Shane Battier probably had nightmares last night about guarding Carmelo Anthony. Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony exploded with 50 points, his best performance of the season. It was the third time in his career that Anthony has scored 50 points in a game. He shot a blistering 69% from the field, including seven out of 10 from three-point range.

It was a merciless performance, as Anthony made basket after basket. He had 27 points by halftime. The TNT broadcasters joked that Heat forward Shane Battier, a good defensive player, would have nightmares about trying to guard Anthony. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Mario Chalmers watched helplessly, as they sat on the Heat bench with injuries.

The Knicks have taken three out of four games from the Heat this season. They have beaten the Heat with Anthony and without Anthony. They have beaten them using a team effort and now an unstoppable individual performance. The Knicks are built to beat the Heat, and Anthony is doing whatever it takes to make that happen.

The Knicks easily could have taken the game lightly. Instead, they seized the opportunity to show the Heat that they mean business this time. Anthony was determined to reach 50 points last night, but not for individual accolades. Anthony sent a message to the Heat that the Knicks can and will beat them, any chance they get.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @realEdwinTorres.

Sources:
SI.com – NBA
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

The New York Knicks were flying high at the start of the season. Picture Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Since then, however, the Knicks have gone just 20-18. The team has looked very mediocre and beatable at times. But what is most alarming is how the Knicks have lost some of these games. So far this season, the Knicks have been blown out five times:

L 131-103 @Houston Rockets (Nov 23)
L 97-80 @Philadelphia 76ers (Jan 26)
L 88-102 Los Angeles Clippers (Feb 10)
L 125-91 @Indiana Pacers (Feb 20)
L 92-63 @Golden State Warriors (Mar 11)

And these blowout losses have occurred throughout the season. This is clearly not championship mettle. This is not how contenders play. In fact, the defending champion Heat had zero blowout losses at this point last season.

So are the Knicks really contenders? The answer is no. The Knicks are a far cry from that team that started 18-5. But they have the personnel and potential to be contenders again. The Knicks have a month to find that early magic and possibly enter the NBA playoffs on a hot streak. This last month will reveal who these Knicks really are.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @realEdwinTorres.

Raymond Felton could return this Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

For the first twenty-seven games of the NBA season, the New York Knicks played great basketball. They looked unstoppable at times. The Knicks defeated top teams like the Miami Heat (twice) and San Antonio Spurs. Winning was easy.

Then on Dec. 25, 2012, the Knicks received devastating Christmas Day news. Starting point guard Raymond Felton sprained his finger against the Los Angeles Lakers. Felton has been out of the lineup ever since.

Removing the starting point guard from the lineup is enough to disrupt any NBA team. But the shuffling did not end there. Two of the Knicks’ recent losses came with Anthony out of the lineup. On Dec. 28, 2012, the Knicks lost to the Sacramento Kings while Anthony nursed a hyperextended left knee. On Jan. 10, 2013, the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers as Anthony served a one-game suspension.

Shuffling, shuffling.

The Knicks lost Rasheed Wallace, a key contributor off the bench, in mid-December. Amar’e Stoudemire made his return on New Year’s Day, but the Knicks have lost five out of nine games with him. The Knicks are happy to have Iman Shumpert back, but this will be yet another adjustment for the team.

The Knicks’ struggles are due to the shuffling lineup. They are simply out of sync right now. Felton may play this Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. His return could be the beginning of normalcy, consistency and winning.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
SI.com – NBA

Coach Mike Woodson has found a way to bond with his players and hold them accountable at the same time. Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

1. Carmelo Anthony is more focused than ever on winning.

Anthony has always been a star player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). But this year, he is a star player who is doing whatever it takes to win. If Anthony needs to shoot more, he does. If he needs to play decoy, he will. He is also defending, rebounding and trusting his teammates. Anthony is playing like an MVP, and the Knicks are winning.

2. The Knicks have depth.

With players like J.R. Smith, Rasheed Wallace, Steve Novak and Pablo Prigioni coming off the bench, opposing teams get no break while defending the Knicks. And the bench will get even deeper when Amar’e Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert return.

3. The Knicks have veteran leadership and experience.

Coming into the season, some thought the Knicks were too old. But with age comes leadership and experience. Players like Wallace, Jason Kidd and Tyson Chandler know how to win in the NBA. They have seen it all; nothing fazes them. And the rest of the team is learning from them.

4. Results don’t lie.

The Knicks are 16-5. They defeated the San Antonio Spurs, the team that currently has the best record in the NBA. The Knicks thrashed the Miami Heat by 20 points, twice. The Knicks are not a fluke. They are a team that is capable of beating anyone.

5. Coach Mike Woodson is in full control.

Coach Woodson is doing a fantastic job coaching the Knicks. He has found a way to bond with his players and hold them accountable at the same time. But even more impressive is the way Coach Woodson has handled his star players. He expects the same effort and performance from all the Knicks, whether they start the game or sit at the end of the bench.

These are five reasons why the Knicks will stay hot. If they do, we must stop calling them hot and start calling them for real.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Imagine Amar’e Stoudemire in this New York Knicks offense, with Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd setting him up. Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

I kept wondering what would happen when Amar’e Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert returned from their injuries. I was afraid that they would upset the balance and ruin the chemistry. The Knicks didn’t need them, or so I thought.

Since their hot start, the Knicks have won just three out of seven games. Their offense has struggled at times. Their defense has been horrible in spots. The bench has been mortal. Now I am convinced that the Knicks do need Stoudemire and Shumpert. They need them now.

