December 10, 2011
by peteydeez
Now that the NBA Lockout is finally behind us, we can look forward to the frenzy that is the NBA free agent wire, wild trade rumors, and pre-season predictions. Along with the NBA season and its tremendous story lines heading into the 2011-2012 season.
– Will Dallas repeat?
– Can Kobe land his 6th title?
– LeBron’s play in the playoffs
– Can Boston win with Garnett, Pierce, and Allen one more time?
– Can Derek Rose lead his team to the finals?
– How good can the Knicks be?
– Is it Durant’s time to go to the Finals?
The most intriguing headline to me is how good can the Knicks be? (Yeah I’m a Knick fan). However, Last season left me wanting so much more, I know the team was put together midseason with the addition of Carmelo, but I feel this team has so much potential. Especially since the Knicks were so competitive against in the Celtics in the first round, and now we finally get to see how this team progresses in a shortened 66 game regular season.
Also, for me personally, I don’t really pay attention to the NBA season until Christmas, so opening day against the Celtics on Christmas is pretty great for me. A solid meaningful home game against an opponent that swept you from the playoffs in the first round, well know about this Knick team very quickly.
With the addition of Chandler, the Knicks could really make some noise this season and in the playoffs. I’m not saying they are going to win it all, but I feel it’s reasonable to think this team now is talented enough to win a 1st round/maybe 2nd round matchup in the playoffs. Chandler gives this team a defensive and athletic presence in frontcourt that has been sorely missed for the past decade.
In addition, I feel this is the first time in a long time that Knick fans have high aspirations heading into the season (and rightfully so). I am a football fanatic, but I must say when the Knicks are competitive, the city definitely has a different buzz to it. The Knicks are a historic franchise with a passionate fan base hungry for playoff success.
During Basketball season the story is always the Knicks, unless the Nets acquire Dwight Howard, the Nets will ALWAYS be an afterthought (Although, moving to Brooklyn and being in the talks for Howard is a step in the right direction).
With Melo, Stoudemire, and now Chandler, this could be one of the best front courts in the NBA. Fields at the 2 is solid; he is a good perimeter defender and the only one on one defender the Knicks have. The question lies at Point Guard, Billups is a clutch player with championship medal, but his contract and his understanding of D’Antoni’ system is the problem.
Toney Douglas could be and should be the Point Guard for the Knicks; he is quick and a defensive pest in the back court and will not get torched (at least not as easily as Billups) by Rondo and the quicker guards in the NBA.
In a season filled with story lines, I will be paying attention to none more than the progress of the Knicks throughout the season, I am eager to see how the Knicks match up against the powerhouses in the East (Miami, Chicago, Boston).
What I am more eager to see; MSG packed watching LeBron get his shot blocked on his way to the basket by Chandler to win the game for the Knicks. Perfect time to come back NBA, I did not miss you, but I was getting worried about you, Welcome Back.