoff run that saw his averages drop to 14.3ppg on 33% shooting, reportedly mainly due to excessive partying during the playoffs. His poor postseason performance that also included a one-game suspension and controversial remarks might be the main reason the Knicks failed to meet lofty playoff expectations.

Tyson Chandler (B-)

Prior to the late season injury bug, Chandler was enjoying a solid 2^nd season in New York after making his first All-Star team as well as providing his infectious defense and leadership to the team. But all went downhill after Chandler injured his neck, knee and battled strep throat, which resulted in a loss of 12lbs entering the postseason.  Due to his physically limitations, Tyson was rendered almost useless by a supposedly decrepit Kevin Garnett and then utterly destroyed by Roy Hibbert. Although he would be named to the All-Defense 1^st team, the honor rings hollow as his playoff performance is all we are left with.

Amar’e Stoudemire (INC)

It would be easy to say Amar’e gets an F because he was basically absent all season, but when he did play (29gms, 14.2ppg) he was affective in his new role as a super-reserve. But after two surgeries and appearing in only four playoff games, to be fair, his grade has to be incomplete.

Jason Kidd (C+)

Kidd’s biggest problem was his age (40) as he slowly wore down as the season went along and went from a starter, to reserve, to the end of the bench after going scoreless 10-consecutive playoffs games.  Although Kidd provided solid contributions during the season, his late season swoon would only suggest things will get worse not better for the future hall-of-famer.

Raymond Felton (B-)

Felton had a solid season after returning to the Knicks to replace PG Jeremy Lin, averaging 13.9ppg, 5.5apg, and 3rpg. As usual Felton provided his trademark toughness to the team helping the Knicks capture their first division title in almost two decades with a 54-28 record and the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference. His postseason averages of 14.1ppg, 4.7apg and 3.4rpg were solid. The only question that remains with Raymond is, can the Knicks win a championship with him as the starter?

Iman Shumpert (A-)

Shump slowly played his way back into the explosive, lock-down defender that we all saw during his rookie year. After returning from his ACL injury, Shump was able to start at the SF position the remainder of the year without incident, and by the postseason was clearly the Knicks’ second best player behind Anthony. Unlike most of his teammates, Shumpert actually played better in the postseason shutting down Paul Pierce, Paul George and a variety of other perimeter players. His playoff averages of 9.3ppg and 6.0rpg while impressive, still do not describe the impact Shumpert had in games. With a willingness to play Summer League this summer, the sky is the limit with this youngster.

Kenyon Martin (B+)

Kenyon Martin proved to be a savior of sort after rescuing the Knicks frontcourt, which had been decimated by injuries. Martin came in and immediately brought his trademark toughness to a team sorely lacking in that department, as well as his rebounding and defense. Martin, a career PF, played much of this year at C , as he seamlessly fit in offensively, averaging 7.2ppg in 23mpg, arguably GM Glen Grunwald’s best FA signing.

Pablo Prigioni (A-)

The ultimate pass-first PG found a niche on this team as the pesky full court press defender that created all kinds of havoc on the court! As the season progressed, Pablo proved to be a great facilitator, as his confidence grew so did his shot. He became a knock down 3pt shooter and the glue to the team, especially during the teams late season winning streak.

Chris Copeland (B-)

The rookie really impressed when given his opportunity, showing a consistently good 3pt shot and the overall ability the score the ball evident by his 30pt games in Carmelo Anthony’s absence. By the postseason, he had worked his way into an important member of the rotation and even was credited as the hero of Game 5 in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final round.

Steve Novak (D)

After a breakout 2011-12, Novak regressed this year as expectations rose. His once automatic shot (47% last yr) disappeared most of the season (42% this year). Against good defensive teams Steve continued to struggle to get his shot off, only taking wide open shots, which were far and few between. His inconsistent play this year was the main reason rookie Chris Copeland surpassed him on the depth chart.

James White (D)

White spent the entire year glued to bench, as his biggest role was as team cheerleader and competitive practice sparring partner for Carmelo Anthony

Marcus Camby (F)

Unfortunately Camby spent the entire season, including the preseason, injured or recovering from injuries! A lost year for Camby, but with 2 years still left on his deal, still has time to make an impact if the Knicks don’t decide to buy him out.

Kurt Thomas (C)

Although Thomas didn’t finish the year with the team, his courageous and unselfish act of playing on a broken foot against the Utah Jazz basically ending his season and possibly his career, will no doubt endear him to the fan base for many years to come.

