Following the trades that sent Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph packing, for a short while, the Knicks seemed like they'd be able to survive the core-shaking changes to their roster. Al Harrington came to New York with something to prove, and he blazed through a hot streak of games about a week after joining the club.
Unfortunately, Harrington's magic quickly disappeared, and he's since reverted back to his inconsistent ways. Crawford and Randolph were New York's go-to scorers, and the only two players on the team that could be counted on for one-on-one buckets. While Donnie Walsh's deals may have created cap space for a 2010 shopping spree, they also created a monster in the face of the Knicks' current roster.
The essential problem is that the team lacks an identity, and in the NBA, a team's identity is often rooted in its stars. The group of misfit toys that Walsh has assembled lacks a single star, and thus, Mike D'Antoni's squad has no one to rely on in close fourth quarter situations.
Not surprisingly, the Knicks have struggled to produce in the fourth quarter since the Crawford and Randolph trades. D'Antoni's rotation is as follows:
Starters: PG-Chris Duhon, SG-Quentin Richardson, SF-Wilson Chandler, PF-David Lee, C-Jared Jeffries
Bench (those that see consistent action): F-Al Harrington, G-Nate Robinson, F-Tim Thomas
On a given night, any of those players -- with the exception of Jeffries -- can be considered New York's premier player. Harrington and Thomas look good when they are feeling it, but their ups are seemingly always accompanied by downs. Robinson, Richardson, and Chandler are hot-and-cold as well.
Duhon and Lee are fine role players, but on this team, they have to be considered amongst the elite. There's obviously an issue in itself.
The point is, it's not going to get any better for the Knicks if this is the roster they are stuck with for the remainder of the season, and maybe even next year. It's a shame because the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference will likely be up for grabs at the end of the season, and with Crawford and Randolph, there's no question that New York would be at the top of the contenders list.
It's too late now, though...looks like Knicks fans will have to wait until 2010 for a return to the postseason.
Keywords: Al Harrington, Chris Duhon, David Lee, Donnie Walsh killed the Knicks this year, Donnie Walsh ruined the Knicks, Jamal Crawford, Jared Jeffries, Knicks, Knicks are awful, Knicks are bad again, Knicks are terrible, Knicks Basketball, Mike D'Antoni, Nate Robinson, New York Knicks, Quentin Richardson, Stephon Marbury, Tim Thomas, Wilson Chandler, Zach Randolph
