Knicks aiming to get better first, then attract stars; want to play faster
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Coming off the worst season in franchise history, the New York Knicks opted for a somewhat low-key offseason by the standards placed on Basketball Mecca.
There was no ill-fated LeBron James chase, no dalliance with Kevin Love, and no earnest Marc Gasol flirtation. Even a meeting with LaMarcus Aldridge was called off when it was clear the Knicks (strangely) had designs on asking Aldridge to play center. For Knicks fans, and perhaps for 31-year-old superstar Carmelo Anthony, the lack of splash may be disappointing.
But those marquee free agents weren't coming, and they're far less likely to come so long as the Knicks are bad. Instead, New York made several smart, lower-profile signings that, while they won't make the Knicks a contender, should see them improve appreciably. And if fans are disappointed in the lack of superstar recruitment, they can consider those steps toward respectability as the first step in the next recruiting process.
"We're in a position where we think, as our team gets better, we can attract the big stars," general manager Steve Mills said. "We can do that."
It's a realistic but somewhat uncharacteristic recognition that playing in Gotham alone may not be enough to attract talent, not when stars are chasing rings and the entire league is on the precipice of an embarrassment of cap space.
So while the additions of Arron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, Kyle O'Quinn, and Robin Lopez, and the retention of Lou Amundson and Lance Thomas didn't make huge waves, they, along with rookies Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant, should make next summer's Knicks a more attractive destination.
The Knicks will also aim to play at a faster pace, head coach Derek Fisher said Friday. Along with his out-of-timeout sets and improving the team's woeful defensive rebounding, Fisher highlighted tempo as a key area he wants to work on at Las Vegas Summer League.
The Knicks ranked 28th in pace a season ago and dead-last in fast-break points. Their additions don't necessarily scream run-and-gun style, but there's more talent in place now and Fisher may see fit to adjust his schemes to allow for a more free-flowing offensive attack.