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New York Knicks 2017-18 season primer: Can Kristaps Porzingis save NY?

By Jonathan Macri

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks looks on against the Washington Wizards at Verizon Center on November 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 12: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks falls into the crowd as he goes after a ball in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 12: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks falls into the crowd as he goes after a ball in the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on April 12, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

How The Season Will End?

Poorly.

What’s that? I have 299 words to go. Oh…ok. Well, uh…

There’s a few ways that a team can lose 50 games. 

They could be last year’s Knicks, who ended the season with what seemed like an infrastructure that was crumbling from within. 

Or they could be last year’s Sixers who, even before landing the third pick in the draft, felt as good about themselves as almost any team in the league. 

The Knicks will be bad this year. And the season will likely end with another loss total that begins with a five. 

Which is fine. If a few things happen:

  • Krisaps Porzingis declares in no uncertain terms that any bad blood he used to harbor against the organization is gone, and he has no plans to look anywhere else, ever. Like, he has to wear a blindfold when he’s not playing. And maybe even when he is.
  • The Knicks don’t take back any bad long term money when they eventually deal Anthony.
  • Ntilkina gets in guys’ shorts on defense and shows a legitimate NBA three point stroke. That’s all they need him to do.
  • Hardaway Jr. takes all the noise personally and works twice as hard on D as he does finding his own shot.
  • Hernangomez becomes Jokic-light and allows the offense to flow through him when KP is off the floor.
  • Ron Baker crosses the street whenever he walks past a barber.

In a perfect world, all of the above takes place and they still luck into the pick that brings them Kristaps’ spiritual brother, Luca Doncic, who Knicks fans should already be salivating over.

Must Read: NBA: Ranking the top 10 small forwards entering 2017-18

If that happens, the season is a success. Either that, or this guy retires.

(don’t forget to follow me @JCMacriNBA)

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