Rasheed Wallace (INC)

Rasheed’s surprising retirement announcement prior to the playoffs was a huge blow to the team because during his brief stint before his injury (21 games), Wallace still effectively defended the post, scored down low, hit the 3-ball, and provided toughness the team was lacking. There’s some talk of Wallace officially joining the coaching staff next season which would be a class move by Coach Woodson.

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Scenario:

The only reason this could ever happen would be if J.R. Smith leaves via free agency and the Knicks are left without the 6^th Man of the Year winner and a back up 2 guard.

Nate fits that mold perfectly. Nate Robinson has had a decent year in a Bulls uniform and had a spectacular playoffs. He has certainly earned a 2 to 3 year deal somewhere in the NBA, if not with Chicago. Starting or coming off the bench, he has been a consistent shooter and was the catalyst in that thrilling 3-overtime game against the Nets in the 1^st round and the upset game 1 victory over the Miami Heat.

Has he matured to the point of coming back to NY? That is a question I cannot answer, but he has been an NBA journeyman since leaving New York. The next stop for Nate is out of the league if he does not change his immature ways and play. He has ALL the talent in the world and definitely is a spark off the bench for the Bulls this year.

Without the services of J.R. Smith, Nate could fill that roll admirably. He can shoot, pass and play D when he is focused. The key is to keep him focused, which many coaches in this league have not. I am weary about bringing players back that were thrown away like garbage, but sometimes these players go out in the NBA and mature enough to come back to New York.

Coach Mike Woodson could have another project on his hands; this one could be the biggest challenge yet! Could he be a better 6^th man and offensive weapon for the New York Knicks? He might be!

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On July 10^th, 2012, J.R. Smith re-signed with the New York Knicks. The details of the contract stated that Smith would be in orange and blue for two years, the second year was a player option, paying him $2.8 Million. Now his first season is up, and with Smith very likely to opt out of the second year of his contract, the Knicks have a huge decision to make, do they sign Smith or let the 27-year-old test free agency?

This year, J.R. Smith turned his career around. Guided by Coach Mike Woodson, Smith became a key part to the Knicks 54-win regular season on and off the court. A player, who had struggled with the law and chemistry with coaches, as well teammates, was now a leader. This showed in his performance for the majority of the season.

The 2012-13 season was by far the best year of Smith’s career. J.R. won the 6^th Man of the Year award, averaging 18.1 points and 5.3 rebounds, both the best marks of his career. But what made him so good was his ability to drive to the basket late in the year during that winning streak.

In the early stages of the season, J.R. was an inconsistent player as usual. He could have nights like November 13^th in Orlando when he scored 21 points in 31 minutes on 9/14 shooting, but he could also have nights like November 26^th in Brooklyn when against the rival Nets, Smith scored 5 points on 2/7 shooting in a losing effort. Most of his damage early in the season was off of jump shooting and three-pointers.

On March 18^th, the Knicks were struggling. They had just lost their fourth straight game on the west coast and were banged up in every way. Carmelo Anthony had knee issues, Amar’e Stoudemire was recovering from knee surgery and Tyson Chandler was recently injured with a bulging disc in his neck. However help was in the form of J.R. Smith. J.R. helped turn the season around. Smith played extraordinarily well in Utah on the 18^th, and with the absence of all three of the Knicks “stars” Smith, along with Kurt Thomas, led the team to a win, the biggest and most needed win of the year.

But it wasn’t all “butter” for Smith that game. The first half was dreadful, as his jumpers weren’t falling. At halftime, he made adjustments that he continued for the next 12-½ games (all wins) and the rest of the regular season: He drove to the basket. Smith finished with 20 points (18 in the second half) as he had a new style of play.

After playing incredibly well in the final months of the season, Smith got ejected and suspended one game in the post-season for an elbow to the face of Jason Terry. After that, the “old J.R.” st showed up on the scene. Smith shot under 29% in the Conference Semifinals against the Pacers, and averaged nearly 5 points less in the series then he did in the regular season.

Not only was his performance poor on the court, but in two separate occasions during the post-season, J.R. was seen at nightclubs the night before a game, once watching a boxing match, and once spotted with Rihanna.

A player who looked changed in the regular season went back to his own ways helping the Knicks exit much sooner then they wanted too.

After the Game 6 loss, the last game of the Knicks season, Smith was asked about his future. He said “”I want to retire a Knick; I don’t want to go anywhere else. I love it. I love my teammates. I love my coaches. I was sitting in the locker room looking at my jersey after the game just knowing I don’t want to be anywhere else except for in the orange and blue. So we’ll see.”

