The Knicks only added Darko Milicic and first round draft picks Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas for this season so it will be up to head coach Mike D’Antoni to improve the Knicks. He was only 32-50 (39%) in his first season with the Knicks. But, he has a career record of 299-222 (57.4%) as a head coach in the NBA. He also has a post season record of 26-25 (51%) in his career. The Knicks hope he can add some wins to his playoff record and it is possible that they could snag the #7 or #8 slot in the playoffs if everything goes well.

26-year old David Lee signed a 1-year deal to return to the Knicks and he will likely start at center for them. He played in 81 games for the Knicks last season and he averaged 34.9 minutes, 16.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. With Lee in a free agent walk year he could really go off for the Knicks this season and that is exactly what the team is hoping for. 24-year old Darko Milicic will likely back up Lee this season. He played in 61 games for the Grizzlies last season and he averaged 17.0 minutes, 5.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Milicic should fit into the Knicks’ running offense so he should help them out this season and he could also earn some minutes off the bench at power forward. 24-year old Eddy Curry will likely also get some backup minutes in the pivot for the Knicks. He played in only 3 games for the Knicks last season and he averaged 4.0 minutes, 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. last year.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE CENTERS IN 2009-2010: A

29-year old Al Harrington fit right in with Knicks’ new playing style. He will start at power forward again this season for the Knicks. He played in 73 games for the Warriors & Knicks last season and he averaged 34.9 minutes, 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He is also a good long range shooter for his size as he nailed 36.4% of his three point attempts last season. He should have another solid year for the Knicks. 22-year old Jordan Hill was the #8 pick of the first round of the NBA Draft last June and the Knicks will give him a chance to back up Harrington this year as he fits the playing style better than Jared Jeffries. Jeffries played in 56 games for the Knicks last season and he averaged 23.4 minutes, 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE POWER FORWARDS IN 2009-2010: B

22-year old Wilson Chandler really stepped up last season for the Knicks earning him a starting job. He played in all 82 games for the Knicks last season and he averaged 33.4 minutes, 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Chandler will likely step his game up some more this season as he seems to be a perfect fit in Mike D’Antoni’s offense. 21-year old Danilo Gallinari will be Chandler’s back up this season for the Knicks. He played in 28 games for the Knicks last season and he averaged 14.7 minutes, 6.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Jared Jeffries could also get some playing time at small forward this season even though he doesn’t seem to fit in the Knicks new playing style.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SMALL FORWARDS IN 2009-2010: B-

30-year old Larry Hughes and 25-year old Nate Robinson will likely share the shooting guard position this year for the Knicks. Hughes will likely be the starter for the Knicks. He played in 55 games for the Bulls+Knicks last season and he averaged 26.9 minutes, 11.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Hughes is a good defensive player but he doesn’t have much of a jump shot which is a problem when you are playing shooting guard. Nate Robinson played in 74 games for the Knicks last year and he averaged 29.9 minutes, 17.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is at a height disadvantage against most shooting guards but he’s lightning quick and that sometimes makes up for it. 23-year old Toney Douglas was a first round pick out of Florida State but he won’t likely get much playing time as a rookie unless Hughes or Robinson gets injured or traded. 23-year old Joe Crawford is #4 on the depth chart for the Knicks at shooting guard. He played in 2 games for the Knicks last year and he averaged 11.5 minutes, 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Crawford will be sitting on the end of the bench if he makes the Knicks.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE SHOOTING GUARDS IN 2009-2010: C