HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

It’s time for Knick fans to rejoice. No, they didn’t land All-Star point guard Chris Paul like they had hopes of, but they do now have the best frontline in the game with Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire and the newly-signed Tyson Chandler. President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh, who resigned during the summer, deserves a lot of credit for being the architect who helped put the Knicks in a position now where they are viable contenders with an extremely bright future. The play at point guard is really going to be important for the Knicks. They amnestied Chauncey Billups to sign Chandler, but have two guys in Toney Douglas and Iman Shumpert who they really believe in. That faith doesn’t appear to be misplaced as they are both capable players, good enough to help the Knicks recapture an Atlantic Division title for the first time in what seems like ages.

1st Place, Atlantic Division

- Yannis Koutroupis

The Knicks got exactly what they needed this offseason, landing center Tyson Chandler from the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks. If he and Amar’e Stoudemire can stay healthy they will form one of the better front court tandems in the league. The Knicks may not be as good as Chicago or Miami, with the point guard position a bit of a question mark, but they aren’t too far behind, either.

1st Place – Atlantic Division

- Bill Ingram

Nobody expected the Knicks to end up with Tyson Chandler, arguably the best player available in the 2011 free agency pool, but they somehow managed to get that done and now it’s quite possible that New York has the best three-man frontcourt in the entire NBA with Chandler, Carmelo Anthony, and Amar’e Stoudemire. A couple of months from now, they’ll hopefully add a healthier Baron Davis to that mix, giving them a pretty solid veteran core with more than a few young bench pieces of note, too. There’s no questioning that this is one of the better teams in the conference now; we’ll just have to see if they can transform all that talent into wins. The chances seem pretty strong that they will.

1st Place, Atlantic Division

- Joel Brigham

The New York Knicks are serious about reclaiming a spot amongst the upper echelon teams in the league. The summer 2010 signing of Amar’e Stoudemire and trade deadline deal to bring in Carmelo Anthony last season landed the franchise two All-Star players in their prime. But the team didn’t stop there heading into 2012. The club signed center Tyson Chandler, fresh off a title run with the Dallas Mavericks, to anchor their defensive unit. To do so, the team waived former Finals MVP Chauncey Billups leaving second year guard Toney Douglas as the club’s point guard. The organization is daring to be great and will be playoff fixtures behind Anthony and Stoudemire for years to come.

2nd Place, Atlantic Division

- Lang Greene

Nobody expected the New York Knicks to be active this offseason, but they ended up signing the top center on the market. The Knicks made the difficult decision to sign Tyson Chandler and waive Chauncey Billups, but it was likely the right one. Chandler is in his prime and it’s much harder to find a great center than a great point guard. New York now has arguably the best frontcourt in the league and they have several options at point guard as well after signing Baron Davis and Mike Bibby. New York is one of the few teams in the league with the talent to compete with the Miami HEAT, and it will be interesting to see how Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire perform during their first full season together. The Boston Celtics are on the decline and the Knicks are on the rise, which is why I believe New York will win the Atlantic Division for the first time since the 1993-94 season.

1st Place, Atlantic Division

- Alex Kennedy

Top Offensive Player: Carmelo Anthony can do it all on the offensive end of the floor. Even when defenses game plan against him, Melo finds a way to score. He can post up and abuse smaller defenders on the block; just as easily, he’ll blow by bigger/slower defenders by putting the ball on the floor. He is a nightmare to matchup against, which is why he averages nearly 25 points per game for his career (ranking him fourth among all active NBA players). In addition, Melo isn’t a one-trick pony. He can see the floor and distribute better than most give him credit for (Mike D’Antoni has called Anthony the best passer on the Knicks). In the Knicks playoff series versus Boston last April, Melo led the team in assists, dishing out twice as many dimes as any other player on the New York roster over the course of the four games. All told, there very few players in the league that possess an offensive skill set comparable to Carmelo.

