The New York Knicks kick off the 2015-16 season in hopes of better results than last year. The team struggled heavily putting together one of the worst seasons in franchise history. After a rather disappointing free agency and draft run, the Knicks have new pieces to the roster they hope can get them out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference as they prepare to face the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Knicks are already out a player as they enter their season opener. According to ESPN.com, Derek Fisher announced that Arron Afflalo would not be active for the first game of the season. The shooting guard signed a two-year contract in the offseason and is expected to be Carmelo Anthony's right-hand man this season. However, a hamstring injury is going to keep him sidelined for the start of the year which is not what the Knicks want. In his place, Sasha Vujacic will get the starting nod, another player that was signed in the offseason.
Rookie Kristaps Porzingis will be getting the start in Game 1 for the Knicks. When he was first selected, Knicks fans were quick to boo his selection. However, the power forward has been winning over fans and teammates since his arrival in the Big Apple. The power forward is getting the starting nod over Derrick Williams who signed in the offseason as well. He will pair with Robin Lopez who was added in the offseason and Jose Calderon who is back following an injury-riddled debut with the Knicks. The Knicks also have players like Kyle O'Quinn, Kevin Seraphin and Jerian Grant likely to get a lot of playing time as they were all offseason additions.
The Knicks lineup does not have a lot of experience playing together as they were never all healthy to start the season. Fisher admitted this might be a rebuilding year for the team, but that does not mean the expectations are any smaller for the franchise.
The Bucks big offseason get was Greg Monroe, a player the Knicks wanted as well. The center averaged 15.9 points and 10.2 rebounds last year with the Detroit Pistons. Michael Carter-Williams also signed in the offseason along with emerging talent Khris Middleton. Both players are expected to carry the Bucks into an improved season from last year.
