(post-preseason edition)

The New York Knicks are ready to tip-off the regular season. Will Donnie Walsh & Mike D'Antoni restore pride to the hardwood at Madison Square Garden? The Garden Grasp staff weighs in on the keys to success.

Positive Signs

New head coach Mike D'Antoni inherited a team of veterans unaccustomed to winning at The Garden and struggling to find a positive identity. In 7 preseason games, D'Antoni's Knicks have shown they are quickly becoming the '08 version of the Bomb Squad. D'Antoni's offense moves the team away from relying on predictable post-up and isolation sets to a perimeter attack predicated on crisp ball movement and creating mismatches.

With a roster loaded with wing players, this team may lead the league in 3-point attempts. Jamal Crawford's 30-point, 7-assist explosion just before the home opener showed last season's leading scorer is ready to go. Reserve guard Nate Robinson flourished in preseason, leading the team in scoring at 18.7ppg. Starting point guard, Chris Duhon led the team in assists and proved he can knock down the three-ball when open. Starting power forward Zach Randolph looks primed for another 20-10 season and starting center David Lee has extended his range out to 17 feet. Second-year phenom Wilson Chandler appears to take the quantum leap to stardom.

Issues To Watch Out For

Through 7 preseason games, D'Antoni's team gave up an average of 106.2 point per game. Considering Walsh's decision to release a player (Patrick Ewing, Jr.) who actually cared about getting stops, the Knicks will be forced to rely on shooting a high percentage, because their defense won't fuel their offense. If this team continues to give up more than 105 points a night, they will find themselves on the losing end of a number of shootouts.

Starting small forward Quentin Richardson has struggled to regain command of his stroke since leaving Saratoga. D'Antoni is committed to Richardson based on the prior history but, if he can't make shots consistently, those deep rebounds will lead to fast break points for the opposition. With 6 guards on the roster, Richardson will have to play swingman mostly as opposed to sharing time with Crawford at shooting guard.

Lottery selection Danilo Gallinari is still nursing a back injury and there is no timetable that suggests he will see game action in the immediate future. Walsh continues to speak in glowing terms about Gallinari, but I question whether the 20 year-old has more potential than drive. After watching Nets first-round pick Brook Lopez face off against the Knicks twice and tracking the progress Eric Gordon & Jerryd Bayless, Walsh maybe privately second-guessing his decision. If not, Gallinari needs to reward Walsh's commitment by getting on the court ASAP.

X-Factor

Mike D'Antoni has a great deal riding on Chris Duhon. If Duhon excels as a starter, the Knicks will have a legitimate shot at making a run for the 8th seed. If he falters, this team may revert back to their bad habits of playing individually and not collectively. During the preseason, Duhon lead the team in assists (34) and turnovers (22). He finished the preseason averaging 9.5 ppg, 4.8 asp, 1.1 spg in 30.5 minutes per contest. D'Antoni has made it clear that this is Duhon's team, but Walsh's decision to keep Stephon Marbury, Mardy Collins & Anthony Roberson is a telling sign. Duhon will never be Steve Nash, but if he can mirror Andre Miller or Mike Bibby as a starter, he's worth the 2 year investment.

Expert Predictions

Pat Infante, Publisher/Webmaster

Record: 35-47

Player to watch: Wilson Chandler

Mike Silva, Radio Show Host

Record: 35-47

Player to watch: David Lee

Greg Hutchins, Senior Columnist

Record: 38-44

Player to watch: Jamal Crawford

Questions or comments may be e-mailed to gardengrasp@gmail.com