NBA Betting Preview: Knicks must snap up Iverson now, LeBron later

Basketball / Nick Shiambouros / 18 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

"This time next year New York could be sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference with LeBron at the controls."

The New York Knicks haven't been the same since Patrick Ewing left almost a decade ago. However, Nick Shiambouros believes that the short-term signing of a certain veteran could set them on the road to recovery. Long term, can they lure LeBron?

The New York Knicks have had a disastrous start to the season and are 1-9 for the year. That sole victory was on opening night against New Orleans 117-111.This is the worst start in franchise history for this famous team.

The Knicks have been in decline since the departure of the great Patrick Ewing over nine years ago but events over the last few seasons have dominated the headlines. Point guard Stephon Marbury was locked in a bitter dispute with head coach Mike D'Antoni which resulted in him sitting on the bench and collecting his $21.9m salary. This fiasco went on for most of last year until Marbury was traded to Boston in March.

There have also been some ugly events behind the scenes in New York as former president Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden were forced to pay $11.7 in damages to a former executive on sexual harassment charges in 2007.
　
I could write a book on what has happened in New York (Do it! - Ed) over the last few years as they are one of the most talked about franchises in sport.

The current rotation has some quality players like Nate Robinson and center David Lee but injuries have contributed to this dismal start. Robinson is one of the most exciting guards in the league but he is out with an ankle injury.

A player for the future has to be rookie Jordan Hill who is an exciting prospect. This forward is slowly playing more minutes and his talent is evident. Coach D'Antoni should consider starting this young man as I believe he is a star in the making.

D'Antoni is currently considering signing Allen Iverson from Memphis and I think he should hurry up and get him on board. Iverson is on the market again after the Grizzlies released him on Tuesday and, given the current situation in New York, the veteran is a perfect fit for the Knicks. He could help propel them out of their predicament.
　
The Knicks have a brutal schedule over the next 10 games and have to face Los Angeles, Boston and Orlando which will not be easy to say the least.

New York have a three game road trip on the west coast next week and they could represent some value with the ever growing handicap in their favour. The Knicks play the Sacramento Kings on the 27th November and they match up well, against this high octane team. The Kings are in rebuilding mode at present and are up against it the Western Conference.
　
New York travel to Denver on Friday the 29th November in the final game of their three game trip. The Nuggets will be heavily favoured in this game by close to double digits but they are a team that has had difficulty in putting a winning run together.

The Knicks should be at full strength for this road trip and will not be facing the hostile and very vocal home crowd of Madison Square Garden.

There could be some light at the end of the tunnel for New York at the end of the season as the most valuable athlete in the world becomes a free agent. I am of course talking about the great LeBron James who will be on the market next year. There is no secret that the Knicks will move heaven and earth to sign him but it will not be easy. LeBron desperately wants to win a championship so he will not join a team in a complete shambles. The Knicks have until the end of the season to get their house in order if they are to lure LeBron James.

Who knows this time next year New York could be sitting at the top of the Eastern Conference with LeBron at the controls. Stranger things have happened that's for sure.

Recommended wagers:

Back New York with advertised handicap 27th November versus Sacramento
Back New York with advertised handicap 29th November versus Denver