Al Harrington Exploding in NY

 

Unless you’re a die-hard Knicks fan, it’s hard to follow what the Knicks have done in the past couple of seasons. Beside that though, the franchise is finally seeing some light heading into this season. Newly acquired coach, Mike D’Antoni has help guide the team to a 11-14 record, while it’s not too impressive, the team has already half the wins they totaled last season. Thankfully, the ever-glowing cancer of Stephon Marbury is gone for the most part (Steph purchased a ticket to sit baseline during the Knicks-Lakers game.) Team president, Donnie Walsh has told Marbury to stay away from team practices and games until they can work a buyout of his contract with the Knicks. The talent has also been growing from New York on many sides, players like Wilson Chandler, Derek Lee, Nate Robinson are getting their chance to blossom for the franchise. While things are looking up, the franchise is also bracing themselves for a chance to bring LeBron James to New York in 2010 via Free Agency. 

With many headlines surrounding the team, Donnie Walsh was never shy to continue reshaping the franchise with a couple of trades. Jamal Crawford, the loose cannon himself, was shipped away along with the money-eating 20-10 machine, Zach Randolph. The Knicks received Tim Thomas, Cuttino Mobley (retired due to heart problems) and most notably, a disgruntled Al Harrington. 

Harrington has taken a new method into improvising his game with his new team. Averaging 24.3 points and 7.6 rebounds as a Knick, the highest he’s ever averaged in his 10 year career. The 6′9” forward, gladly left the struggling Warriors to help the Knicks in their post season hopes and has been erupting with nine out of twelve games where he’s put up at least 20 points and 6 rebounds. His return to the Golden State was stunning, Harrington hung 36 points along with 12 rebounds to help the Knicks defeat his former team. His best night so far in his young career with New York was against the Nets, where he led the team to a win with 39 points and 13 rebounds. He’s currently the team’s starting power forward and has become no stranger to expressing D’Antoni’s loose offense in the scoring department.

The trades have shook the team substantially though, going 4-8 since they took place. On the brighter side, the Knicks are beginning to feel more comfortable under D’Antoni’s gameplan and the team is beginning to have a more competitive push. Last night’s 2-point-loss to the (21-3) Lakers helped prove the effort. 

 

 

Dated: December 17th, 2008