I just want to start off by saying that the New York Knicks are ranked 12^th overall and 19^th on offense, meanwhile they are ranked 5^th on defense. Yeah I don’t understand either. The Nets also beat them on Opening night in Brooklyn.

May 9, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of game five in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Miami Heat of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena. Miami won 106-94. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Knicks Final Stats:

Carmelo Anthony – 28 PPG 6 RPG

Amar’e Stoudemire – 21.5 PPG 7.2 RPG

Iman Shumpert 13.1 PPG

J.R. Smith – 11.3 PPG

Raymond Felton – 8.3 PPG 3.1 APG

Jason Kid 6.6 PPG 7.5 APG

Tyson Chandler 3.5 PPG 9.4 RPG 1.8 BPG

As expected, Carmelo Anthony has a huge scoring year finishing third in the league just behind Team USA teammates Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Amar’e Stoudemire gets back to form scoring 21 a game. This might foreshadow the Knicks offensive problems this season, but after Melo and STAT, the Knicks will have trouble finding another consistent high scorer. Shumpert will be the 3^rd leading scorer with 13 right in front of JR Smith’s 11 per game. This is a solid number for the duo but one of them will have to score a little more a game so the Knicks have another legit scoring threat.

Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd do what is expected of them and serve as a solid point guard duo. Nothing special here but Felton would need to at least double his assists if he wants to be considered a success as Jason Kidd could score a little more. I think Chandler will score more than 3.5 points a game but his defense will be just on point again and make everyone on the defense better.

Season Awards:

MVP – LeBron James – 25 PPG 8 RPG 5 APG

Rookie of the Year – Anthony Davis – 14 PPG 10 RPG 2 BPG

Feb. 15, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks point guard Toney Douglas (23) dribbles the ball during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 100-85. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

Sixth Man – Toney Douglas – 10 PPG 3 APG

Defensive Player of the Year – Dwight Howard-11 RPG 2 BPG

Coach of the Year – Eric Spoelsta 64-18

All-NBA First Team

Brandon Jennings – 22 PPG 9 APG

Russell Westbrook 28.4 PPG 6 APG (Scoring Champion)

LeBron James – 25 PPG 8 RPG 5 APG

Kevin Durant – 28.1 PPG 9 RPG

Dwight Howard – 21 PPG 11 RPG

All-NBA Second Team

Kyrie Irving – 25 PPG 7 APG

Kobe Bryant 25 PPG 5 APG

Josh Smith – 21 PPG 9 RPG

Kevin Love – 24 PPG 12 RPG

DeMarcus Cousins – 18 PPG 10 RPG

All-NBA Third Team

Deron Williams – 22 PPG 8 APG

Monta Ellis – 23 PPG 6 APG

Danny Granger – 23 PPG 6 APG

Blake Griffin 18 PPG 12 RPG (Rebound Leader)

Al Jefferson – 20 PPG 9 RPG

All-Defense First Team

Dwyane Wade

Paul George

Kevin Durant

Paul Millsap

Dwight Howard

All-Defense Second Team

Kobe Bryant

Stephen Curry

Josh Smith

Tyrus Thomas

Anthony Davis

July 17, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters (3) drives to the basket as Phoenix Suns forward Matt Howard (54) defends during the game at the Thomas and Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

All-Rookie First Team

Damian Lillard – 15 PPG 6 APG

Dion Waiters – 15 PPG 4 APG

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist – 14 PPG 7 RPG

Thomas Robison – 11 PPG 10 RPG

Anthony Davis – 14 PPG 10 RPG

All-Rookie Second Team

Bradley Beal – 13 PPG

Austin Rivers – 8 PPG

Terrence Ross – 7 PPG

Jeremy Lamb – 7 PPG

Harrison Barnes – 12 PPG 6 RPG

There were a few surprises in these season awards. No Derrick Rose, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, James Harden, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, or Rajon Rondo on any of these teams. The MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year were very predictable but Toney Douglas winning the Sixth Man of the Year award makes my jaw drop. Brandon Jennings had a break out year as Russell Westbrook over took Durant’s 3-year reign as scoring champion.

