Is Stephon Marbury the root of all evil? (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

The Knicks have been a joke for most of this decade. In fact, it almost became a sin to even cheer for the Knicks as fans let the boos ring out in one of the most famous arenas in the world, Madison Square Garden.

In the end of the 2007-2008 season the Knicks were only able to amass 23 wins, had plenty of team chemistry flaws, and a president who was a coach. Or maybe it was a coach who was a president. The inability to define the role of Isiah Thomas was enough.

Nevertheless, the Knicks began the 2008-2009 season with more hope. They had management shake-ups, coaching changes, and a little bit more swagger. We will pretend to overlook that the Knicks could have had that first overall pick in this talent-rich draft if Isiah didn’t trade away its rights several years ago for Eddy Curry. Eddy Curry hasn’t even stepped onto the court this season to play a single minute of Knicks basketball. Who knows what would've/could've been?

But the future looks promising. At least that is what is expected.

In April the Knicks shook up management and brought in Donnie Walsh from the Indiana Pacers to replace Isiah Thomas as president of basketball operations. The Pacers were once, and still might be, an arch-enemy to the Knicks from their days of battling the Knicks for Eastern Conference supremacy behind the Chicago Bulls. Walsh’s first order of business was to find a coach. And he found the best out there, Mike D’Antoni.

D’Antoni was signed to a four-year deal in May to help turn the Knicks around. His fast-paced, “run run run” offense complemented by the youth of the Knicks has been a good fit. As we approach the end of the year, the Knicks already have 11 victories and are at that midway point to surpassing last season’s totals.

But don’t think that the road to December has been easy. The Knicks have had many issues to deal with both on and off the court.

Issue 1: Isiah Thomas
Now I’m not saying Thomas did it because he was depressed we're succeeding without him, but the man did try to take his life only a handful of games into the season. At least, that is what we’re told. He says it was his daughter, police say it was someone with his profile. This escapade has marked the end of an era to the Thomas days in New York. A most dark and haunted one, too. Unfortunately this gets the nod as the low point for the Knicks this year. Lesson learned: Don’t take an abundance of sleeping pills.

Issue 2: Stephon Marbury
This is more than just an issue. This is almost like a cancer that has no cure. The team has suspended him with no pay. They have dismissed him from attending practices or being with the team. Walsh has tried to find a way to make a trade. So what is the result of all this? Courtside seats at the Lakers game in Los Angeles. Very professional move, Steph. He is not making himself appear professional by pulling a stunt like that, and it seems that his chances of moving are becoming slim. Not to forget that his teammates already despise him and he has refused to play. In the game of Cowboys and Indians, Stephon Marbury is a dinosaur. He is already extinct and forgotten by most.

Issue 3: Trading Places
The Knicks have successfully moved under the salary cap this season to prepare for big things in the future. They had moved their top two scorers in Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford to the Clippers and the Warriors, respectively. They in return received Al Harrington, Tim Thomas, and Cuttino Mobley (who later retired due a heart condition) because of their expiring contracts in a couple of years. Walsh anticipates making big moves in 2010 when the free agency market is filled with gold and the right pieces to a championship. Like a Lebron James, a former D’Antoni favorite Amare Stoudamire, a former NBA champion Dwyane Wade, etc. The list goes on, and the Knicks have money.

The team had been pretty strong out of the gates before the trades, but we must ask ourselves the question now: Is winning now more important or is the future? The team has struggled a bit of late, but it’s all a part of the growing process.

Issue 4: Chris Duhon
Now, Chris Duhon is actually not an issue. At least not any more in the eyes of the fans. Entering the season many, like myself, questioned if Duhon was ready and capable of taking his game to the next level. Especially in the kind of offense that D’Antoni runs where so much of the pressure lies on the shoulders of the team’s point guard.

He is leading the league in minutes per game (40 per contest), fourth in the league in assists per game (8.6), in the top 15 for assists-to-turnover ratio (2.92) and in the top 20 for free-throw percentage (88%). While doing all this, he has already put himself into Knicks history twice, now owning the records for most consecutive free throws hit at 44, and most assists in a game at 22. However, the issue will arise how durable he is at the end of the season if he is going to lead the league all year in minutes.

Issue 5: Injuries
The Knicks have been playing a seven-man roster way too often this season. Yes, D’Antoni has always been known to keeping a rotation of consistency.  But the Knicks have been plagued by injuries all season. Nate’s groin, Jared’s leg, Danilo’s back, Eddy’s knee, Stephon’s pride. Yeah, I said that was an injury. Either way, the Knicks have not had the opportunity to have their full cast of players all season, and as we head into next year hopefully this all changes and gives the team a chance to succeed and make a run to the playoffs.

The bottom line for the Knicks this year is learning to play at a high level, consistently. They need to learn who is the go-to guy down the stretch, who is going to be the leader, and how to win those close games in the final minutes. It has been a year full of ups and downs, but leaving the year on a high note leaves the team capable of finding greater success.

Enjoy the slideshow of all the moments from the year in review, and have a wonderful holiday season!