2009-2010 Finish: 50-32

What went well

In 2009, the NLL introduced stricter luxury cap rules to prevent fat cat GMs from hoarding all the good players (these rules have been tightened either further). Longtime GM Dunadan said fick dich! to the rules and had one of the splashiest offseasons in NLL history?

So how did he do it? He let restricted free agents David Lee, Paul Millsap and Deron Williams walk and then used the excess money to sign Trevor Ariza and Ramon Sessions before claiming back his star threesome. The team also re-signed Nate Robinson, traded anchor Elton Brand to the Pacers for Tyson Chandler and James Jones (waiving him) and sent Rudy Gay and Ronnie Price to the Jazz for James Harden.

With his endless pockets doling out GM point fines like candy for being so far over the lux tax (“GM points don’t mean anything anymore), the Knicks spent most of the season near the top of the Eastern Conference pack. At one point, Dunadan traded Sessions and Glen Davis to the Spurs for Sergio Rodriguez, Brian Cook and Theo Ratliff, but that was a minor move.

The Knicks finished as the third seed in the East, plowing through Joe Johnson’s Bulls in the first round four games to one. Then they met the Sixers in the semi-finals.

What went worse

The big expensive Knicks folded to the Sixers in five games. While the Sixers were a good team, this pricey club was supposed to be destined for the Finals. Dunadan gets the annual Money Toilet Paper away for spending so much and not getting back his just returns.

Stars

- David Lee, PF -

Lee exploded this season, becoming the player Dunadan saw all along. Lee raised his scoring average from 9.5ppg to a monster 17.2ppg and brought in 9.5 boards. Too bad Lee asked for a trade as soon as the season ended.



- Deron Williams, PG –

Williams may just be the best floor general in the league, especially after the ruinous season Chris Paul had. Williams played in 74 games, scoring 19.5ppg on 40% shooting and dished out 6.1 assists per game. Quite the player!



Goats

- Tyson Chandler, C –

Sure, Chandler had a good season for the Knicks….when he played. But less than 50 games at $12mil+ just doesn’t cut it. When you’re paying a guy that much money and need to start Theo Ratliff, there are serious problems.



- Andris Biedrins, C –

Biedrins has been a great player for the Knicks for years. But his last two seasons have been plagued with injuries, making us wonder if the big man was worth the extension. This past season he only managed to suit up for 38 games. Though he dominated when on the court, 38 games do not a season make.


Looking to the future

With GM points suddenly becoming valuable, Dunadan is going to need to take a good, hard look at his roster before the season starts. He currently has 8 guys under contract with only $1mil to go under the salary cap. Also, Lee and Anthony Morrow have demanded trades. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see an entirely new Knicks team this fall.

In the draft, Dunadan did a super reach, grabbing projected 2nd rounder Lance Stephenson at pick 26. The Cincinnati freshman is strong and quick but his violent off-court behavior may be an issue. His arrest for pushing his pregnant girlfriend down some stairs in August may be the end of his basketball career. Three hundred and two pound Tiny Gallon is also a longshot to make the team. We suspect Dunadan selected him for his name only.

The Knicks come into the season at another crossroads. Where will David Lee go? How can the team save money and still compete? Either Chandler or Biedrins should be moved while free agents Ratliff, Ronnie Brewer and Raja Bell are going to take off while Rodriguez will bolt for Spain. It’s an interesting time to be a Knicks fan, but don’t worry, Dunadan will surely have some tricks up his sleeve.