Let’s take at the Playoff Picture:

 Eastern Conference:

1. Miami Heat – 64-18 (NBA Best Record)
2. Chicago Bulls – 55-27
3. Milwaukee Bucks – 48-34
4. New York Knicks – 45-37
5. Brooklyn Nets 42-40
6. Indiana Pacers – 42-40
7. Washington Wizards 42-40
8. Philadelphia 76ers – 38-44

There were a few surprises here. The Bucks not only making the playoffs but also being a top team in the east. Jennings and Ellis lead this team to a great season. The Washington Wizards also took a big step by making the playoffs. The Boston Celtics failed to make the playoffs after losing Ray Allen, as did the Atlanta Hawks after losing Joe Johnson. New York basketball gets its dreams come true as the Knicks and Nets square off in round one.

 Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder – 61-21
2. Los Angeles Lakers 55-27
3. Denver Nuggets – 53-29
4. Memphis Grizzlies – 46-26
5. Los Angeles Clippers 48-34
6. Phoenix Suns 45-37
7. Minnesota Timberwolves 44-38
8. Sacramento Kings 42-40

No surprise with the Thunder and Lakers taking the top two spots in the West. Nuggets, Grizzlies, and Clippers are right where they are projected to be as the Suns, Timberwolves, and Kings all take huge strides and surprise people by making the playoffs. It is pretty amazing how the Spurs missed the playoffs after they finished with the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed last season. The Mavericks and Jazz also fail to make the playoffs after making it in 2012.

First Round Results

East:

Heat over 76ers 4-2

Nets over Knicks 4-1

Bucks over Pacers 4-3

Wizards over Bulls 4-2

Miami winning was the only predictable first-round series. Milwaukee in a 7 game series over the Pacers seems like some tough-nosed basketball. The Wizards beating the Bulls is a huge upset as the Bulls failed to have playoff success and exit in the first round two years in a row. With all this, the Nets beating the Knicks in five games on the Garden’s floor has to be the story here. Bragging rights and the shift in New York basketball could be changed forever.

West:

May 20, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) dribbles the ball during game four of the Western Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at the Staples Center. The Spurs defeated the Clippers 102-99 to win the series 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Thunder over Kings 4-0

Clippers over Grizzlies 4-2

Nuggets over Suns 4-3

Lakers over Timberwolves 4-0

All higher seeds win here as the dream ends for the Suns, Timberwolves, and Kings. The young Wolves and Kings get some playoff experience but aren’t much for the powerhouse Thunder and Lakers. Clippers beat the Grizzlies just like last season as the Suns push the Nuggets to 7 but fail to complete the upset.

Semi-Final Results:

East:

Heat over Nets 4-3

Bucks 4-1 over Wizards

Knicks fans have wait another whole year to have their shot against the Heat, but they don’t have to go far to watch. The Brooklyn Nets almost pull off the historic upset by losing to the Heat in seven games. LeBron likes Jay-Z but not enough to give his Nets a shot at the championship. The Bucks and Wizards square off as two teams that weren’t picked to make the conference championship. The Bucks take care of the Wizards early and now will try to pull off the ultimate upset as their small market team takes on the big bad Miami Heat.

West:

Lakers over Nuggets 4-3

Clippers over Nuggets 4-2

The Lakers face the Nuggets in the playoffs for the second year in a row and once again beat them in seven games. The Thunder will try to have another playoff repeat if they can beat the Clippers to face the Lakers again, but the Clippers get it together as the NBA Championship will defiantly be played in the Staples Center; the only question is which tenant will playing for the ultimate prize? A Nets-Knicks first round matchup would be huge the NBA but a LA-LA Western Championship would have the NBA drooling. Let the Battle of Los Angeles begin.

Conference Finals Results:

Clippers over Lakers 4-3

Bucks over Heat 4-2

We’ll start off in Milwaukee where the Bucks pull of the all-tie underdog story in beating the Miami Heat. The Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis experiment works off, as the Bucks will be playing the NBA championship for the first time since the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar days. The Battle of L.A. couldn’t be more exciting as Game 7 would be an instant NBA classic. The Lakers were up 3-1 in the series and just couldn’t put the Clippers away as the Clips tilt the basketball world and beat the Lakers in seven.

2013 NBA Finals: The Underdog Story

Might be only a video game simulation, but the impact of a Clippers-Bucks NBA Finals matchup would be something the NBA hasn’t seen in a long time. Almost every year the Finals have included a marquee franchise or an early season favorite. The Clippers were supposed to be very good but not NBA Finals good. The Bucks would be happy to make the playoffs, but beating the Heat and playing in the Eastern Conference Finals would shock the world. The underdogs of the world would be rooting for them and Brandon Jennings would vault into superstardom (and a huge payday).