I would much rather have a healthy Stoudemire trying to mesh with Carmelo Anthony than an injured Stoudemire contributing nothing from the sidelines. The fact is that Stoudemire can put up 20 points and nine rebounds every night, and the Knicks could really use that right now. Imagine Stoudemire coming off the bench and picking up where Anthony left off. Imagine Stoudemire in this Knicks offense, with Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd setting him up. Imagine Stoudemire and Anthony finally gelling. But none of this becomes a reality with Stoudemire out.

Shumpert will be out longer, but the Knicks need him too. When healthy, Shumpert is the Knicks’ best on-the-ball defender. They definitely could have used him on Deron Williams last night. And the Knicks, the oldest team in the NBA, could also use Shumpert’s youth and energy.

Even though the Knicks are off to a fast start, some pieces are clearly missing. Stoudemire and Shumpert can fill those voids. When they return, they will solidify the Knicks as one of the top teams in the NBA.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

J.R. Smith is doing more than just scoring for the New York Knicks. Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

The Knicks really need Smith’s scoring off the bench. He is currently second on the team in scoring at 16.3 points per game. When Carmelo Anthony is out, the Knicks rely on Smith for points. Since Smith comes off the bench, he often has favorable match-ups. So I fully expect him to continue his scoring ways.

But Smith is doing more than just scoring. He is rebounding, defending and setting up his teammates. Smith is doing it all for the Knicks right now. This is ultimately what will endear him to Knicks fans long-term. Knicks fans want overall effort, not just scoring.

The bottom line is that the Knicks are winning. As long as Smith continues to contribute the way he has been, Knicks fans are going to love him. And the Knicks will keep winning with Smith in the lineup. It is an endless cycle that Smith controls. How long will the love affair last? As long as Smith wants it to.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Coach Mike Woodson is making defense a priority for the New York Knicks. Credit: Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE

Woodson is getting through to Carmelo Anthony. He is showing Anthony the value of sharing the ball, and Anthony is buying in. Anthony is getting other players involved and making them better. His unselfish play is rubbing off on his teammates. As a result, the Knicks are playing great team basketball.

Woodson convinced J.R. Smith to come off the bench. He saw a valuable role for Smith as a sixth man, but Smith was unhappy about it. Now Smith is an early candidate for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.

Defense is now a priority. The Knicks are one of the top defensive teams in the league right now thanks to the defensive-minded Coach Woodson. The players are playing smart, aggressive and harassing defense.

The players respect Woodson. Woodson is connecting with his players, but he is also holding them accountable. This is easier said than done with a roster full of stars and former stars. But the players are following his plan.

Woodson is winning. The Knicks are 6-0 with Woodson as head coach this season. His formula for winning is clearly working. This is the ultimate measuring stick for coaches in the NBA.

Coach Woodson deserves much of the credit for the Knicks’ tremendous start. Woodson has the Knicks playing their best basketball in years. The Knicks would not be in this position without him.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

J.R. Smith has been invaluable as sixth man for the New York Knicks. Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Wrong. Smith has been invaluable as the sixth man for the Knicks. Without him, the Knicks would not be sitting on a 5-0 record right now. Smith is averaging 18.2 points and almost 34 minutes per game. Only Carmelo Anthony averages more for the Knicks. If you looked solely at the numbers, you would think that Smith is a starter. He is certainly playing like one.

You have to give some credit to Coach Mike Woodson for putting Smith in the best possible position to succeed. With Anthony dominating the scoring among the starters, there is less of a need for Smith in the first unit. But the Knicks desperately need scoring in the second unit, especially when Anthony is not on the floor. This is where the Knicks need Smith the most. This is where Smith has shined.

Now Smith loves his role as the sixth man. It is still early, but Smith is a strong candidate for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. And if he keeps playing like this, starters are going to want to be like him.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

New York brings out the best in Felton. Back in 2010, Felton averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 assists in 54 games with the Knicks. With other teams, he averaged 12.8 points and 6.5 assists per game. Felton does his best work in New York, and there are plenty of reasons why.

Something about New York brings out the best in Raymond Felton. Credit: Joe Camporeale-US PRESSWIRE

The Knicks give Felton a chance to win. In 2010, he was surrounded by talented players. And he has even more talented players around him now. Felton has Carmelo Anthony, one of the most prolific scorers in the league, next to him. He has great pick-and-roll targets in Amar’e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler. He has wing players like J.R. Smith, Jason Kidd and Steve Novak who can really shoot the ball. The Knicks are a point guard’s dream.

While teams are paying attention to his teammates, Felton can call his own number. He can drive to the basket or shoot from long range. Felton can score, and he will get more open looks this season than ever before.

Playing in New York is different than playing in Charlotte or Portland. Madison Square Garden is one of the greatest sports venues in the world. Some players can’t handle the pressure of playing in New York, but Felton thrives on it.

Felton loves playing in New York. You can see it on the court. Felton is in great shape. He is determined, focused and energetic. This is not the same player who underperformed with the Portland Trail Blazers last season. Felton is having fun again, and this may be his best season yet.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Raymond Felton played like he never left New York. Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

Felton played like he never left New York, tallying 14 points and nine assists. Kidd added 12 points and three assists. Prigioni had three assists in his NBA debut. The three of them combined for 26 points and 15 assists. And they did this against the defending champions. The last time Lin faced the Heat, he had just eight points and three assists.

Last season, we wondered if Lin could coexist with Carmelo Anthony. Last night, Felton, Kidd and Prigioni proved that they can. Anthony (30 points, 10 rebounds) played like an MVP. Ball movement was excellent. Six players scored in double figures.