Top Defensive Player: HOOPSWORLD has been doing these preseason previews for over a decade now, and throughout that time it has been very difficult to find a Knick worthy of being labeled a “top defender.” But that may change this season, thanks in large part to the addition of one man: Tyson Chandler. Tyson, whom the Knicks acquired via a sign-and-trade with the Dallas Mavericks, is one of the NBA’s most feared defensive forces. Last season, Chandler was the defensive leader on a Mavs teams that was finally able to win an elusive championship. Many pundits credited Chandler with changing the culture in Dallas, from soft and porous defensively, to an aggressive team to be reckoned with. New York fans are hoping Tyson can have a similar impact on his new team. And considering he’ll be flanked by some relatively weak defenders, Chandler will be forced to earn his money by erasing the mistakes of others.

Top Playmaker: Unfortunately, in order to obtain the aforementioned Chandler, the Knicks had to waive starting point guard Chauncey Billups. This leaves the Knicks with a gaping hole in their backcourt. As a result, Head Coach Mike D’Antoni is going to have to get creative and the rest of the roster will have to step up. Toney Douglas will be the starting point guard on opening night, but he’s more combo-guard and a shooter, as opposed to a true PG. Recently signed PG Baron Davis remains a question mark due to a herniated disk in his back that will keep him sidelined for anywhere from 4-8 weeks. Thus, the Knicks are going to need their forwards to pitch in and help facilitate the offense. Throughout this truncated training camp, D’Antoni has been experimenting with having Melo frequently handle the ball and initiate set plays. While never previously thought of as a “point-forward,” Carmelo may be forced to expand his game a bit this season. Amar’e Stoudemire will also be asked to help set up scoring opportunities for others as well.

Top Clutch Player: Carmelo Anthony has been one of the league’s truly elite clutch shooters in end-game situations since entering the league back in 2003. The numbers speak for themselves: Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Carmelo is 19-39 (.487) in his career on shots that tie or put his team ahead in the final 10 seconds of regulation or overtime. That stands as the highest percentage for any active NBA player (minimum 20 attempts) in those situations during regular season play since 2003-04. Among all active players, Carmelo’s 16 go-ahead shots (two games were later tied) are the most in the NBA since 2003-04.

The Unheralded Player: For fans, rookies have always been easy to fall in love with. There is tantalizing promise of untapped talent and grand expectations. And the Knicks first-round draft pick, Iman Shumpert, is a player that Knicks fans have already begun to clamor for. Shumpert, who spent three seasons at Georgia Tech before entering the NBA, is a physical freak and an amazing athlete. He stands 6’5” but often played the point in college. He was also stronger than nearly all guards he was matched up against in college. In addition, Iman exhibited his explosive leaping ability by recording a 42-inch vertical leap at the 2011 NBA Draft Combine (the highest number posted by any player at the camp). But is not just the standard “measurables” that has the Knicks and their fans excited. Not only is Shumpert lighting quick in transition, he can slash to the basket with striking swiftness. And his jumper is vastly improved, thanks in large part to solid form on his jumper. Lastly, he is an energetic, excitable kid who appears to have a good head on his shoulders. “Shump Shump,” as the kids call him (and as he calls himself) could potentially provide a big spark off the bench for this veteran-laden team – and the Knicks may need him to be.

Best New Addition: This is an easy call. The Knicks made only on major move this off-season, but it was a big one – getting the big man they so desperately needed. New York obviously needed to add size, muscle, and defense down low. In Chandler, they get all of that in spades. His attitude and defensive determination are something the Knicks have been sorely lacking for a long time. New York didn’t need to add another scorer; they already have that end of the court covered. They needed to add a bruiser that would board and protect the tin; a defensive-minded center willing to set screens and do the dirty work. That is Tyson Chandler. A rare big who plays with a contagious passion and aggression. In addition, Amar’e has been worn down over the past few years, and his body has begun to show the ill effects. By bringing in Chandler, Amar’e can comfortably slide over to PF and let Chandler guard bruising bangers in the paint. This will pay immediate dividends and potentially far greater returns a few years down the line. With TC paired alongside Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire in the starting lineup, the Knicks roll out arguably the most imposing and impressive frontline in the entire league…

