We can all find negatives about the Knicks 2010-2011 season but for the most part it was a positive outcome. They finished with their first winning season in ten years and first playoff birth since the 2003-2004 season, but they road to the post-season started way back in November of 2007.The newly appointed general manager of the Knicks Donnie Walsh decided to shed salary in hopes of acquiring Lebron James and several other A-List free-agents in the summer of 2010. The first set of key players to go was Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph.
The trades of these two great talents lead to the shuffling of continuous expiring contract players none of which were the caliber of talents of Zach or JC. July of 2010 came and the Knicks were able to retain the services of one of the marquee free-agents in Amare Stoudemire and second tier point guard free agent in Raymond Felton. The 2010-2011 season wasn't even one quarter done before the Carmelo Anthony trade sweepstakes or Melo-Drama would rear its ugly head and the roster would suddenly dramatically change once again.
The Knicks would eventually depart with three starting players and a few potential players for the acquisition of one Carmelo Anthony. If you were either for or against the departure of Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallanari, and Wilson Chandler we all had grown a bond with these young core of players. Now that the Knicks have been eliminated in a sweeping fashion most fans are already looking into next season roster changes. But we must not forget about the players that made it possible for us to even enjoy post season play this season. So here' a look into the playoff stats of the relevant departed of our beloved Knicks.
*Playoff Statistics are current as of 4/28/2011
Memphis Grizzlies Zach Randolph: *19.6 ppg and *8.8 rebounds. With the injury of the Grizzlies leading scorer Zach has taken on the role becoming the new floor leader and it the move has worked out tremendously. His play throughout the season and the victory of the organizations first playoff win earned him a $71 Million four-year extension. The Grizzlies are currently leading the NBA's regular season best Spur's 3-2 and are looking to close out the one-seed at home tomorrow night on there home court.
Atlanta Hawks Jamal Crawford: *20.8ppg and shooting at *44% from the field. JC has found a home in Atlanta with the Hawks, he is one few players to lead the team in scoring from the sixth man spot. The highest paid player on the Hawks is Joe Johnson but when the game is on the line the ball is definitely in the hands of Jamal Crawford.
Gone but not forgotten...