Those of us who condemned the Knicks for letting Lin go can rest easy. The Knicks have three talented point guards who already have the offense humming. Soon we will be singing their praises and saying, “Jeremy who?”

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Pablo Prigioni already looks like a valuable addition to the Knicks. Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Carmelo Anthony looked healthy and sharp. Anthony dropped in 17 points in 20 minutes. He went three-for-three from long range.

The point guards played well. Raymond Felton was far from fat. He had eight points and eight assists in 21 minutes. Ball movement was excellent with Felton in the game. Jason Kidd contributed four assists of his own and four points. 35-year-old rookie Pablo Prigioni was impressive with four assists and 14 points. He already looks like a valuable addition to the Knicks’ backcourt.

Tyson Chandler continued his high-percentage scoring ways. Chandler connected with the guards on some nice alley-oop dunks.

Sharpshooter Steve Novak was a perfect seven-for-seven from beyond the arc. He led all scorers with 21 points.

One glaring hole was the absence of Amar’e Stoudemire. Stoudemire missed the game with a bruised left knee. Head Coach Mike Woodson said that the injury isn’t serious. But this is a bad start for the oft-injured Stoudemire.

The Knicks stormed to a 38-21 first quarter lead, but relinquished it when their bench took over. Nonetheless, the Knicks looked very good. And this is just their first preseason game. Ball movement, which seemed to be a problem last season, was much better. The three-headed monster of Felton, Kidd and Prigioni showed poise and control. The Knicks are a different team with them in the backcourt.

The Knicks are off to a quick start. And if this first preseason game is any indication, the Knicks are going to be very fun to watch this season.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

People criticized Raymond Felton for being overweight last season. Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

Prove that last season was an aberration

Felton played poorly with the Portland Trail Blazers last season, and people criticized him. But now he is ready to “shut up a lot of people.” Felton was the starting point guard for the Knicks in the 2010-11 NBA Season. He averaged 17.1 points and 9 assists per game. With more talent around him now, Felton has a chance to eclipse those numbers.

Make New York forget about Jeremy Lin

New York fans are still mad about losing Jeremy Lin to the Houston Rockets. Now Felton has to make them forget about Lin. That won’t be easy; Lin was a global phenomenon last season. But Felton thinks he is better than Lin. That remains to be seen, but you have to like his competitiveness.

Lose the weight

Critics chastised Felton for being out of shape last season. But he has lost the weight and is ready to go. Knicks fans hope that he looks and plays like the Felton of old.

Felton has a lot to prove this season with the Knicks. Losing the weight was the first step. Now he just has to be himself, not the player he was last season.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Jeremy Lin hasn’t played a game since March 24, 2012. Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

Whether you agree with me or not, one thing is indisputable: the sample size. We are all evaluating Lin on just 25 starts and his breakout game against the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets on February 04, 2012. But if you can say that Lin is the real deal after just a few games, I can certainly say that he’s overrated over the same sample size. It works both ways.

I will admit that Lin played like an elite point guard in his breakout game and the 10 games that followed. He was so good that we called his magical run Linsanity. During this stretch of games, Lin averaged 23.9 points and 9.2 assists per game. He shot 50% from the field. These were Steve Nash-like numbers. Like everyone else, I jumped on the bandwagon. Lin was for real.

Then on February 23, 2012, reality replaced Linsanity. The Miami Heat stifled Lin, holding him to eight points and three assists. Lin shot a woeful one for 11 from the floor. His numbers dropped from that game on. In these last 15 games, Lin averaged 14.5 points and 6.5 assists. This put him below the top 10 point guards in the NBA. Lin also averaged 3.9 turnovers a game and shot just 39.3% from the field. That put him in the bottom half of NBA point guards.

So in this small sample of games, we actually have more games that show Lin playing a just above average. While everyone has Linsanity burned in their memories, the actual numbers provide some eye-opening facts.

We also have to consider the surprise factor with Lin. Nobody expected him to play this well. So no player respected his play in the beginning. And Lin took advantage of this by playing aggressively. But there is a big difference between an unknown player lighting it up and a top player who can score when defenses are gunning to stop him.

Finally, Lin hasn’t played a game since March 24, 2012. That’s when he opted for knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear. You can’t overlook this injury. Who knows if his knee will hold up? Who knows if he’ll be the same player?

Put aside Lin’s story, his background and his media attention. Look at what he’s done lately. In Lin’s last 15 games, he looked less like an elite player and more like a good player. I don’t think he can consistently drop 24 points and 10 assists on teams like he did last February. In fact, no NBA point guard did that last season. But if Lin comes close, he’ll be among the elite point guards such as Russell Westbrook, Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Then I’ll eat my words. Then you can call me Linsane for writing this.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Chris Copeland led the Belgian Basketball League in scoring last season. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

He Might Surprise

Copeland was a star in the Belgian Basketball League last season. He led the league in scoring with 21.8 points per game. Copeland was also named player of the year. Judging by this 45-point effort, Copeland can shoot the ball. The 6-8 forward is a versatile scorer. Copeland can score from distance and off the dribble. He can post up and drive to the hoop.

He Might Not Surprise

Copeland may have been a star overseas, but this was the Belgian Basketball League. He will now have to adjust to bigger, faster and more skillful NBA opponents. And it appears that Copeland needs to take shots. Do the Knicks really need another scoring forward to demand the ball and take shots?

