It’s hard to find the right adjective to describe the New York Knicks 2013-2014 season, because this season has been so historically bad. Based on preseason expectations, this is arguably the most disappointing and frustrating season for the Knicks and their fans since they won the NBA Championship in 1973.
After last season when the Knicks won 54 games and the Atlantic division title, no one could have imagined that the Knicks would be in danger of not winning 30 games this season. The only time this season the Knicks have been above 500 is when they won their opening game of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks. So far this season, the Knicks have had seven losing streaks of at least three games. Coming into March, the Knicks have lost eight games by 20 or more points. The Knicks also rank near the bottom of the NBA in rebounding and assists, illustrating their lack of team chemistry. This season has been mired with injuries, mental lapses, lack of effort, and just poor basketball. Veteran players such as J.R. Smith, Tyson Chandler, and Raymond Felton have taken a step back, and the offseason acquisitions of Metta World Peace and Andrea Bargnani have not panned out. In fact, World Peace was released by the Knicks shortly after the All-Star break.
In addition to the poor performance on the basketball court, in February Raymond Felton was arrested for having an unregistered gun. Given New York’s strict gun laws, there’s a cloud of uncertainty as to Felton’s playing status for next season.
The lone bright spot has been Carmelo Anthony, who statically is having one of the best seasons of his career. His 62- point performance in February against the Charlotte Bobcats brought the Madison Square Garden scoring record back to the Knicks. Kobe Bryant had the previous record when he scored 61 points against the Knicks five years ago.
However, Anthony’s bringing the MSG scoring record back to the Knicks may have been a parting gift to the Knicks and their fans. Anthony is expected to opt out of his contract, making him a free agent. Although no team can offer him as much money as the Knicks, he has made it clear his desire to win. Seeing the disarray the Knicks are in, and since he’s on the verge of missing the playoffs for the first time in his career, how could Anthony possibly envision winning a championship in New York?
Other players (such as Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Joakim Noah of the Bulls) have already had conversations with Anthony about joining their team next season. So as bad as the Knicks have been this season, they will be even worse next season if Anthony leaves for one of the above mentioned teams.
To make matters worse, the Knicks don’t even have a first round pick in the upcoming draft.
Even if Anthony decides to return to the Knicks, the Knicks will have no money to acquire free agents that will make them better next season. The salaries of Amare Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, and Andrea Barnani will account for over $45 million next season.
The Knicks will have to wait until the summer of 2015, when they’ll finally have some cap relief and hopes of acquiring some of the top free agents. It’s been known of the Knicks’ desire to try to bring in Kevin Love and Rajon Rondo when they become free agents after next season. But given the history of the Knicks under James Dolan, why would they or any of the other free agents trust that Dolan can build a champion?
So while the future of the Knicks is uncertain, the only thing that is certain is that Knicks fans have been craving for a title for close to half a century, and it doesn’t look like a title is coming soon.