Let's Get Optimistic

That's right. Let's get downright loopy.

While most of us remain dazed and confused by the bottomless void this summer has produced for the Knicks, let's dream the impossible dream before the season opens and stamps out any embers of hope we may have.

Marvel comics used to produce a series called, What If?

Let's borrow the concept and see what a dream season might look like.

Eddie Curry has long intrigued fans because of his sheer size and background as a gymnast. The perennial disappointment of watching him demonstarte apathy and indifference has long driven us all to just want him out of here.

But what if, Eddie Curry has an epiphany and suddenly becomes a low post presence? Even if he simply plays up to his best season performances, this would be a major improvement at the center position. In a realistic dream scenario Curry would become a scoring center, not much D and not many rebounds but a body to be contended with down low, five hard fouls.

That brings us to Milicic. Darko was drafted high for potential that came and went. He will never be a superstar. But in a dream season, could Darko become a Mutumbo-like presence who can tag-team with Curry on a situational basis? In other words can Darko bring rebounds, blocked shots, passing and just a little offense to the center position?

In a dream season he can and does.

Jordan Hill. You can't teach size. But in a D'Antoni playbook it may be Hill's athleticism combined with size that is the secret sauce to exhausting the other team's front-court. In a dream season, Curry would be the physical presence, Darko the defender, and Hill the pestering Rodman-like gnat who would be used against teams already tired by schedule or injury, a guy would draws fouls and dismantles the opposing team's starting front-court.

In a dream season, D'Antoni acquires some of the satistical smarts of JVG and wins not only with a system but with an attention to the details of how the opposing team fails. Are they tired, who's hurt, who's hot or cold - push the buttons.

At PG, Duhon will need to play in top form all season. He'll have to dry out and party a lot less often for that to happen. But it could. In a dream season, he is mentioned as a most improved player - let's not assume an elite PG but a steady, dependable one.

Nate Robinson simply needs to continue being N8 without the self-destructive antics that lose games, cast doubt on his maturity, or lose games.

Toney by virtue of Walsh's inaction may already be a backup PG. In a dream season, he realizes his value is in defense and is utilized to hold leads or shut-down opposing team's scoring runs. In a dream season he will have to be a reliable backup PG, no more no less.

The glut at the PF position will settle itself into David Lee starting and providing the bulk of minutes backed by Jeffries and Chandler. In a dream season Lee's offense continues it's pattern but david learns to be a effective defender. Chandler becomes an energy booster off the bench and Jeffries provides lock-down defense as needed.

At SF, Al Harrington finally proves he is a consistent day-to-day starter, Gallinari becomes an up-and-coming start and Chandler backs them both with continued growth.

At SG, Larry Hughes has a great year both as a scorer, passer, and defender. Situationally, he sits for Chandler who plays against the league's bigger guards.

All that speculation leads to the key question... How many wins does that team produce? Vote in our poll on the left.