How far can Mike Woodson take the New York Knicks?
There's no reason to believe the Knicks can't beat any team in the East that don't play in Chicago or Miami. During this nine game stretch, the NYK have beaten the Philadelphia team that's leading the Atlantic Division, the fifth seeded Indiana Pacers twice, and absolutely demolished the third seeded Orlando Magic. They are playing fabulous defense right now, arguably the best in the league since Woodson took over. Carmelo Anthony is playing like a bona fide superstar right now. If the Knicks make it to the 6th seed, which they will at this rate, they will make it to the second round.
Once they play Chicago or Miami, however, things are going to be very different. They will not have the best player on the court, that will be DRose or LeBron. It's hard to believe the Knicks will play better defense, considering both teams have been together since before the lockout, while this incarnation of the Knicks will have had a third of a truncated season together. Then there's the 6'11 elephant in the room; how can A'mare and Carmelo gel together? The best basketball Carmelo has played since leaving Denver has been when STAT is on the bench or hurt, and STAT has a dreadful plus/minus this season. If they can win games together, they can possibly beat Chicago or Miami, but odds are they won't.
All in all, winning a playoff series is huge for this franchise that hasn't won a playoff series in over a decade. Even though many prognosticators thought the Knicks could make the Eastern Conference Finals, considering how this season has gone, coming one series short of this goal is nothing to be ashamed of. The real question is will Mike Woodson be the head coach of this team for 2012-13 and beyond.
Once they play Chicago or Miami, however, things are going to be very different. They will not have the best player on the court, that will be DRose or LeBron. It's hard to believe the Knicks will play better defense, considering both teams have been together since before the lockout, while this incarnation of the Knicks will have had a third of a truncated season together. Then there's the 6'11 elephant in the room; how can A'mare and Carmelo gel together? The best basketball Carmelo has played since leaving Denver has been when STAT is on the bench or hurt, and STAT has a dreadful plus/minus this season. If they can win games together, they can possibly beat Chicago or Miami, but odds are they won't.
All in all, winning a playoff series is huge for this franchise that hasn't won a playoff series in over a decade. Even though many prognosticators thought the Knicks could make the Eastern Conference Finals, considering how this season has gone, coming one series short of this goal is nothing to be ashamed of. The real question is will Mike Woodson be the head coach of this team for 2012-13 and beyond.
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