The Clippers continue with their huge momentum and stop the Bucks train in their tracks. The Clippers win the series 4-1 as Chris Paul wins Finals MVP honors. The best point guard in the league doesn’t need any regular season honors, as he’ll easily take a championship ring and Finals MVP trophy over making an All-NBA team.

Apr 28, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of game one in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the Miami Heat of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Carmelo Anthony – 92 (2K12 Rating: 91)

Carmelo has solidified himself as one of the best players in the league. He can do it all on the offensive side of the ball and showed off his skills to the entire world at the Olympics. I don’t have the specific ratings for categories, but you have to imagine most of his offensive categories are all A’s. He can hit the 3, money at mid-range, and is a bully down in the post. I think his rating would be 95 or higher if he played better defense and had more assists, but hey can’t complain about an upgrade in rating.

Amar’e Stoudemire – 84 (212K Rating: 88)

I would say Stoudemire’s rating is pretty fair. He had a bad season but his standards but is still one of the best power forward’s out there. He needs to prove a lot to the fans and his teammates this year. He was dominant in the post before he was injured and I believe he will be back to peak form. He hasn’t been the same since Carmelo came to town, but an 84 rating is right where he should be coming off last year.

Jason Kidd – 80 (2K12 Rating: 77)

Jason Kidd is a first ballot Hall of Famer and is in the top 5 point guards of all time discussion. He will be turning 40 this season, which will be his 19th in the league. Age will definitely play a factor in his play, but there’s no denying he can still play point guard. He still has the natural skills of a ball handler and a leader. I can’t explain his upgrade of rating but I’m not complaining.

Iman Shumpert – 80 (2K12 Rating: 78)

Iman Shumpert showed when he was healthy that he is one of the best on ball defenders in the league. As a rookie Shump had his up and downs on the offensive side of the ball. With Raymond Felton and Jason Kidd aboard, Shump will dedicate his time to only playing the 2 position. Iman can shoot the three and isn’t afraid of contact when he drives to the rim. His upgraded rating is defiantly deserved as he was one of the league’s impact rookies and is a freak athlete.

Tyson Chandler – 77 (2K12 Rating: 77)

Is 2K seeing something we are not? Tyson is coming off his defensive player of the year season on top of shutting down the Heat in the Finals with the Mavericks the year before. I know the guy isn’t the best offensive big man, but he had one of the best field goal percentage seasons of all time last year. I know it was mostly dunks, but that has to count for something right? Brook Lopez is an 80 while Chandler is an 77. That’s a joke, Lopez barely played. This rating is straight out terrible and I believe he should be at least over an 83.

J.R. Smith – 75 (2K12 Rating: 74)

This rating seems about right for the Knicks only current healthy shooting guard. J.R. Is very inconsistent but when he is on his game; he is an above average scorer in this league. He loves to shoot which can either give his team a big boost or kill them. Smith has a good three point ball and isn’t a bad defender. 2K was on point with Smith.

Here’s a look at how the game rated the five predicted New York Knicks starters, plus Iman Shumpert. Although the game released rankings for six players, potential starters Raymond Felton and Ronnie Brewer’s rankings weren’t released as of yet.

Apr 28, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert (21) during the first half of game one in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Here’s a look at how the six Knicks players ranked.

Carmelo Anthony 92

Amar’e Stoudemire 84

Jason Kidd 80

Iman Shumpert 80

Tyson Chandler 77

J.R. Smith 75

Looking at Anthony first, a 92 could be viewed as a bit high, especially considering ‘Melo is coming off a pair of down years by his standards. NBA stars who have a higher rating than Anthony (of the players released) include: Dwight Howard (95), Kobe Bryant (93), LeBron James (98), Dwyane Wade (93) Kevin Durant (94), Chris Paul (94) and of course Michael Jordan (99).

Stoudemire’s seems about right, but if he has a bounce back season as expected, then it could prove to be way too low.

Chandler is a guy I figured would be in the 83-85 range as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, so I have an issue with his being a bit low as well.

The other three I guess are about right. Kidd could be a bit high as a 40-year old who had a bad year shooting the basketball, but Smith and Shumpert are close to accurate.

As more Knicks’ players ratings are released for the popular 2K13 game, we will have the updates. That’s the best alternative as fans wait for the game to be released.

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