At the very least, Copeland will add some depth on the bench. He could be a nice surprise for the Knicks. But don’t be disappointed if he doesn’t make an impact this season.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Jeremy Lin has made no official statement about his contract situation with the New York Knicks. Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

The Rockets will eventually send the offer to the Knicks, and the saga will be over. But until then, Lin remains in limbo. And the media continues to take advantage of the delay by putting a spin on Lin’s feelings toward the Knicks. They are mining for page views as the world watches closely.

Just look at these headlines:
NY Daily News: Jeremy Lin surprised NY Knicks didn’t offer him contract before Houston Rockets offer sheet: source
ESPN New York: Jeremy Lin upset at Knicks
CBS Sports: Jeremy Lin upset with Knicks over contract situation?
Sporting News NBA: Jeremy Lin upset New York Knicks didn’t offer contract before Houston Rockets

Keep in mind that Lin never actually said that he was upset with the Knicks. All of this information comes from a league source. In other words, these are nothing but rumors. The NY Daily News also stated that “this is a sign to some NBA observers that Lin’s sudden stardom has clouded his thinking.” Once again, Lin has not made any quotes to this effect. So we have no reason to believe that Lin has suddenly become a diva.

In fact, the only hint of a response from Lin comes from his Twitter feed: “Lol why do u guys believe everything? No quotes from me = probably not true.” And this is the only believable thing I have read about Lin’s feelings over the past two days.

So everyone just relax and exhale. The Knicks are going to officially re-sign Lin very soon. The NBA is a business, and the Knicks are simply following protocol. I’m sure Lin, a Harvard graduate, understands this. Why can’t we?

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

With any luck, Jeremy Lin will be the New York Knicks' starting point guard when training camp opens. Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

5. Coach Mike Woodson will demand defense from day one.

Under Coach Woodson, the Knicks finally realized that defense wins games. The Knicks will play defense from day one. That will make their offense even stronger, and they will win more games.

4. Someone has to win the Atlantic.

The Atlantic Division isn’t exactly filled with powerhouse teams. Someone will eventually win it. Why can’t it be the Knicks? The Celtics are the top team, but they are showing their age. The Knicks can beat the Philadelphia 76ers. The Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors are far from being contenders.

3. Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire will finally learn to play together.

I think this is the season when Anthony and Stoudemire finally play well together. They will learn to play off of one another. They will realize that their individual success is tied to the other. Anthony and Stoudemire have had plenty of time to figure this out. Stoudemire has been great. So has Anthony. Now they must be great together.

2. The point guard position is set.

With any luck, the Knicks will sign point guard Jeremy Lin as soon as possible. Then they will have their point guard from the start. The offense must run through Lin. And Lin will have plenty of time to perfect it.

1. The Knicks will have a full training camp.

The Knicks played much of last season with their core players in place. Now they will have a full training camp with Anthony, Stoudemire, Lin and Tyson Chandler. This is when they will work on the offense, define roles and just plain practice together. They will play more like a team in 2013.

The 2011-2012 NBA Season hasn’t ended, and I can’t wait for next season to start. The Knicks are young, talented and hungry. 2013 will be a breakout year for them.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Jeremy Lin's future in New York is in jeopardy. Picture Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

Lin was the best thing to happen to the Knicks since they drafted Patrick Ewing in 1985. This past season, Lin exploded onto the NBA scene with seven straight phenomenal games in February. He gave New York fans real hope and inspiration. He captivated the basketball world.

The Knicks played their best team basketball with Lin on the court. He made his teammates better, while still finding the right moments to dominate the ball. It was the perfect mix. It was fun being a Knicks fan again.

However, basketball is a business. And Lin’s future with the Knicks is in jeopardy. If it were up to the fans, signing Lin would be a no-brainer. But money talks, and teams are going to throw money at Lin.

If the Knicks lose Lin, they will have some serious explaining to do. Lin performed like an elite point guard in the NBA. And with Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert out with knee injuries, the Knicks need Lin more than ever now.

The Knicks and their fans embraced Lin, and Lin loved playing in New York. So it is up to the Knicks’ management to make it happen. Nobody will fault the Knicks if they sign Lin, but they will take the full blame if they lose him.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

How much does Steve Nash have left? Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

But on Thursday May 10, 2012, the future was not so clear. Lin stated that “nothing is set in stone.” He sounded unsure about his future with the Knicks, as Steve Nash rumors circulated. Lin clearly wants to stay in New York. But how much do the Knicks want to keep him?

How quickly the Knicks have forgotten what Lin did this season. After losing badly to the Miami Heat in Round 1 of the 2012 NBA Playoffs, the Knicks seem to be in panic mode. Amar’e Stoudemire himself is campaigning for Nash.

Would Nash be a good fit in New York? Of course he would. He is one of the greatest pure point guards to ever play the game. Nash would immediately solve the Knicks’ backcourt problems. But immediate is the operative word here. Nash is 38 years old. How many more years does he have left? Nash is going to slow down soon, maybe even next season.

The best-case scenario for the Knicks is to sign both Lin and Nash. Then Lin could learn from Nash. And Nash could prolong his career by deferring some minutes to Lin. It would be the best of both worlds. The Knicks would have their point guard of the future and present.

But can the Knicks pull this off? It seems unlikely. However, they do have the means to keep Lin. But how much do they want him? Other teams will certainly go after Lin. And how much do the Knicks want Nash? How badly does Nash want to be a Knick? Something has to give. It’s going to be an interesting summer.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

On Monday April 30, 2012, the New York Knicks lost Game 2 of their NBA playoff series against the Miami Heat. The Knicks never really threatened the Heat, as the Heat cruised to a 104-94 victory.