- Tommy Beer

1. Amar’e Stoudemire: STAT was the first step in the rebuilding process. On the day he signed with the Knicks, he boldly proclaimed: “The Knicks are back!” He then went on to play like an MVP over his first few months in New York, powering the Knickerbockers to a winning record and helping to restore hoops respectability in NYC. His intense passion both on and off the floor, as well his locker room leadership were essential in changing a losing culture that had enveloped the franchise for the better part of a decade. Now that management has surrounded him with stars to his left and his right, his initial optimism upon signing in New York no longer seems misguided. This is Stoudemire’s team. Chandler is their best defensive player, and Melo may end up taking the majority of shots in crunch time, but that in no way diminishes what Captain Stoudemire brings to the table and what he means to this team.

2. Tyson Chandler: Looking for a succinct story which sums up Tyson Chandler impact on the world-champion Mavs last year? The story goes like this: After getting drubbed and physically dominated by the Lakers in a regular season game last season, Chandler screamed at his teammates in the locker room afterwards. He purportedly told them, “… around the league, other teams call the Mavs SOFT, no heart…” He challenged his teammates to be tougher, and more accountable defensive end. Some might even say he demanded it. We know how that story eventually ended for Dallas. The Knicks, since Ewing and Oakley left town, and especially since Mike D’Antoni took the reigns, have been ridiculed for their defensive ineptitude. What kind of impact can one player have? We shall see…

3. Baron Davis: Some pundits are concerned that B-Diddy is washed up, or won’t ever get healthy, or could disrupt chemistry within the locker room. But here’s the thing- the Knicks scooped up the super talented PG for dirt cheap, so it’s the classic example of “low-risk, high reward.” Regarding his back trouble, while it’s obviously a concern, the Knicks don’t actually NEED Baron back until late in the season, towards the playoffs. So New York can give him as much time as he needs to rest his ailing back. Also, because he signed for just the veteran’s minimum, the Knicks can part ways rather easily if the marriage isn’t working out. Lastly, those that suggest Baron is washed up and can contribute must’ve not been watching. In his last full season with the Clippers, Davis played in 75 games while averaging 15 points and 8 assists per contest. During that 2009-2010 campaign, Baron was one of six 6 NBA players to average 15+ points & 8 dimes. (The other five were LeBron, Nash, CP3, D-Will, & Russell Westbrook) In his final 15 games with the Cavs last season, after being traded to Cleveland in February, Baron per-36 minute averages were: 19.7 ppg, 8.7 apg, 3.4 three-pointers per game. That’s the most recent body of work available. Lastly, another bonus w/ Baron – he’s never been afraid to play under the bright lights on the big stage. His career playoff averages are 19.8 ppg, 6.5 apg, and 4.6 rpg. Only 3 active NBA’ers have appeared in over 40 playoff games and averaged at least 19 pts and 6 assists: LeBron James, Deron Williams, and Baron Davis.

4. Iman Shumpert: The infamous New York hype machine is already in overdrive. Exhibit A was a piece in the New York Post which compared Shumpert favorably to Earl “The Pearl” Monroe after Iman’s first exhibition game. Yes, the Shumpert bandwagon has left the station, but there is still limited seating available. And if this kid keeps impressing once the regular season starts, you’ll start seeing Shumpert jersey’s popping up inside MSG.

