Are the 2013 New York Knicks an elite threat in the East or just a another team in the conference?
This offseason many teams in the National Basketball Association made many changes with coaches gone and some new. Teams cleared out allot of its roster to bring in players from other teams through trade. The one team that made a huge impact was the Brooklyn Nets who brought in hall of famer's Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce as well as Jason Terry. They made themselves from a top five team to a team to contend for the NBA Title. There is one other team in the city that people will never forget they are the New York Knicks. The Knicks this offseason traded away certain bench players that were a key part of their success this past season along with players leaving through the free agency. But this Knicks brought in some younger players who can make a huge impact right away along with bringing back some veterans from last year’s team.
The additions of Tim Hardaway Jr. Andrea Bargnani, Beno Udrih, Metta World Peace, Kenyon Martin, and Pablo Prigioni are definitely good bench players. These players they included this offseason I think will be a huge part in the Knicks upcoming season. I know it is only one preseason game but they looked faster, quicker, and determined on the defensive side to be a tougher team. Last year they were good on defensive side but when the playoffs came around you saw the age of the team catch up to them. Two key players are still out J.R. Smith who is recovering from knee surgery and Amare Stoudemire who is recovering from either neck or back surgery is also another key part of the Knicks Success.
With the Nets looking like contenders they don’t have a deep enough bench and a lot of their team is aging as well. While the Knicks Headed in the right direction by getting key players in the free agent market along with players in the NBA draft that they help in each position the team. One player that I am very anxious to see is Tim Hardaway Jr. the son of NBA hall of famer Tim Hardaway. Hardaway Jr is coming off a successful senior at the University of Michigan where they lost in the National title game. He was one of the main contributors to the Wolverines success. He averaged in total 14 points per game and 4 rebounds, and 2 assist per game along with being one of the best defensive players in the country. He will be getting a lot of playing minutes behind Iman Shumpert who is the Knicks best defensive player. He will be getting these minutes while J.R.Smith recovers from knee surgery. I think he was a great draft pick but only time will tell until the season starts. Hardaway brings a lot of explosiveness and determination in wanting to help this team win ball games. Udrih is going to help Hardaway with being key offensive players but it looks like the Knicks will be a top 5 team.
I think the Knicks will be a very good team better than what most people expect. The Knicks aren’t a very old team anymore many of them look healthier and in better shape. Tyson Chandler built up on his muscle this offseason he is determined to be a better player. He said he had a bad taste in his mouth from the playoffs and wants to prove himself this season. I think the Knicks will at least finish with 40 plus wins this season and could make it past the second round this year. The key thing will be them staying healthy and everyone playing on the same page. Time will tell when they open up the season against the Milwaukee Bucks, and then their first challenge will be against the Chicago Bulls the next night on the road.
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