Amar'e Stoudemire inexplicably punched a glass case and injured his left hand. Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

But it was the actions after the game that hurt the Knicks’ chances even more. Stoudemire inexplicably punched a glass case in frustration. He required stitches in his left hand and will likely miss Game 3.

This is the second straight year that Stoudemire has taken himself out of the playoffs. Last season, he injured his back in warm-ups before Game 2 against the Celtics. Now he has done it again. And the Knicks’ playoff hopes may go down with him.

Let’s be realistic. The Knicks are probably not going to beat the Heat, with or without Stoudemire. But as a longtime fan, I want to at least see some progress. I want to see something to build on. Instead, the Knicks look separated. They seem to be playing without a plan or strategy. There’s no identity.

Does the offense run through Carmelo Anthony? What about Stoudemire and the pick-and-roll? Do they need Jeremy Lin back to run the show? Where is the defense? There are too many questions to be answered about the Knicks. And Stoudemire just added a big one to the list.

Maybe the Knicks just need more time together? After all, the Heat are rolling after their Big Three got a full season under their belts. At some point, the Knicks will need some consistency. Players need to stay healthy. The coach has to be settled. The time for adjustments is over. The Knicks have plenty of talent. Now they have to go out and do it.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Jeremy Lin is hoping to return one week sooner than expected. Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

This is a risky proposition for Lin and the Knicks. The Knicks are already without rookie guard Iman Shumpert. Shumpert has been great for the Knicks in his first season in the NBA. But he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Game 1 that will sideline him for six to eight months. Shumpert and Lin are the future for the Knicks. The Knicks can’t afford to lose Lin too.

By the time Game 4 arrives, the Knicks could be in a 3-0 hole. Linsanity won’t be able to save them from that deficit. So the Knicks should keep Lin firmly on the bench in this scenario. And if the Knicks win a game or two by then, then they would have found a way to beat the Heat. Adding Lin to the mix could disrupt things. Besides, there is no chance of a Willis Reed-like comeback. Lin hasn’t played a game in over a month.

Don’t get me wrong. I am a huge fan of Lin. That’s why I think the Knicks should be cautious with him. Putting him on the floor too soon is risky. If Lin re-injures his knee, the Knicks could be without Shumpert and Lin for the next several months. That’s not the way you want to start next season.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Then Woodson did his thing. He righted the ship and oiled the machine. The Knicks are 15-5 since Woodson took over. They are on the verge of clinching a spot in the playoffs.

His record speaks for itself. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. Woodson was placed in a difficult spot and he shined. He has done a terrific coaching job.

Mike Woodson deserves to be the permanent head coach of the Knicks. Credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

He has the Knicks playing harder.

He has the Knicks playing defense.

He fixed Carmelo Anthony and maybe his injured groin too.

He brought the Knicks back to life.

Who knows why the Knicks are playing well all of the sudden? After all, these are the same players that D’Antoni had when he was the coach. Maybe the players respect Woodson more because he played in the NBA? Maybe he is a better communicator? Maybe he knows how to get the most out of his players? Whatever he is doing, it’s working. The Knicks are winning. That’s why the Knicks need to make Woodson the permanent head coach. If not, some other team surely will.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Phil Jackson has never been closer to coaching the New York Knicks. Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Assistant coach Mike Woodson took over for Mike D’Antoni, when D’Antoni resigned yesterday afternoon. Although Woodson coached the Knicks to their first win in seven tries, he is still auditioning for the job. But there is a man who would need no audition. He would be the perfect head coach for the Knicks. That man is Phil Jackson. Jackson may be the final piece of the puzzle for the Knicks.

Proven Winner

Jackson won eleven NBA titles as a head coach. He won two NBA titles as a player. Jackson is a proven winner. No one can question his ability to win. For that reason, Jackson will get immediate respect from his players.

Coaching Stars

Coaching an NBA player is easy. The real challenge is coaching an NBA star. D’Antoni learned this lesson when he allegedly lost control of his locker room. But this is an area where Jackson excels. He has successfully coached the biggest stars the NBA has ever seen, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Jackson would certainly handle Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.

An Offense that Features Players

Jackson’s triangle offense would be a better fit for the Knicks. It would allow the offense to run through their top three players (Tyson Chandler, Anthony and Stoudemire). That would make Anthony happy for sure.

Once a Knick

Jackson spent most of his playing career on the Knicks. In fact, he was on the team when they won their last NBA title in 1973. This would be a nice homecoming for Jackson and another reason why Knicks fans would embrace him.

New York is Special to Him

Jackson has always had a special place in his heart for New York. Now he has an opportunity to fulfill that desire. New York would certainly welcome him with open arms.

Jackson and the Knicks seem to be the perfect match. He would surely win games in New York. The question is whether or not he can bring a championship to New York. I think he can. After all, he has won championship many, many times before.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

1. Are the Knicks going to lose six games in a row?

They’ve dropped their last two against the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. Tonight is their second game in as many nights at the San Antonio Spurs. Then they visit the Milwaukee Bucks (never easy), come home for the division-leading Philadelphia 76ers and travel to Chicago to play the Bulls. What a brutal schedule.

Have teams figured out Jeremy Lin? Picture Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

2. Have teams figured out Jeremy Lin?

After making a big splash in New York, Lin has cooled down. New Jersey Nets guard Deron Williams owned Lin the second time around. Celtics guard Rajon Rondo had his best game of the season against him last Sunday. It looks like teams have adjusted to Lin. Now it is his turn to adjust.

