Dan's Pilot

The Knicks are (Almost) Back 

Hello readers. My name is Dan Girolamo. With Chris’ permission, I have decided to take my talents to Mia..... I mean Ice Bath. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved everything about sports. I was almost born with a football in my hand due to my father, who was the starting QB at Hofstra (RIP football program, 7^th all time in passing yards). I was always a good athlete, but never the great player I dreamed of becoming. I played football, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. To put it into perspective, here are my professional equivalents.

Football-Alex Smith/Jim Leonhard-scrappy white guys who have a high football IQ

Basketball-Jason Kidd-does all of the little things, especially the ones that don’t show up in the box score

Lacrosse- Chris LaPierre- a groundball machine who creates transition offense. For those of you that do not know of this Virginia standout or have never watched lacrosse, check out this monster in the weight room.

Baseball- Derek Jeter- my personal idol and the player who I dreamed of becoming, even though my lifetime average was probably .250

Did I just compare myself to Derek Jeter? Yea I crossed the line didn't I.

(^^^OK, editor Chris inserted that line because he was so astonished that one of his writers compared his baseball career to Derek Jeter)

Now lets get down to business. The New York Knicks are currently 2^nd in the Eastern Conference with a 32-19 record. They are off to their best start in over 10 years. Carmelo Anthony is 2^nd in the NBA with 28.3 PPG and has a shot to snag some MVP votes (notice how I said receive some votes. Lebron or KD will win the MVP). Tyson Chandler is having an all-star caliber season and JR Smith has a good shot to win 6^th man of the year.

All signs seem to point up for the Knicks…. WRONG. I am writing this article the day after the Knicks were completely EMBARRASSED by the Indiana Pacers, 125-91. It came to a point where the Pacers were shown “laughing” throughout the game. Since I was so disgruntled by the first half abomination, my TV was off at halftime and I did not witness this...but trust me, I believe it. Heck, Amar’e and Melo were seen laughing on the bench. Maybe they can laugh their sorrows away if they lose in the 1^st round of the playoffs for the 3^rd straight year.

Plain and simple, the Knicks look old and slow. Jason Kidd is starting to feel the effects of an 82 game season. Rasheed Wallace has not played in the year 2013. Kurt Thomas needs a respirator every time he comes off the court, and Marcus Camby is getting paid $4,590,338 to drink water. Every other day, it seems that a new player gets to wear their favorite designer suit on the bench.

You must be saying, “Dan, how can the Knicks get back on track?” Don’t worry kids because there is hope.

Obviously, Carmelo Anthony has to keep scoring the basketball. If Melo does not put up 25+ a game, the Knicks do not stand a chance. Now I’m not saying he has to shoot more and take on triple teams, but he does have to score, and it will take a courageous, magical performance come playoff time if the Knicks want to take down the Heat.

Amar’e Stoudemire HAS to be more productive. When he comes into the game, he has to be a presence. I'm not saying he has to be the Amar'e of old from the Suns, but can we get some sort of remnants of that Amar'e? The Knicks cannot afford for him to go 15 and 5. Realistically, he needs close to 10 rebounds a game and to start becoming a “man” in the paint. He is not the Amar’e of the past, but can still be a productive scorer.

The supporting cast has to chip in as well. JR Smith needs to be consistent on a daily basis, Tyson Chandler needs to keep being the emotional leader on the court, and Raymond Felton has to be the Raymond Felton from his first stint with the Knicks.

Positively, Iman Shumpert can play some D and Steve Novak can hit 3’s with his eyes closed.

Last but not least, Jason Kidd is the gasoline to this engine. To quote Reggie Jackson, he’s the “straw that stirs the drink.” Jason Kidd makes this team “go.” He hits the clutch 3 pointers, grabs every rebound in his path, and provides a sense of leadership. He has been to the top before, and he is capable of taking us to the top again.

Who will show up the rest of the season? The new look Knicks or the Isiah Thomas Knicks of the Dark Ages. Mike Woodson needs to get this team ready for the playoffs, and I trust that he will succeed.

Are the Knicks back? It’s still a work in progress. I’m not greedy. A trip to the 2^nd round of the playoffs would be a success. It’s the Heat’s championship to lose, but wouldn’t it be great if the Knicks stood in their path?

-Dan Girolamo

Follow Dan at @DannyG3242

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