The New York Knicks are another team looking to see how far they can go this season, and like most teams on the rebound, the last thing they need right now is another man down.
Robin Lopez, a player the team acquired in the offseason, has been bothered by an injury, but the 27-year-old seven footer seems to be undaunted by it, saying the will be ready by Wednesday when the Knicks formally open their 2015–16 National Basketball Association (NBA) campaign against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lopez was one of the key additions to the roster, agreeing to sign up a $54 million deal spread over four years.
His entry to the Knicks fold is seen more to toughen up the defense and help in the rebounding of the ballclub plus all the other intangibles. Scoring could be a bonus, although Carmelo Anthony is expected to spearhead that department.
This should be welcome development for team president Phil Jackson and head coach Derek Fisher who have to make the necessary adjustments due to injuries to other players.
The team already has to deal without another new recruit, Arron Afflalo, after the shooting guard succumbed to a hamstring injury in the team's preseason finale against the Boston Celtics.
The Knicks are not among the favorites this season, meaning there no high expectations from them despite the presence of Carmelo Anthony. Aside from him, there is also rookie Kristaps Porzingis who will be out to prove that the Knicks did not go wrong when they picked him in the last NBA Draft.
As far as Anthony is concerned, staying healthy is equally crucial. The high scoring forward has been slowed down by injuries from the previous seasons, seeing him mostly in the sidelines which adds a bit more to the Knicks' woes.
Regardless, Knick fans will still maintain that level of optimism for their ball club and hope for the best. The Knicks have nothing to lose so many will be expecting them to take it as a challenge and hopefully, at least end the season fairly and, maybe, even reach the playoffs.