3. Should Baron Davis be the starting point guard?

Davis is healthy now. We all know what he brings to the table. It looks like the Knicks could use some veteran experience at point guard. Maybe Davis should start? That’s why they brought him in.

2. Is Coach Mike D’Antoni playing too many players?

At the start of the season, depth was a concern for Coach D’Antoni. That doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. He went six deep on his bench last night. But what is this doing to the psyche of the starters? They could be upset with the lack of playing time. Which brings me to the next question.

1. What is wrong with Carmelo Anthony?

Anthony is healthy. He has a point guard to run the show. But Anthony is shooting a dismal 29% from the field, 15 percentage points below his career average. The Knicks cannot win with Anthony shooting like that.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
Yahoo! Sports – NBA

The 102-88 loss against the Miami Heat was his worst performance as a starter. Lin scored just eight points on 1 of 11 shooting. He had only three assists along with eight turnovers.

Jeremy Lin had his worst game as a starter against the Miami Heat. Picture Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

But there is a silver lining. If there is a good way to have a bad game, this was it. The Heat are probably the best team in the NBA. They score the most points. Their fast, ball-hawking defense has held opponents to 42% shooting (sixth best). There is no shame in having a bad game against the Heat. They are making everyone look bad right now. But this was good experience for Lin. He’ll be better prepared next time.

Lin set such a high bar for himself with his astounding performances. He was playing on the level of elite NBA point guards. But remember that it took a few years for Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash to become Steve Nash. Lin has started just a few games. Let’s give him a little bit of time to learn the NBA game.

What Lin must do now is put that Harvard education to good use. He needs to learn from each loss and each win. He has to adjust to opposing defenses as they adjust to him. Lin also has to familiarize himself with his teammates. Though he has spoiled us with some great games, keep in mind that he has been a starter for less than a month. Like Coach Mike D’Antoni said, Lin can’t be “Peter Pan every day.” That’s not how the NBA works.

The good news is that the Knicks have the NBA All-Star break to sort things out. With the evolving starting lineup, Lin has been under some serious on-the-job training. But now all the starters are back, and Lin will have some real practice time with them. He will learn how to play with Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire. Opposing defenses won’t be able to key in on Lin the way the Heat did last night. That will stretch the floor for Lin, and make him even more dangerous than before.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
SI.com – NBA
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Tonight, the New York Knicks will try for their sixth win in a row against the Toronto Raptors. They are currently on a season-high five-game winning streak. Much of the credit goes to Jeremy Lin. The undrafted point guard from Harvard has gone from the end of the Knicks’ bench to NBA stardom. Lin is drawing comparisons to Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash. He is carrying the Knicks with his clutch scoring and playmaking abilities.

Tonight’s game will have a new flavor, as Amar’e Stoudemire returns to the lineup. Stoudemire left the team

Amar'e Stoudemire returns to the lineup tonight for the New York Knicks. Picture Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

Lin has been on a blistering pace. He is averaging 28.3 points and 8.3 assists during this winning streak. He can’t possibly keep this up, can he? Will he finally have a bad game tonight against the Raptors? Maybe not. Lin will have plenty of fan support from the strong Asian community in Toronto.

Carmelo Anthony is still on the mend. He could return by the end of the week. There are questions as to whether or not Anthony can gel with the already flowing Knicks offense. Anthony insists that he can.

Things are not going so well for the Raptors. They have lost four of the last five games. They are the fourth-worst scoring team in the NBA at just 88.2 points per game. Their leading scorer Andrea Bargnani is out indefinitely with a calf injury.

In the last meeting between the two teams, the Raptors defeated the Knicks 90-85 at Madison Square Garden. But the Knicks are a very different team now. They are one of the hottest teams in the NBA, playing complete team basketball. The Raptors have won just four home games all season.

The New York Knicks are must-see TV right now. Tipoff is 7:00 pm. Don’t miss it!

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
SI.com – NBA
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

But lost in all of these stories is the biggest one of all: Tyson Chandler. Chandler has quietly become the heart and soul of the Knicks.

Entering this season, the Knicks desperately needed to improve their defense and rebounding. That prompted Knicks owner James Dolan to

Tyson Chandler has added leadership, toughness and character to the New York Knicks. Picture Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

The defense has also seen a huge improvement with Chandler at center. Last season, the Knicks were the third worst defensive team in the league. Now they are an above average defense, giving up just 94 points a game.

Chandler has also provided offense for the Knicks this year. He is third in the team in scoring with 12 points per game. He leads the league among qualified players with a lofty 69.7% field goal percentage. That bests Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard by 13 percentage points.

But the real value of Chandler cannot be captured by statistics. He has added tremendous character, leadership and toughness to the team. Chandler prides himself on defense and rebounding. He plays extremely hard every minute he is on the court, and he has yet to miss a game this season. Chandler has led by example, and he demands the same from his teammates. Despite their struggles this season, you can see that the team is responding to him.

Chandler is having the best season of his career. What a concept for a newly acquired Knicks player? You do not often find 7’1” centers who play the game the way Chandler does. His size, strength, athleticism, leadership and great attitude make him truly unique in the NBA. The Knicks finally have a center, and he will anchor the team for years to come.

While the headlines continue to go to the scorers, Chandler quietly does the dirty work. The next time you are watching a Knicks game, key in on Chandler. Appreciate all that he does for the Knicks. Because without Chandler, the Knicks would be far, far worse.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Jeremy Lin is playing like an MVP. Credit: Nicole Sweet-US PRESSWIRE

Since then, their paths through the NBA have been very different. Wall has started 89 games for the Washington Wizards, averaging 16 points and 8 assists. He is the star of his team, nearly impossible to stop from getting to the basket.