What do you think Knicks fans? Can the Knicks rely on J.R. Smith to be a consistent second scoring option for Melo, and re-sign him, or should the Knicks let the reigning 6^th Man of the Year test free agency, and maybe not retire a Knick?

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The ending of any season without a championship is tough, but it’s even tougher when the season ends losing to an inferior team. No disrespect to the Indiana Pacers, but if the Knicks played half as well as they did during the regular season, then they would be preparing for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat. But they aren’t, and there are a few reasons for that. Below we examine the five biggest reasons the Pacers prevailed:

Tyson Chandler’s Horrid Play

The All-Star defensive specialist was anything but, as Roy Hibbert completely dominated Chandler in every facet of the game! Hibbert abused Chandler during the series averaging 13ppg, 10rpg and 3.2blks, but the numbers really don’t begin to tell the story. Tyson’s inability to guard Hibbert one-on-one forced the Knicks into doubling the post, leaving Pacer shooters wide open looks. Hibbert’s ability to constantly find the open man or make a play for himself truly was the biggest factor in the Knicks demise. With Hibbert totally dominating, and the media and fans calling him out for his futile play (6ppg 6rpg), Tyson resorted to calling out his coaches and teammates, mainly Carmelo Anthony, that stagnant offensive movement was the root of the team’s problem, not his inability to contain the previously containable Hibbert. After being exposed as a one dimensional player, there are many now questioning if Chandler is the right piece at his price tag.

Point Guard Play of Ray Felton

If you ask Knicks fans who was the best point guard for the Knicks during this series you can honestly say Pablo Prigioni was, because Ray Felton was completely outplayed by Pacers PG, George Hill. Hill, who guided his squad with a coolness and effectiveness, resulting in him averaging around 17ppg, while leading the Pacers, a team who notoriously struggles to score, to an average of 90ppg. Felton, who seemed spooked by the presence of Hibbert, didn’t attack the basket nearly as much as the Knicks needed him to, evident by the fact he only shot 10 free throws during the entire series. More concerning than that, was the fact that similar to Game 6 vs. the Celtics, Felton wilted under pressure deferring to Carmelo to run the offense at critical junctures of the game instead of demanding the ball and getting his team in order! As a result, Carmelo was forced, not because of Woodson’s “Iso ball” but because Felton ran away from the ball, to become the Point Forward at end of games. Now Felton’s play may not have been horrendous, but definitely not effective enough to deliver New York its first championship in over 40yrs. The fact that he shot 1-8 in gm 3 then 0-7 during critical game 6 speaks volumes. The Knicks will have to find a way to upgrade the position to be realistic about championship aspirations.

J.R. Smith’s Continued Struggles

You can argue that the single most reason for the Knicks going fishing was the poor play of J.R. Smith, who shot just 29% during the series and made more news off the court than on it with accusations of excessive clubbing during the playoffs. Smith rewarded his number #1 supporter in Mike Woodson, by playing his worst during the most important time of the year, the playoffs. Now any player can struggle, but when your struggles are self-inflicted by lack of maturity and responsibility then there’s no excuse. After a great regular season that saw Smith barely miss the All-Star team and win the NBA 6^{th man} award, he will now be mostly remembered for his vicious elbow to Jason Terry, which resurrected a dying Celtic team, his ill advised quotes, “we would be playing golf if I played” or “we going to a funeral”, and his 29% shooting that doomed a Knicks team that seemed destine for the Conference Finals.

Woodson’s Coaching Decisions

Mike Woodson did a good job with this team all year, but no coach is perfect unless your name is Pat Riley or Phil Jackson. Many of his decisions during the series led to the Knicks demise as well. No decision worse than the panic move before Game 4, when he decided to change a starting line-up that won him the Atlantic division and a 13-game winning streak, prior to the start of the  playoffs, in an attempt to match up with Indiana’s size. The idea was a good idea; however the message it sent may have lost the series for the team right there. It seemed to admit to the Pacers “we’re not good enough to beat you and must resort to change”. Woodson’s inability to make rotational adjustments like inserting Chris Copeland earlier in the series hurt as well, or his refusal to bench a struggling J.R. Smith in favor of Iman Shumpert, who should have played an even larger part in this series.

Defending Home Court

The Knicks spent 82 games during the regular season positioning themselves for the #2 seed and ensuring home-court advantage until the Conference Finals, but all was lost after Indiana dominated a surprisingly unprepared Knicks squad in Game 1, 102-95. Indiana, who has remained undefeated at home during the playoffs with a 6-0 record, did what the Knicks couldn’t do, defend the home court, and because of that the Knicks will be watching the Conference Finals instead of competing in them.

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