As many Knicks fans know, the 2014-2015 season was embarrassing for the team. They went 17-65, the worst record in Knicks franchise history. Not to mention they had the second-worst record in the league last year and didn’t get a top three pick in the NBA draft. Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony managed to play in just 40 games last season due to a lingering knee injury. He underwent surgery in the offseason and is now making his recovery.

The bright side is that the Knicks will most likely have a better season than last year. Even though Phil Jackson, the Knicks president of basketball operations, didn’t sign a big name free agent, there are many new faces in the clubhouse. The team also had the 4th overall pick in last year’s draft and chose the 7 foot tall, 20-year-old power forward Kristaps Porzingis. In addition to Porzingis, the team traded shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr for the 19th overall pick in the draft, selecting point guard Jerian Grant from Notre Dame. These two rookies will have many opportunities on this Knicks team, leaving fans hopeful for the future of the organization.

But the problem is that it’s New York, and the fans want to see a winning team at Madison Square Garden every night. Phil Jackson signed many free agents this past summer, hoping to put nice pieces around superstar Carmelo Anthony. Some of Phil Jackson’s signings include center Robin Lopez, shooting guard Aaron Afflalo, forward Derrick Williams and big man Kyle O’Quinn via sign-and-trade with the Orlando Magic. And, of course, these were not the signings that Knicks fans had expected with all of the money they made this past offseason. The Knicks gave offers to the big name free agents like LaMarcus Aldrige, DeAndre Jordan and Greg Monroe, but failed to bring any of them to the team. But the reality of the situation is that the team has to win some more games and be in contention for the playoffs if they want to bring any big names to the Big Apple.

Perhaps the Knicks will surprise their fans and have a good season. With the Eastern Conference weak and the division wide open, the Knicks have a legitimate shot to make the postseason. But for that to happen, the Knicks will need Carmelo Anthony to return to his old, dominant offensive ways and lead the team. Center Robin Lopez is one of the best defensive players in the NBA and will bring lots of intensity and hustle to the team. Shooting guard Aaron Afflalo is a nice second option to Carmelo Anthony on the offensive end of the floor and will be a big contributor to the team. Forward Derrick Williams is a solid all-around player and a former number two overall pick back in the 2011 draft. Williams is still a young talent with potential and could finally have his opportunity to have his breakout season in the NBA.

The 2015-2016 NBA season should be a much-improved one for the Knicks. With the new young talent coming in via the draft, a fully recovered Carmelo Anthony and the additions of Robin Lopez, Aaron Afflalo, Derrick Williams, and Kyle O’Quinn, the Knicks will be a competitive team in the division and Eastern Conference this season.

Sources:
http://www.nba.com/knicks/knicks-acquire-four-free-agents-afflalo-r.-lopez-williams-oquinn#
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_York_Knicks_seasons