Lin has spent time with the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, but has played sparingly. He has been sent to the NBA Development League several times. Lin has only recently played significant minutes. He made his first start for the New York Knicks two days ago. But his last two games have been incredible. Lin is playing like an MVP.

Tonight, Lin and Wall go head-to-head again. Lin has his work cut out for him this time. The Knicks will again be without Carmelo Anthony (injured groin) and Amar’e Stoudemire (death of his brother). So Lin will have his hands full defending Wall and generating offense. Will Lin outplay Wall this time? Can he carry the Knicks to a third straight win? Tune in tonight to find out.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Now we know what he meant. The Knicks’ offense has been abysmal this season. They are currently the second-worst shooting team in the league, hitting just 41% of their shots. And that number is a bit inflated thanks to the high percentage dunks of Tyson Chandler.

Anthony is the Knicks’ best outside shooter. But early injuries have affected his shooting. Anthony is currently nursing multiple injuries.

With Carmelo Anthony struggling, who will hit an outside shot for the Knicks? Picture Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

Amar’e Stoudemire is a career 53% shooter from the field. But he is only shooting 42% this season. Stoudemire has struggled to score without a proven point guard by his side. Now at the forward position, Stoudemire is having difficulty generating offense against faster defenders.

With Stat and Melo struggling, the Knicks have no consistent scorer from the outside. None. For that reason, opposing teams are defending the paint and daring the Knicks to shoot from the perimeter. The Knicks are getting plenty of open looks. They’re just not hitting them.

Someone has to step up for the Knicks, but who? Rookie point guard Iman Shumpert has been great defensively, but he is shooting just 36% from the field. Guard Landry Fields has bounced back in recent games, but he is not the consistent outside scorer the Knicks need. Backup point guard Toney Douglas can shoot the ball. However, this season he is shooting a mere 32% from the field.

So who does that leave? Exactly, no one. The Knicks have no outside threat right now, and opposing defenses have noticed. Other teams don’t respect the Knicks’ outside shot, nor should they. They are taking away transition baskets and scoring in the paint. They are forcing the Knicks to try to win games with what they do worst.

Somebody has to step up for the Knicks the way Shawne Williams did last season. They must find perimeter scoring from somewhere. Maybe Anthony gets healthy and starts shooting the lights out? Maybe Douglas finds his shot again? Or maybe Baron Davis comes in and saves the day with shooting and passing? We can only hope. Until then, the Knicks will continue to be easy to defend, and they will continue to lose.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
SI.com – NBA
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Amar’e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler

Stoudemire, Anthony and Chandler are the Knicks’ current incantation of the Big Three. These three players have a chance

Tyson Chandler has fit in nicely with the New York Knicks. Picture credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Patrick Ewing, John Starks and Charles Oakley

Growing up, it was all about Ewing, Starks and Oakley for me. The Ewing years were one of the best runs in franchise history. From 1987 to 2000, Ewing led the Knicks to 13 straight playoff appearances. In 1996, Ewing was selected as one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players. His sidekick was power forward Charles Oakley. Oakley was the perfect counterpart for Ewing. He gave the Knicks defense, rebounding and muscle. He did the dirty work. Oakley made it easier for Ewing to lead the team, be the focal point of the offense and defend. Starks was not a star in the NBA, but he had some great moments. He was an emotional leader for the Knicks, a crowd pleaser. When Starks got hot, the Knicks were practically unbeatable. Unfortunately, he got cold too. His streaky shooting (2 out of 18) cost them in Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals. Many feel that Ewing never had enough talent around him to win a title. But the Knicks were very successful with Ewing, Starks and Oakley. If it were not for Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, who knows how many NBA titles they might have won?

Willis Reed, Walt Frazier and Dave DeBusschere

Reed, Frazier and DeBusschere are the greatest Knicks trio of all time. There may never be a group like them on the Knicks. Together, they brought home two NBA Titles (1970, 1973). Reed, Frazier and DeBusschere were great players that were even greater together. When Earl Monroe joined the team in 1971, the Knicks had four future Hall of Famers. They also had four of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players.

I was too young to really appreciate the Knicks teams of the 70s. The talent and synergy on that team accomplished greatness. Stoudemire, Anthony and Chandler have a chance to be great too. But if they are going achieve similar success, they must figure out how to play together. Now.

Who is your favorite Knicks Big Three? Leave a comment below.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Chandler has been great for the Knicks. He is averaging close to ten points and ten rebounds a game. That is just above his career average in both categories. Chandler has fit in nicely with the team. He has been a strong presence in the middle, on both ends of the floor.

Anthony has been doing what he does best: score. He is right at his career averages with 25.7 points and 6.8 rebounds a game.

Then there is Stoudemire. The third piece of the New York Big Three has not fit in so well this

Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire are still learning to play together.

Chandler is clearly not the problem. He has been a major boost for the Knicks. His inside game complements all the players well. The problem lies with Anthony and Stoudemire. Their games can be mirror images at times. They sometimes take the same jump shots, from the same spots on the floor. When the ball goes to one of them, it often stays there. That stalls the offense and makes it predictable. Stoudemire and Anthony have not been effective together.

There are some definitive ways to fix the synergy between Stat and Melo.

Anthony and Stoudemire must learn to defer to one another. Each of them is a threat to score. They need to take advantage of that and find each other with the pass.

The Knicks must establish inside scoring with Chandler. That will stretch the floor and lead to open looks for both Stoudemire and Anthony.

