New York Knicks 2014-15 Season Preview

The New York Knicks looked like the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus on a nightly basis last season.

Carmelo Anthony’s free agency, and the uncertainty it brought, hung over the Knicks like a dark cloud on a rainy day.

J.R. Smith had knee surgery before last season and violated the league’s anti-drug policy, resulting in a five-game suspension to start the season. He then became more preoccupied with untying the shoelaces of opponents instead of loosening their laces with his crossover dribble – just ask Tristan Thompson.

Raymond Felton was hampered by injuries, weight and was arrested on gun charges.

Mike Woodson was fired after missing the playoffs, while Tyson Chandler publicly criticized his defensive schemes and Smith reportedly got into heated confrontations with the embattled coach.

Now, that’s all in the past.

The Knicks enter this season with Anthony signed to a new five-year deal, Chandler and Felton traded to Dallas, Smith fully healthy, Derek Fisher taking over as coach and Phil Jackson installed as the new president. Sheridan believes he has a scheme to get Kevin Durant in 2016.

With that in mind, here are five questions the Knicks must answer if there’s going to be postseason basketball at Madison Square Garden:

1. Will Carmelo Anthony be a good fit in the Triangle offense?

Here’s a brief preview of what the Triangle offense ideally looks like:

Anthony has thrived his whole career primarily as an isolation player on the wing surrounded by shooters to spread the floor, giving him space to operate.

Now? Jackson and Fisher don’t want the ball sticking to Anthony’s hands and want purposeful cutting and ball movement on offense.

The Triangle allows a key middle ground for Anthony, according to one NBA scout.

“Melo will have a ton of isolation post-ups because one of the basic Triangle options is the wing swings the ball to the top of the key, then down screens and seals,” the scout told SheridanHoops. “The offense is designed so the ball won’t stick in his hands at the start of the possession. Those isolations will only come after multiple passes. It would be hard for his assists not to go up this year.”

New York had an 18-9 record when Anthony had four or more assists in a game last season.

The question is whether Anthony is willing to buy into the concept and trust his supporting cast on a consistent basis.

If Anthony wants to remove the tag of an “underrated superstar” – as he recently told ESPN – he must be willing to modify his game within the Triangle for the betterment of the team and more wins.

2. What can we expect from Derek Fisher?

Fisher was the ultimate role player on five championship teams with the Lakers and a veteran leader known for his clutch shooting and hustle.

Expect Fisher to hold all his players accountable, from Anthony to the 15^th man on the bench.

Superstars such as Kobe Bryant and Durant have raved about Fisher.

Bryant has called Fisher his “favorite teammate.”

Durant reportedly offered Anthony a strong endorsement for Fisher when the two worked out together in July.

Part of Fisher’s championship DNA was his ability to be a stabilizing force that held the locker room together.

Jackson will guide Fisher in the teaching the Triangle. However, Fisher has vowed to be his own man on the sidelines.

Fisher has already spent time at training camp implementing his defensive philosophy of forcing opponents to the sidelines rather than the middle of the floor. The team is attempting to move away from help defense in the process. Fisher has also stated he hopes to have a consistent starting lineup as opposed to rotating based on matchups.

3. What other moves does Phil Jackson have up his sleeve?

Jackson put his initial imprint on the Knicks by dealing Chandler and Felton for Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Shane Larkin, two 2014 second-round draft picks (Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo) and Wayne Ellington (released).

“Calderon is a much better fit than Felton in the Triangle offense,” an NBA scout told SheridanHoops. “He’s great for the floor spacing and can catch and shoot.”

After making his initial moves, Jackson will continue building a championship roster around Anthony.

With Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani in the final year of their contracts, expect both players to be shopped – but only as cap clearing pieces in return for a star from a rebuilding team.

Hint: The Boston Celtics are rebuilding and need to make a decision on Rajon Rondo, who is coincidentally a free agent target for the Knicks this upcoming summer. The cap space that the expiring contracts of Bargnani and Stoudemire will provide could allow for the signing of Rondo next summer. If the Knicks can lock Rondo up now in a trade before he hits the open market, and without giving away quality assets, it’s a move they’d surely consider.

The Knicks also have a logjam at shooting guard with Smith, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Iman Shumpert.

Smith isn’t going anywhere since a vast majority of the league finds him undisciplined.

Hardaway Jr. is the most desirable young asset the Knicks have. In the recent past, players such as Landry Fields and Shumpert have taken steps back in development after promising rookie years. The Knicks could be willing to sell high on Hardaway Jr. for a lottery pick or as part of a package for a proven star. It’s hard to see both him and Shumpert remaining with the team past the trade deadline.

4. Will J.R. Smith return to his Sixth Man of the Year form?

Smith previously won the award while motivated during a contract year.

Bank on Smith cleaning up his act and showing more restraint and discipline under Fisher this season. Woodson and Smith had a father and son type of relationship. With Fisher in charge, there won’t be any favoritism – especially with a capable young talent in Hardaway Jr. battling for more minutes.

Toward the end of last season, Smith showed more consistency with his shot and attacked the basket more – possibly a sign he felt fully comfortable for the first time after knee surgery.

For the Knicks to succeed they need Smith to return to his Sixth Man of the Year form. Expect Fisher to place him on the wing behind the arc and in the corner – two of his most efficient spots on the floor – in the Triangle.

5. What drama will unfold in New York?

Trade rumors for Rajon Rondo will swirl and rumblings of the Knicks joining the Kevin Durant sweepstakes in 2016 will persist.

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Furthermore, it wouldn’t be a typical season if owner James Dolan didn’t find his way into the headlines – despite claiming to be more hands-off than ever with Jackson in charge of full basketball decisions.