Team Expert/Cool Guy: Marcel Mutoni of the highly popular Bench Renaldo. In fact, it's so popular, ESPN.com asked Mr. Mutoni to contribute to their preview! See the right-hand bar. But, it doesn't stop there, Marcel also has his own column on SLAMonline.com, the bible of basketball... at least the Old Testament of it.
Questions and Answers:
1. Who is feeling more pressure - Isiah Thomas the coach to get his
players to save his job OR Renaldo Balkman to validate Thomas' choice to make him a first-rounder?
I think it's fair to assume that Isiah is feeling the most pressure. In fact, team owner James Dolan has made it pretty damn clear that the team must show a "substantial" improvement in order for Thomas to keep his job. So, what exactly does "substantial" mean? 30 wins? 40 wins? It's hard to tell, but anything even remotely resembling last season, and Isiah will be looking for new work.
As for Renaldo, he is dealing with a different kind of pressure. Since everyone expects him to fail, he can do one of two things: 1)fight like a dog for playing time (through hustle in practice and games; going hard at the boards; playing tough defense; and giving a greater effort than everyone else) and make something of himself in this league or 2)meet everyone's expectations by collecting the first round money and fading off into Bolivia. From everything I've seen and read, he's got the size, strength and athleticism to be a competent NBA player; it's just a matter of giving his all and not listening to the doubters. Besides, everyone loves an underdog, right?
2. With Larry Brown gone, how much happier will Stephon Marbury be and how does the happiness translate into performance? Can we expect Marbury to finally live up to being the "best point guard in the league" or at least close to it?
Aside from his glorious but short-lived run in Minny with KG, this is Marbury's best (and last) chance to leave a lasting impression in this league. Isiah is the perfect coach for him, because in many ways, they are the same person: petty, emotional, wildly competitive, and incredibly talented. Zeke knows that the Knicks can only go as far as Starbury will take them, so I fully expect him to give his point guard the keys to the ship, which will embolden Stephon and force him to be a leader. He's gone through a lot in his career, and should have learned enough lessons not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The key will be finding a balance between consummate team player and "Starbury." Once he sees that his coach trusts him to make the right decisions, he will. I think he is about to put everything together and become a true star.
3. How do last season's rookie trio - Channing Frye, David Lee, and Nate Robinson - develop in their second seasons?
Channing (before he went down with the injury) and David had solid rookie campaigns, and I see no reason for them not to improve in their sophomore years. They give the Knicks a lift off the bench and have the ability (through their athleticism) to bring a smile onto the depressed faces in MSG. Nate, I worry about. He needs to find a way to get himself under control if he wants to last in this league. For a guy who preaches playing "the right way," I was really surprised to see how much playing time Larry Brown gave the hyper-active Robinson. If he can limit his turnovers and focus a little bit more on distributing the rock instead of trying to be the second coming of Iverson, he could be a valuable backup to Marbury.
4. Is there anything else you want to say about the Knicks?
They will struggle for stretches of the season--that's to be expected when a team adopts a new system--but I see them being a much better team than last year. Will that translate into wins? Only time will tell. But it's a fresh start for everyone, and after last season's horrific showing, there's only one way for this team to go. Up.
Oh, and one more thing: For the love of MJ, please TRADE FRANCIS!!!!
5. Besides the Knicks as a choice, who will win the NBA Finals this
season? A team name is all that's necessary.
Dirk and the Mavs seems to be everyone's chic pick to win it all this season, but I certainly wouldn't count out the Heat. There isn't a clear-cut favorite this year--the Spurs, Mavs, Heat, Bulls, and even the Cavs all have a legitimate shot at the title--but if Amare stays healthy, I don't see anyone stopping Phoenix (even if they don't play a lick of defense).