Anthony and Stoudemire could work on the pick-and-roll. Stoudemire is very familiar with the play. Anthony can pass and shoot. All of the elements are there, so why not do it? It would at the very least teach them to trust each other on the floor.

But the most important thing Anthony and Stoudemire can do is stop worrying about individual statistics. The only statistic that matters is wins. It does not matter if they both score 30 points, one of them reaches 30 or neither of them does. The win is the most important thing. If Anthony and Stoudemire can buy into that, the wins will come and their scoring will too.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:
NBA Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

At the time of the trade, both teams were satisfied.  The Knicks shipped four starters to the Nuggets,

Did the New York Knicks give up too much for Carmelo Anthony?

including Timofey Mozgov, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari and Raymond Felton.  In return, the Nuggets sent Chauncey Billups, Renaldo Balkman, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and of course Carmelo Anthony to New York.

Former Knicks Gallinari and Mozgov now start for the Nuggets.  The Nuggets traded Felton for veteran point guard Andre Miller.  On the other hand, the Knicks have made little use of their pieces from Denver (aside from Anthony).  Billups was let go to make room for center Tyson Chandler.  Renaldo Balkman is on the bench in a reserve role.  Shelden Williams and Anthony Carter are no longer on the roster.

Since the trade, the Nuggets have thrived while the Knicks have struggled.  The Nuggets are playing well this season.  They hold an 11-5 record and are on a three-game winning streak.   The Knicks are heading in the opposite direction.  They are three games below .500.  The Knicks have lost five games in a row, including an embarrassing 100-86 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks last night at the Garden.  It was their low point of the season.

And it can get worse for the Knicks.  The former Knicks, now playing for the Nuggets, could really demoralize them by winning tonight.  The Nuggets are flying high, while the Knicks seem to be at square one.  A loss by the Knicks would be further evidence that the Nuggets got the better end of the Anthony trade.  If you thought the Knicks gave up too much for Anthony, stand up and shout “I told you so!”

The Knicks’ main problem this season has been offense.  Last season, they were second in the league in scoring.  This season they are 17th.  Ironcially, it is the Nuggets who are second in the league in scoring this season.  The problem lies at one position:  point guard.  The Knicks do not have a solid point guard to orchestrate their offense.  Rookie Iman Shumpert has played well, but he is still a rookie.  The Knicks need Baron Davis on the court.  When healthy, Davis is an elite point guard.  The offense will improve with Davis on the floor.  It has to improve.  If not, it could be a horrible season for the Knicks.  It could be a horrible few years ahead too.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City.  He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:

NBA Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

When healthy, Davis is an elite point guard in the National Basketball Association (NBA).  He brings playmaking abilities and

When healthy, Baron Davis is one of the best point guards in the NBA.

leadership to the floor.  But it is his experience at the point guard position that the Knicks desperately need.

The Knicks started this season with Toney Douglas at the point but quickly abandoned that project.  Veteran Mike Bibby has played well at times, but he is not the player he used to be.  Rookie Iman Shumpert took over the starting job and has made some dazzling plays.  But the offense still seems unsettled.

Three different players have auditioned for the role.  None of them have emerged as the immediate solution.  Lack of continuity at the point guard position has greatly affected the offense.

Soon the Knicks will have to adjust yet again.  But they will gladly do that for Davis.  Davis is a proven point guard.  He can run an offense, find teammates and add offense of his own.  Another adjustment period is coming, but they have to do it.

So who will be the odd man out for the Knicks?

One option is to move Shumpert to the bench.  The rookie has been a capable point guard so he can spell Davis when needed.  Shumpert would also be a spark off the bench with his energy, defensive intensity and scoring.

Another choice is to relegate Landry Fields.  Fields was the steal of the draft last season.  However, he struggled toward the end of the year and has not been the same player since.  Moving Fields to the bench could ease the pressure and allow him to find his shot again.

Whatever the Knicks decide, the season of adjustments will continue.  It will take some time before these Knicks come together and play to their potential.  They will eventually develop chemistry.  Will it happen this season?  Only time will tell.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City.  He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:

NBA Statistics – Yahoo! Sports

Melo still Mending?

Carmelo Anthony missed the last game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a sprained right ankle.  His status for today is unclear.  Anthony may not be 100%, but I think he will play at some point in this annual classic.

Shump Shump Shooting

Rookie Iman Shumpert has played extremely well for the Knicks this season.  But Shump has shot just 26% (8 out of 30) in his last two games.  Maybe overconfidence is starting to be a problem?

Chandler vs. Howard

The Knicks will have their hands full against Magic center Dwight Howard.  Howard is averaging 20.5 points and 15.2 rebounds a game this season.  He is hitting 58.6% of his shots.  The defensive task is largely up to Knicks center Tyson Chandler.  Chandler has truly strengthened the interior defense.  This battle alone will be worth the price of admission.

Defensive Efficiency vs. Offensive Power

The Knicks are currently eighth in the league in defensive efficiency.  You heard it right.  The Knicks are playing defense this season.  But they have a tough task ahead of them.  The Magic are second in the league in three-point percentage at 40.9%.  They are also making the most three-pointers per game (10).  The Knicks are second-worst in defending the three.

End of Two Streaks?

There are two streaks on the line today.  The Magic come in on a three-game winning streak.  The Knicks have dropped their last two.  It would be nice to see both of these streaks end today.

Enjoy the game!  It should be a good one, I hope.

Edwin Torres was born in New York City.  He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing.  For more Knicks coverage, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.

Sources:

NBA – Statistics – Yahoo! Sports