5. Landry Fields: Despite struggling mightily down the stretch and in the playoffs last year, Fields rookie season would still have to be considered a success. It is very rare to see a second-round pick earns a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team. And despite failing to deliver in the postseason, Fields never ducked the media or made excuses. He owned up to his shortcomings and accepted responsibility. Fields has put in a off-season of hard work, which is clearly evident in his improved physique. Depth will be a major issue for each NBA in this compressed 66-game schedule; thus, the Knicks are going to need Fields to step up. New York has plenty of scorers, so they don’t need Landry to light it up offensively – they just need their starting two-guard to rebound, defend, and earn the hustle points that earned him his starting role last season. It is important role for Fields future as well, as he’ll be a free-agent next summer.

- Tommy Beer

With the L.A. Lakers inexplicably trading away Lamar Odom, and the Knicks adding Tyson Chandler at center, you could make a very convincing argument that the New York Knicks now possesses the most the complete and dominant frontline in the entire league. Melo and Amar’e are undoubtedly two of most dynamic offensive forwards in the entire league. And, as detailed above, Chandler is arguably the NBA’s best defensive center not named Dwight Howard. This trio gives Knicks a chance to win every game they play. They’ll determine just how far New York advances this season. For the first time in a long time, Knicks fans expect that to be pretty far into the postseason.

- Tommy Beer

There are a few major concerns for the Knicks heading into the 2010-2011 campaign. First, point guard play will be an issue. Toney Douglas is a decent defender and an underrated scorer (he led the NBA in three-point makes over the second half of last season), but he is more of a combo guard than a true point. And Mike Bibby is obviously not the player he once was. A Mike D’Antoni offense without a reliable captain steering the ship has to be a concern for the Knicks and their head coach. This was made painfully obvious during the playoffs last season. With Billups hobbled, New York had nobody to facilitate the offense, which often grinded to a halt in half-court sets. Carmelo Anthony ended up leading the Knicks in assists during the first-round series with Boston– certainly not the ideal scenario for New York. The hope is that Baron will be able to fortify the lead guard spot by early in 2012… In addition to PG play, the Knicks have to improve drastically defensively this season and they will also need to have their bench provide depth so as not to wear out Amar’e, Melo, and Chandler during this hectic regular season filled with back-to-backs.

- Tommy Beer

The good news is we should be better this year than we were last year. The bad news is that it won’t be good enough if we can’t all buy-in to a defensive mindset to jumpstart our offense. We have a very interesting roster, with depth, experience, athleticism, and plenty of scoring. We will undoubtedly be a fun team to watch each and every night, provided our individual scorers don’t rely too much on their own ability and live as part of the team. However, interesting and fun isn’t what we want. We want to contend for a championship. Carmelo, you have to decide what kind of player you want to be. The Knicks have had guys like you before – Bernard King comes to mind – but he wasn’t known for winning as he was for being a complete offensive scorer. If you want to be a legend, you need to win championships. And that will start on the defensive end. We will go as you do. Lead us – or don’t. That will tell the story of our season.

- Anthony Macri

Are the Knicks finally a legit contender for the crown?

Besides the many on-court advantages of adding Tyson Chandler, another ancillary benefit is that will drastically reduce the off-court distractions and melodrama that have hung over the franchise for a long time. In the years leading up to the summer of 2010, LeBron James’ pending free-agency got far more attention than the Knicks product on the floor. And last year, even after signing Amar’e Stoudemire, the specter of Carmelo Anthony was a dominant storyline nearly every day. The possibility of adding Chris Paul promised to have a similar, draining effect. But with Chandler on board and that money tied up, the Knicks simply won’t have the flexibility to be legitimate trade partners or players in free agency for years to come. Of course, there will still be outlandish speculation and rumors attached to the Knicks, but adding Chandler should greatly reduce the noisy, distracting chatter. The Knicks had been in a holding pattern for a while. They were essentially star-gazing for the better part of four years. That should end now. The Knicks Big 3 is big enough, strong enough, and talented enough to thrust New York into legit-contender status. The waiting game is over. The nucleus is in place, the time is now.

- Tommy Beer