It was a bittersweet year for the New York Knicks. Carmelo Anthony and Co. advanced to the second round of the postseason for the first time since 2000, but there the Knicks fell flat against the Indiana Pacers, losing in six games.
With a tricky salary cap situation this offseason, the Knicks made a risky trade for enigmatic Toronto Raptors forward Andrea Bargnani, sacrificing sharpshooter Steve Novak and several draft picks. New York also re-signed J.R. Smith for three years and picked up Los Angeles Lakers castoff Metta World Peace. Before last week's ESPYs, head coach Mike Woodson discussed the team's moves and its upcoming challenges.
ThePostGame: What are you looking forward to about this upcoming season? You made some new additions – Metta World Peace, Andrea Bargnani …
MIKE WOODSON: Well we’ve added some nice pieces through free agency. And the key to a great season is that you’ve got to stay healthy, and you’ve got to play the games. Everybody has gotten better in the East – Brooklyn particularly with the moves they’ve made – but again, only time will tell.
TPG: A lot of teams, like the Nets as you mentioned, have made improvements this offseason. What do you think the Knicks have to do to adjust to be competitive with those teams?
WOODSON: Again, we’ve made some changes with our ballclub, and the East is better. Only time will tell, and we’ve got to get to the games and let the games play out and see what happens.
TPG: What is your most memorable moment in sports?
WOODSON: Winning the NBA title in Detroit with the Pistons [in 2004 as an assistant coach]. That’s one of my most memorable moments.
