Knicks close Garden season with win over Wizards

As the Knicks played last night at the Garden for the last time this season, it was natural for anyone watching - especially the anxious fan base that has been waiting two years for this summer to come - to wonder what they will look like the next time they take this court.

Even coach Mike D'Antoni found himself caught up in the anticipation.

"I've really been kind of doing that all year," D'Antoni said. "I think everybody has, to a certain extent . . . It's not fair to anybody, but that's kind of how you get to the next game."

After last night's 114-103 win over the Wizards, the next game is the last. The Knicks (29-52) close the season in Toronto Wednesday night against the Raptors. After that, the biggest offseason in 14 years commences while the grand prize, LeBron James, begins his quest for a championship.

The Knicks aren't sure how to root. If James wins a title with the Cavaliers, will it make it easier for him to leave championship-starved Cleveland? If he loses, will he question the Cavs' ability to win the big one and consider his options?

The Knicks' marketing theme this season involved the use of "Declare." Soon enough, the team will be able to officially declare their desire for King James. Danilo Gallinari, the best of the five Knicks under contract for 2010-11, already has.

"I think that everybody would like to play with LeBron," said Gallinari, who had all 24 of his points in the second half. "It's not just me; I think everybody would like to play with him. But I think there are a lot of other great players in this league, so we'll see what happens."

Aside from Gallinari, Bill Walker, Toney Douglas and perhaps late-season surprise Earl Barron, the rest of the Knicks in uniform last night finished their roles as space-fillers. Perhaps even David Lee, who was signed to a one-year, $7-million contract last summer, has played his last game at the Garden as a Knick.

Lee, who finished with 26 points, checked out of the game early in the fourth and did not return as the Knicks rallied to take the lead and pull away.

"I've seen so many people come and go," said Lee, who has had an incredible 49 teammates in five seasons with the Knicks.

In Lee's deal was a $1-million bonus if the Knicks made the playoffs. It was a suggestion that a premium would be placed on winning, not individual statistics.

But it was understood among the players - especially the expiring-contract guys - that winning may have been an intention, but it obviously was not a priority.

"Things went on that we were able to clear up some cap and set up for the summer," D'Antoni said of the cap space-clearing trades. "That was our strategy for doing it."

And while everyone was aware of it, that didn't keep anyone from filling the Garden 26 times this season. In fact, the Knicks can sell the loyalty of their fan base to free agents. But will they be able to sell whomever they sign - especially if it's not anyone named James or Dwyane Wade or Joe Johnson - to their fan base?

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