New York Knicks: Reshaping the future by learning from the past
By Eric Snyder
No time for a rough draft
The importance of the coming NBA Draft for the New York Knicks cannot be overstated. To truly rebuild, this team needs multiple first round picks over the next two drafts.
Even if Phil can’t convince Carmelo Anthony to accept a trade, and even if he only has one first round pick, this draft is a crucial moment in Knicks history.
In 1985, the Knicks were going in the wrong direction with no star players and no real hope for the future. Consequently, they earned the first pick in the draft. The first pick in the draft is a curse in many ways because of the potential for disaster.
Joe Kleine, Keith Lee and Alfredick Hughes were all high first round picks in the 1985 NBA Draft and nobody knows who they are. Luckily for the Knicks, they decided to draft Patrick Ewing instead.
Obviously, Ewing had to have some help and the Knicks found it in the years following via that draft. Kenny “Sky” Walker, Mark Jackson and Greg Anthony were all draft picks who made an on-court difference for the Knicks and Ewing.
The lesson here is that draft picks and the scouting beforehand is as important as anything in basketball. Similarly, developing young players and discovering hidden talent allowed the Knicks to grow into a perennial championship contender.