Knicks can turn it around like Kidd

Much like the Knicks the past 10 years, the New Jersey Nets have had more than their fair share of losing throughout their history. During the Knicks Ewing years, they had a little window where Derrick Coleman, Kenny Anderson and Drazen Petrovic had the Nets competing for the playoffs. Other than that, they were always a franchise in the cellar relying on players like Sherman Douglas, Armon Gilliam, and Chris Morris to get them through 82 game seasons. They actually built a team in the late 90's that consisted of Keith Van Horn, Jayson Williams, Kendall Gill, Kerry Kittles and Sam Cassell that had success.



After becoming everyone's favorite team to watch, they got bit horribly by the injury bug. They also made a few chippy moves that slowly eat away at the teams talent level. Just like a bad team, they chose to chase superstar players instead of trying to build on the young pieces within the team. They made that infamous 4 way trade that sent Sam Cassel to the Bucks, Terrell Brandon to Minnesota and Stephon Marbury to the New Jersey(forgot the other details but we're not talking about that are we?). Marbury inherited a talented group that simply could not stay healthy. He went on to play some of his best individual basketball of his career. They managed to get the #1 pick which turned out to be Kenyon Martin, but even he was taken down with a freak fracture of his leg while scrimaging in practice. Instead of trying to build around Marbury and getting him much needed reinforcements, they make another trade. They traded star point guard for star point guard again, but this time they got the lucky charm in Jason Kidd.



All of a sudden the Nets were all healed up after just about 3 seasons in the infirmary. They also made the draft day trade of Eddie Griffith for Richard Jefferson, Brandon Armstrong and Jason Collins. That draft trade was a miricle in itself for obvious reasons. Training camp opens and Jason Kidd makes a statement. I can't find reference to it since its been a while. Jason made a statement telling the press that "people are going to be surprised by the way we play". Well surprised we were because the Nets went from the laughing stock of the league for 3 seasons, to the top of the basketball world. They went from the nba lottery, to the nba finals in one season. Kenyon Martin, Keith Van Horn, Kerry Kittles and the rookie Richard Jefferson became the ultimate targets in a relentless fastbreaking offense lead by Jason Kidd. They devestated the Eastern Conference. The franchise also finally got it right and made subtle moves to improve the squad which made a second finals appearence the next year.



Relating to the current Knicks revamp, there are some paralells. The Knicks brought in a proven winner in Amar'e Stoudamire. He's had some injuries in the past but bounced back better than ever each time. He's also proven to be a spiritual man, having made a pilgrimage to Isreal to learn more about the culture his mother introduced to him as a child. His presence could possibly shed some light on the Garden that seemingly had a dark cloud hovering over it the last decade. The Knicks also made a trade of their own that didn't even need to happen. David Lee was already going to sign with Golden State, but for whatever reason, Golden State felt compelled to trade the Knicks Anthony Randolph, Turiaf and Azubuike. They all have had their share of injuries, but the potential of the trio could make them all fixtures in the Knicks rotation for years to come. Especially 3rd year player, Anthony Randolph. He's shown some scary flashes of brilliance and the Knicks are getting him at the right time. The Knicks point guard situation also has never been better with the acqusition of Raymond Felton. He's not Jason Kidd but he's on the 2nd tier level of point guards of this generation. He's in an offense that could highlight his strengths and light a fire under this new team.



What's the buzz going to be like at the practice facility? Will Alan Hahn, Howard Beck, and Frank Isola boast about the chemistry building on the court? Or will we hear stuff about Duhon talking smack to Nate Robinson while he shoots half court jumpers for no reason like last year? First of all, thank God the Knicks don't have Duhon and Nate on the roster. This year it all seems different because it is. 2/3rds of the team is literally different. 95% of the roster is built for speed (that other 5% is Eddy Curry). D'antoni has no excuse now but to run his offense. Donnie Walsh is not in salary cap mode. D'antoni even has a "bad back" that's preventing him from coaching at the World Championships this summer. Everyone is going to be around the team this summer to build that foundation. I'm not Jason Kidd, but I believe alot of people are going to be surprised by the way the 2010/11 Knicks play. It's now or never.