The Knicks have gone under the radar somehow but Melo&Co. keep on rolling. He scored 45 tonight in their statement win over the Nets giving them a 16-5 record and the best record in the east. The perennial laughing stock is even killing the rap game these days. The squad is straight rolling and they have an undeniable swagger and edge that has been missing since the 90's. Melo's tenure with the Knicks has been controversial at best but he is having a career-year. After winning gold as the second leading scorer for the Olympic team, he has came back with a renewed commitment to defense and hustle. Paired with his always lethal half-court offensive skills, he is possibly the MVP thus far. Despite the early success, they will only get better once Shumpert and Amare' return.
Does this mean they can compete for the NBA Championship?
Yes, very much so. The east is down and Melo is up. Even without the ridiculous production they're getting from Melo, Smith, and Felton, they're still the most complete team in the east. They can't match the star power of the Miami but do have the best scorer and crunch-time player in the game and stud complimentary players in every facet. Steady point play, check Felton & Kidd. Three point shooting, check, every perimeter player they have. Lockdown D; check Chandler, Shumpert, and a suddenly-giving-a-shit Anthony. Scoring off the bench, check again, J.R. Smith is suddenly having the best season of his career after deciding it wasn't a good idea to black out every other night. Woodson is 34-11 since taking over and clearly has created a system that fits the pieces they have and that Melo bought into like D'Antoni never could. Atlanta, Boston, Brooklyn, and Chicago aren't on a level to compete with a team this deep and talented. Therefore, expect a Miami-New York finals in the east and if they continue to personify their leader as well as they have then the Knickerbockers could very likely be just 4 great Melo performances during his career year away from a title.
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