(Sports Network) - There's good news and bad news for the New York Knickerbockers heading into the 2009-2010 season.

The good news is that the team is one of the favorites to sign LeBron James when his contract is up. The bad news is that his contract isn't up until the end of the season.

So patience will be a virtue Knicks fans will have to display this season en route to potentially acquiring one of the best players in the world come July 1, 2010. "King James" has not been shy about his desire to play in a bigger market once his Cleveland deal expires, and what bigger market is there than New York?

The NBA's most valuable franchise would be a perfect fit for last season's most valuable player and his desire to rule the basketball world. James could further cement his status as one of the best players ever by returning one of the worst teams in the NBA to greatness.

The Knicks will have only six players under contract when the free agency period begins July 1. With a ton of cap space cleared, and the Knicks willing to do anything to right the ship that Isiah Thomas wronged, expect to see some different faces in the Garden next season. Perhaps faces you might one day see in Springfield, MA, in the Hall of Fame.

As for this present, the 2009-2010 season might not be one for the ages for the Knicks. Don't expect them to bring home an NBA title, but you can set your watch to about 36-39 wins from the team this year. Although, in the less- than-stellar Eastern Conference, that could be enough to snap their eight- season playoff drought.

Make no mistake about it though, the 2009-2010 season is a rebounding year for the Knicks.

Believe it or not, the Knicks were relatively competitive last season. The club had many leads after three quarters but, more often than not, blew it in the final frame.

For instance, in a late February game the Knicks were leading the Heat in Miami by 15 points in the fourth quarter. The Orange and Blue looked as though they were going to pull off a major upset, however, Danilo Gallinari elbowed Dwyane Wade in the face about midway through the final frame. That set in motion what could only be described as the story of the Knicks' season, as Wade finished with 46 points and the Heat pulled off a mind-boggling 120-115 victory.

The same thing happened in mid-March during a game in Cleveland. The team was playing with the Cavs and even led in the fourth, but then imploded and wound up losing by five.

In other words: if NBA games consisted of only three quarters, the Knicks would most likely be gearing up to defend their title.

2008-09 Results: 32-50, last in Atlantic. Did not qualify for the playoffs.

ADDITIONS: F/C Darko Milicic; G Toney Douglas; F Jordan Hill; G Gabe Pruitt

SUBTRACTIONS: F Chris Wilcox, G/F Quentin Richardson

PROJECTED STARTING FIVE:

PG- Chris Duhon SG- Wilson Chandler SF- Danilo Gallinari PF- Al Harrington C- David Lee

KEY RESERVES: G Nate Robinson, C Eddy Curry, F Larry Hughes, F/C Darko Milicic

FRONTCOURT: David Lee led the league in double-doubles last season and is one of the league's top rebounders.

Al Harrington led the team in scoring last season and will likely do the same again but is one of the least impressive "go to guys" in the business. Meanwhile, Gallinari may be the Knicks' most talented player but has just 28 games of NBA experience.

BACKCOURT: Chris Duhon is just an average guard. He's not setting the league on fire this year and he could possibly lose his job to Nate Robinson if he falters. Wilson Chandler is also not the answer to the Knicks' problems although he could turn into a solid perimeter defender.

The bottom line is the Knicks do not have a big-name, go-to guy that commands double teams and can win games by himself. Before the team can start thinking about playoffs and championships, they need a player marquee player that strikes fear into opponents' hearts, warrant's double teams and a franchise being built around him. Lee is great, Harrington too; but neither one of them (or any other player on the roster) is capable of putting the kibosh on the 36 years of suffering Garden-dwellers have been enduring.

BENCH: With Nate Robinson not in the starting lineup, it gives the Knicks a spark coming off the bench. That being said, if your team's spark is 5-foot-9 and weighs 180 pounds you probably shouldn't be printing Finals tickets just yet. "Krypto-Nate" is fun to watch, no question, but there's no way he's got what it takes to be a go-to guy.

Hughes can score when he heats up but often takes terrible shots.

Up front, the Knicks were hoping for a bounce back year from center Eddy Curry but he already hurt himself on the first day of camp and counting on him would be folly. Meanwhile, Milicic brings skills to New York but has always been an underachiever and lacks the toughness to succeed in the NBA,

COACHING: Mike D'Antoni has breathed life into Madison Square Garden since he signed a four-year deal prior to last season. He may have finished 18 games under .500 in his first season in the Big Apple but the players seem to respond to him, he clearly knows his stuff and he has made Knicks basketball exciting again. Although, one has to wonder if his SSOL (seven seconds or less) offensive strategy will ever win a title. Plus, the defense leaves A LOT to be desired.

OUTLOOK: It's tough to say that NY will be in the hunt for a playoff spot when April comes around, but this season is all about patience for the Knicks. It's all about patience -- patience and knowing that they have a significant chance of acquiring one of the best players on the planet in the offseason. With the risk of sounding cliche: it's always darkest before the dawn, and it's been about as close to pitch black as you can get in Madison Square Garden for the past eight years.

Much like last season, the Knicks will be a fun team to watch with their run- and-gun offensive style. Nate Robinson's exciting dunks and electrifying play should make for some entertaining basketball. On the other side of the court, New York's defense will also be fun to watch -- if you like agita and pulling your hair out.



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