New York Knicks

One of the main disasters in all of sports in new history, the Knicks has to prove that their huge payroll can win games or face a not-so-good future. With most of their money locked up with egotistical swing men new head coach Isiah Thomas will have his hands full trying to fulfill New York fan prospect.

The majority of the talented player on the Knicks is point guard Stephon Marbury. The problem with Marbury is that he is often too self-centered for a point guard and usually finishes on losing Knicks teams because of his attitude. It is hard to imagine the Knicks following if Isiah can't get Marbury to begin playing team basketball. Behind Marbury is young, and short, Nate Robinson. Nate is a good alternative off the bench and can score points, but his size makes him a serious suspicious liability.

At the two position are Jamal Crawford and Steve Francis. Both players are self-centered shoot-first players with a lot of talent. Both players also have to find a way to be more effective in scoring. Expect the two to split time unless one of them emerges as a dependable option game in and game out.

The forward positions are filled by Jared Jeffries, Quentin Richardson, David Lee and Channing Frye. Of the four, Frye is the one with the brightest future as a Knick. Channing had a great rookie season, averaging 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds a game and should expand upon those numbers with a year under his belt. Jeffries was acquired from the Wizards and the Knicks are hoping that he will bring toughness and defense to a team without either.

Finally at the center position is Eddy Curry, who once was referred to as a possible second coming of Shaq. Curry is not one of the brightest players in the league, but should be able to score in the paint enough to help the New York Knicks stay balanced. Right now, it is a attractive safe bet that the Knicks are regretting trading their picks for him.

The New York Knicks of 2006 are not much dissimilar than 2005, but a new coach, who is coaching for his job, and maybe extreme anxiety might help them score more wins. It is hard to see the playoffs for a team with as much selfishness as this one, but they surely have the talent to do so if they discover a way to play together.