The 2012-2013 Knicks finished with their best record since 1994 and placed 2nd in the Eastern Conference regular season standings. However, that still was not enough to see the Knicks have yet another early exit from the playoffs, losing in 6 games to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semi Finals. With the way the Knicks roster is currently constructed, do the Knicks have the pieces to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy?
On paper, the Knicks starting line-up should be able to spar with anyone (this is my version on the who should be the starting five);
G- Raymond Felton
G- Iman Shumpert
F- Carmelo Anthony
F- Andrea Bargnani
C- Tyson Chandler
You could argue that Pablo Prigioni should start, as well as J.R Smith or Amar’e Stoudemire. I like Smith coming off the bench, as he thrived in that role last season, earning his first 6th man of the year award. I also like Amar’e coming off the bench, regardless of his max contract due to his balky knees. When healthy (not often the past couple of years), Amar’e can still impact a game; last season he averaged 14.2 points and 5 rebounds in just 23.5 minutes per game. It is absurd when I hear people say the Knicks are a better team without Amar’e, and that Amar’e and Anthony cannot play together. For argument’s sake, let’s just say the Amar’e and Melo critics are right, and they cannot play together. Amar’e leading the second unit along with Smith, Prigioni and Hardaway Jr. should have Knick fans optimistic as that is one of the deepest second units in the NBA.
With all that being said, do the Knicks have enough talented pieces to go against the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets and the Indiana Pacers; or has their window closed after last years playoff exit? Lets break it down by teams mentioned above, and see how the Knicks match up against them.
The Heat are the reigning 3-time Eastern Conference Champions and everyone knows they will be in the mix again at the end of 2013-2014 season. Dwayne Wade is getting older and does not have the explosiveness he had in his prime, however he still has the heart of a champion and has proven people wrong, time after time. Tyson Chandler is bigger and more aggressive than Chris Bosh, and the same can be said for Raymond Felton going agaisnt Mario Chalmers. Carmelo Anthony, is one if not the best offensive players in the game, winning his first scoring title. However, LeBron James is the best player on the planet, and since his move to the Heat, no team in the Eastern Conference has been able to get passed him. The Heat once again will prove to be a tall task for the Knicks to get the best of.
The Bulls were devastated by injuries, and getting back a healthy Derrick Rose will only make them more formidable. They lost to the Heat in the second round of last years playoffs, and since drafting Rose, they are always in a spot to contend. With Joakim Noah’s heart along with the brilliance of Tom Thibodeau’s coaching, the Bulls will prove to be a tough opponent in a 7 game series as well. They are mentally tough, and have more playoff experience that proves valuable.
The Knicks beat the Celtics in the playoffs with Kevin Garnett and Pierce, but they were traded this off-season to the Brooklyn Nets. Mixing in KG and Pierce to a roster than already has Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, the Nets become an instant contender to not only take the throne in the battles of the boroughs, but the Eastern Conference as well. Having a future hall of famer with no experience as a head coach will either prove to too much to overcome or be the exact ingredient needed for the Nets to make the leap to the next level. Coach Kidd will undoubtedly understand the grind of an NBA season, especially with an older team.
The Pacers beat the Knicks in the second round of this years playoffs. Is the addition of Andrea Bargnani going to be enough for a different result should they meet again? It is tough to tell at this point, but with the inconsistency of J.R. Smith and the uncertainty of Stoudemire’s knees it is hard to see how the Knicks improved enough to beat the Pacers in a 7 game series. The Pacers will get back a healthy Danny Granger, and also wrestled away Chris Copeland, making them even deeper than they were last year.
In short, the Knicks window is still open, but is closing by the very moment. If the Knicks could not get past the second round last year, with a injuries to Rose and Granger, it will be even harder this year, especially with a much improved Nets roster. I do believe the Knicks can still contend, but much of that rides on Amar’e and how much the Knicks learned from last year’s playoff run.
Justin Lerner: PureSportsNY