They were the Knicks version of Bonnie and Clyde, a pair of basketball outlaws who swept through the five boroughs leaving New Yorkers with a basketball franchise bankrupt of pride.
Former GM Isiah Thomas, and his once pet project turned Stephen King mutant, point guard Stephon Marbury, left the Knicks with a 23-59 record last season.
Combined with the whimsical fate of ping-pong balls, the Knicks have the sixth pick in the upcoming draft. Six doesn’t sound too bad until one remembers that there are four, perhaps five, elite prospects in this draft.
Then again, if the Knicks want a replacement for Marbury, six isn’t so bad when one considers that are there two elite point guards in this draft and three others with potential.
Derrick Rose of Memphis, who was described by UCLA coach Ben Howland as the next Jason Kidd, likely will be Chicago’s choice with the No.1 pick.
Jerryd Bayless of Arizona will not be far behind. Then there are three ‘beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder’ point guards.
UCLA’s Russell Westbrook, some believe, has the most upside. Leaving Westwood after his second season, the 6-foot-3 Westbrook was an excellent defender in college and has terrific athleticism.
But Darren Collison was the lead guard at UCLA so Westbrook must prove he can run a team.
“When Darren and I were on the court, coach Howland said it was like having two point guards,” Westbrook said after a recent workout with the Knicks.
Indiana’s Eric Gordon seemingly got to the basket at will in college. He is a scorer/slasher, who, at 6-3, will have more trouble getting the shots he got in college in the NBA.
D.J. Augustin of Texas is a true point guard. Augustin’s problem is that he’s 6-0, which means he can post up Nate Robinson, but no other NBA point guards.
All five point guards could be drafted in the Top 10.
If Rose isn’t the first player taken, Michael Beasley of Kansas State will be. Much like last year, when center Greg Oden and power forward Kevin Durant went 1-2, this year’s draft also focuses on two players – Rose and Beasley.
There isn’t another NBA-ready power forward in this draft, though UCLA’s Kevin Love is an intriguing talent. The free-spirited Love has 3-point range and was considered the nation’s top prep player a year ago.