MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: David Lee came up with a career season ahead of the contract negotiations and led the league with 65 double-doubles. He was lacking on the defensive end, but averaged 16 points and 11.7 rebounds. Bob McAdoo and Patrick Ewing are the only other Knicks to finish with 16 and 11.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: Eddy Curry endured more than his share of drama this season, much of it self-induced. He came into training camp heavy, took ill, and never recovered. Curry only played 12 minutes because of cranky knees and off-the-court issues, so it won't be easy to get rid of his contract, which extends beyond next season. FREE AGENT FOCUS: The Knicks plans in July will obviously be a result of what they accomplish on draft night. For instance, if they land a guard, their focus with their few options (the mid-level exception and the bi-annual exception) would be to target a shot-blocking big. If they come away with Jordan Hill, for instance, then they would likely target a guard (Ramon Sessions, Jason Kidd?). But the bigger issue comes with their two restricted free agents, David Lee and Nate Robinson.
Neither can be traded on draft night, but by July 9 they can be involved in sign-and-trade situations. Lee initially wanted $10 million per year, but in the economic downturn it is likely he'll get significantly less from the Knicks. His future in New York will likely be decided by two factors: 1) if another team with cap space (Detroit, for instance) signs him to an offer sheet more than what the Knicks are willing to spend; 2) if they can land a significant player for him in a sign-and-trade. Robinson is considered more valuable as a trade asset.
PLAYER NEWS:
--F Danilo Gallinari, who is rehabilitating from season-ending back surgery in April, went home to Italy in mid-June for a brief visit. He told members of the Italian media that he feels better each day and planned to join the team in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League in July. Gallinari, however, isn't expected to play in any of the games. His goal is to participate in the workouts, which is a positive sign toward his progress. Gallinari's back issues initially flared up in Vegas last summer when, in his first game, he was leveled by Robert "Tractor" Traylor.
--G Chris Duhon was arguably the Knicks' MVP of the first half of the season, but the heavy workload of minutes wore him down and it resulted in a poor second half showing. Duhon did appear to have a terrific grasp of D'Antoni's sytem for a good portion of the year. But it seems obvious with all of the attention paid to point guards in the pre-draft process, the Knicks are clearly looking to upgrade that position. Duhon has one year left on his mid-level deal and is already being written off by some observers, including potential draftees such as the brash Brandon Jennings, who said the Knicks "have great players, they just need a point guard to bring it all together." Ouch.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Danilo Gallinari (back surgery) is expected to resume basketball activity at the end of May and might be ready for summer league.
