Last summer the Knicks were 5-0 in summer league play and Nate Robinson won the MVP. This summer league did not treat the Knicks as kindly as they finished with a 2-3 record under assistant coach Phil Weber and a player they passed up in the draft won the MVP.

In the team’s three losses they lost by an average of 22 points to the Suns, Bobcats and Timberwolves. Second-year player Wilson Chandler shined in both of the Knicks victories leading the team with 26 points against the Cavs and 31 points vs. the Suns. The 21-year old led the team in points scored per game (16.2), rebounds (7.8), shot 47% from the field and 81% from the foul line. He seems to be poised to have a solid season in Head Coach Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo system. Overall, he finished 22^nd in points and 11^th in rebounds. Anthony Roberson, who impressed team management, was signed to a two-year deal. The former Florida Gator finished second on the team averaging 14.8 points per game. In the team’s final game vs. the Wolves he led the Knicks with 23 points and knocked down three from downtown. However, he shot just 39% from the field and dished out 0.8 assists per game. Roberson has unlimited range and quickness, but his passing distribution needs to improve if he wants to develop as a point guard.

Renaldo Balkman’s summer was also cut short due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the second game vs. the Spurs. Nate Robinson played in only two games, but was seen cheering from the stands and receiving frequent advice from D’Antoni. He shot just 2-16 in his limited action but had his jersey retired at halftime during the T-Wolves game for last year’s performance.

1^st round draft pick Danilo Gallinari played only one game due to a sore back. He scored 14 points in his debut with all of them coming in the second half. “Gallo” showed a deep shooting range, mental toughness and good ball handling ability. However, he had a difficult time defending the 285-pound Robert “Tractor” Traylor in the paint. Team brass was being cautious with the 19-year old Italian and an MRI revealed there was no further damage.

The player the Knicks passed on to get Gallinari, former Arizona guard, Jerryd Bayless, lit up the Vegas summer league averaging a league high 29.8 points per game. He slipped to Indiana at #11 on Draft Day when some scouts saw him going as high as #3 to Seattle. The Pacers then dealt him to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jarret Jack and Brandon Rush. Bayless, who is the same age as Gallinari, relied on his quickness, shooting range and scoring aggressiveness to capture the summer league MVP. The 19-year old was also very comfortable and was fearless going to the rack.  He thrived in his first game against the Kings, scoring 26 points, and capped off his summer with a 36 point outburst vs. the Suns on Saturday. The 6’3” combo guard also averaged 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. If the Vegas Summer League is any indication of what is to come, Bayless has a bright future and will form a solid, backcourt duo with third year All-Star, Brandon Roy. Bayless was also named to the USA basketball select team which is helping prepare the 2008 senior national team for the Beijing Olympics.