We’d like to welcome Jesse Schneiderman to the site, he’ll be adding pieces throughout the season.  You can see more of his work at The Cult Jar and you can follow him on twitter at @thecultjar and @JesseOneT

Training camp is upon us. They begin in October and I, like most basketball fans, are quite excited. Unfortunately, the Knicks made news this off-season for all the wrong reasons (bad personnel moves, guaranteed championships, and speaking with Isiah Thomas). Regardless, 2012-2013 is a new season and with that, fans have renewed hope. We’re not alone, though. Many roster hopefuls come to training camp hoping to make “the league” and secure a spot playing (or watching from the bench) in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Here’s a few unknown commodities, with their odds of joining the Knicks this year.

Mychel Thompson – F (6’6, 211 lbs.)
The son of former NBA star Mychal Thompson, “E” (as I’ve named him, after the only difference between his name and his father’s) is a pretty straightforward player. He can shoot the three (though he was terribly inefficient with the Cavs in five games last year) and is a pretty good athlete. If he gets hot during training camp, he has a shot. Otherwise, he’s a worse Bill Walker.
Chances of making the team: 2/5

Henry Sims – C (6’10, 251 lbs.)
Sims averaged about 12 points and 6 rebounds at Georgetown last season and is the prototypical “center with a wingspan and not much else.” He’ll always get a chance because of his size, but he’s not a good basketball player. With the signing of Marcus Camby and the news that the Knicks are looking for another established big man to bring to training camp, the future is bleak for Sims.
Chances of making the team: .01/5

John Shurna – F (6’9, 220 lbs.)
Shurna is, by all accounts, a goof. He became a legend at Northwestern for his doofy smile and excellent, albeit ugly, jump shot. (Similar to Sims, he has little chance.) He’s more athletic than he looks but a mess defensively. Do I hope he makes it? Yes. Will he? No.
Chances of making the team: 1/5

Chris Copeland – F (6’8, 225 lbs.)
Copeland, who had been playing in Belgium last year and throughout Europe since college, was the Knicks’ best player in the Summer League. He can score and has an NBA body (he’s bigger than the other forwards they’re looking at). Copeland is as close to a lock as this list has.
Chances of making the team: 4.5/5

Aside from those listed, expect Pablo Prigioni to become the oldest rookie in NBA history, the Knicks to only have one member of the Smith family on the roster come opening day (Chris is shorter and worse than big bro J.R.), and James White to turn some heads with athleticism before missing the cut.