There's a lot of skepticism in regards to where the Knicks will end up at the end of this NBA season. Some experts say they'll be in the basement in a very mediocre Eastern Conference, while others believe they'll surprise the league by adapting to the triangle offense and snag a playoff berth. For me, I see the Knicks struggling through the first month of the season before really hitting their stride in this new system. I do, however, think they have the talent and coaching to reclaim a spot in the playoffs this year for a variety of reasons:
1. To put it bluntly, the East is godawful
Let's look back to last year. The Knicks were only one game back from taking the 8th seed despite the team's highly dysfunctional season. The Hawks ended the year with a 38-44 record and still made the playoffs! To put this in perspective, the 8th seed in the West - the Dallas Mavericks - were 49-33. This would have made them a 3 seed in the East.
I find this a bit ridiculous. I'm afraid it only gets worse this year, as we're going to see the Indiana Pacers fall to the lower echelons of the East because of Paul George's tragic injury. This same trend will hold for Miami, because let's face it - giving up LeBron is an insurmountable loss for any team. The top two teams will be Cleveland and Chicago, but after that it's a bit of a crap shoot for the next six seeds...which gives the Knicks a fighting chance.
2. Jose Calderon is a real point guard
What really plagued the Knicks last year was the fact that they played a good part of the year with Raymond Felton as their starting point guard. Felton was: 1. completely out of shape 2. hurt or dealing with nagging injuries for a major portion of the season 3. had no concept of ball movement 4. could only function in an offense that centered on the pick and roll and 5. couldn't shoot to save his life.
This year, with Calderon manning the point, the Knicks have a seasoned veteran known for his savvy ability to set up his teammates. Calderon has averaged 6.8 assists over his career, and his ability to move the ball in the half court set makes him a perfect fit to run the triangle. Lastly - and to me, most importantly - Calderon is a career 41.1 percent three point shooter. This will help open up the floor and force defenses to respect his jumper, keeping double teams away from Carmelo Anthony.
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3. Melo will win a few games on his own
No one can argue that the Knicks will contend for a playoff spot this year, but what will really solidify their position in the playoffs will be predicated on the play of their franchise player, Carmelo Anthony. He has the talent to take over a game and dictate its pace because of his unparalleled ability to put the ball in the basket.
During the course of the year, there will be a handful of games (around five or six) where Melo will get hot and score at least 40. That's absolutely certain, and you can book it now. It's these games where Melo seemingly wins all on his own that will push the Knicks into the playoffs and give them a seed higher than the 8 spot.
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeYmRC0hFJc[embed]
4. Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. will buy into the system and make the next step
I've heard only good things this training camp about the Knicks' two young swingmen, Iman Shumpert and Tim Hardaway Jr. Both seem to be buying what Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson are selling, and it's going to pay dividends for them as well as the Knicks organization.
Expect to see a re-energized Shumpert, who I think will boost his offensive productivity to around 11 points per game, as well as regain his form as one of the best perimeter, on-ball defenders in the league. Hardaway should continue to develop on the offensive end and become a more efficient shooter, as well as show some ability to create his own shot off the dribble. Both of these guards will be an integral part in determining the Knicks' success this year.
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uirM5sljfO8[embed]
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xVtKL8FuUI[embed]
5. Phil Jackson is involved, and, well...he's Phil Jackson
I really don't think that there's much to discuss here. In Phil we trust. Phil Jackson has done nothing but win throughout his career, earning 11 rings as an NBA head coach and two as a player for the Knicks. I hardly expect this trend to change now. The Knicks will make the playoffs, and I see them as a potential 6 seed in the East.
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