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Most NBA pundits are predicting that the Knicks will win just 35 games in this upcoming 2014/2015 NBA season. I believe that the Knicks will win 45 games (!) and secure at least the 5th seed in the playoffs.

New York Knicks in action

Why? Not just because of their front court which improved a lot, but also their guard positions. Phil Jackson did better than people realize. Hear more about Phil on this podcast episode



But I think that their revamped backcourt will surprise a lot of people. Let’s break it down:

Point Guard: Jose Calderon is a nice player, can shoot and pass, but defensively he lacks a lot.

Backup Point Guard: Jerian Grant is a baller! This man can shoot, is fast, can defend. Maybe not as much upside as some other fellow rookies, but at 22 years old I believe he will average 15 points per game and 8 assists.

Shooting Guard: Aron Aflalo is known as a strong defensive player with a very good jump shot. Sure, he had a down year, but considering that he is on a 1 year deal (2nd year player option), playing for a huge market in New York, he will definitely bounce back.

Backup Shooting Guard: Sasha Vujajic was brought in by Phil Jackson to teach the triangle and knock down 3-pointers. Though it’s easy to make fun of him (for his hairnet), he has been a productive shooting guard in Europe the past 5 years, and can still hit 40% from 3 point range.

Expect a big surprise year for the Knicks this year!

Article contributed by: Chris Penderbrook

Website: wedabestnbapodcast.com

Although most people will say that this is unlikely, due to the fact that Odom recently suffered a near death experience that landed him in critical condition in a hospital, I will say that it is possible. I talked about the story on this podcast episode:

Lamar Odom

Odom was described as a generational talent, a 6’10 lean and quick player who could bang down low with big men, and step out to run an offense, drain three’s, and make nifty passes.



It would be one thing if Odom’s game was based on speed or quickness. But Odom’s game centered around his sharp passes, smart court vision, hit the occasional jumper, grab some boards, and conduct simple pick and rolls.

Sure, he is 35 years old and getting up there and age, but the skills I described above are not skills that disappear from a 35 year old. Odom was apparently working to get back into playing shape this past summer. And despite this recent relapse, I bet that he will work his tail off to get back into playing shape.

The one concern is that Phil Jackson apparently brought Odom in for a workout with the Knicks and then cut him a week later. But I will speculate and say that was because Odom was not in shape then, and if you give him a few months, I think he could really get back into the swing of things.

And I’ve no doubt that when he’s ready, an NBA team will at least give him a tryout.

Article contributed by: Chris Penderbrook

Website: wedabestnbapodcast.com

In the 2014-2015 NBA season, there were some eye popping rebounding statistics among the league leaders. The rebounding champ was DeAndre Jordan, who pulled down 15 boards a game. We haven’t seen numbers like that since Dennis Rodman!

DeAndre Jordan

Next highest was Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons, who pulled in 13.5 boards a game. Though DeAndre averaged a full 1.5 more boards than Drummond, I believe their rankings will shift next year.



A big reason why DeAndre averaged 15 a game is because when Blake Griffin got injured, DeAndre was pulling down 20 a game, which boosted his stats by a mile. I expect Blake to be fully healthy for the Clippers this year, which means Jordan’s rebounding stats will go down a bit.

Andre Drummond, on the other hand, lost his frontcourt partner in Greg Monroe, who left for the Milwaukee Bucks this past summer on a big contract. Monroe’s replacements are two undersized guys who don’t rebound much in Ersan İlyasova and Stanley Johnson. I believe that this will leave all of the rebounds to Drummond, who could possibly top Jordan’s impressive rate of 15 per game last season, and will probably be the leading rebounder in the upcoming NBA season.

As for other contenders for the rebounding crown, expect DeMarcus Cousins, Paul Gasol, and Tyson Chandler to maintain their respective positions at third, fourth and fifth.

Article contributed by: Chris Penderbrook

Website: wedabestnbapodcast.com