After a huge offseason for the Brooklyn Nets, a lot of people have penciled them in as not only the best team in New York, but perhaps one of the best teams in the entire NBA.
I don’t disagree with that sentiment. In fact, I think that along with the Bulls and Pacers, the Nets are the only other team that could make a run against the heavily favored Miami Heat in 2013.
I don’t think the New York Knicks are going to be a problem for these teams I just mentioned. The Knicks are a great regular season team but don’t really come to play when it’s playoff time.
New York can put up points, evidenced by their 100 points per game average last season which was good for 11th in the league.
But if the Knicks are going to be elite and make a run in the Eastern Conference, they need to shift their completely offensive-minded strategy and start playing more defensively. They also could work on a more pass-oriented offense instead of relying on superstar forward Carmelo Anthony to do everything.
Although a team’s best player is often called upon to carry the team when needed, Carmelo needs help – not necessarily with scoring, but someone who can create for themselves offensively as well as someone who can help out Tyson Chandler on the defensive end.
The offense was last in the league in assists per game with 19.3 in 2012. Point guard Raymond Felton is going to have to become more of a passer this year for the team to improve.
The defense was tied for 25th in the league in rebounds per game and last in blocks per game. Although not a shot blocker, Metta World Peace should add some depth and toughness to a defense that has struggled in that part of the game.
Although a good signing, the addition of sharp-shooting big man Andrea Bargnani doesn’t really help the team defensively, being just a career 4.8 rebounder and .9 block per game player. Bargnani has height, and maybe this year will be a breakout year defensively for him, but he doesn’t play like a typical seven-footer should.
The Knicks are going to need a comeback year from Amare Stoudemire after only playing in 29 games last year. They’ll also need defensive help from veteran Kenyon Martin to help solidify the defense.
The Knicks were seventh in the league in points allowed at 95.7 despite their defensive deficiencies, but it’s going to take a lot more than that to win when the postseason arrives.
We know they have the offense. We know Carmelo and can put up points along with J.R. Smith and Stoudemire. But in order to be truly effective and be mentioned with the Heat, Pacers, Bulls and Nets, they need to start thinking defensively.
The addition of World Peace could help them, but if the Knicks want a championship, they’re going to need to either adjust their playing style or make some sort of move at the trade deadline.
We’ve seen them blow out teams in the regular season with their lights out shooting and Anthony’s scoring prowess. In the playoffs, their scoring average dropped to 88.6 points per game, a good 12 points shy of their regular season average.
It’s times like that when a solid defense comes in handy. If the Knicks keep up with their strong offense and continue that come playoff time, they’ll be a formidable opponent.
But if they make some changes and play defensively, they’ll be an elite team and perhaps be able to make a run in the East instead of being just a regular season team.