The New York Knicks are Back and They Will Go as Far as Their Star Carmelo Anthony
The New York Knicks are back in the playoffs for the first-time since 2002. It's been a grueling nine years for some of the most dedicated fans in the league.
But that's all ancient history now. The Knicks are relevant again and they have a legit superstar in Carmelo Anthony.
?Melo has played in 27 games for the Knicks and the results have been pretty impressive. He has averaged 26.3 points while shooting 46 percent from the field. It took some tough losses along the way but he has fit in nicely and the recent numbers are the proof in the pudding.
In the seven game winning streak to close the season (we won?t count the last meaningless game of he season against the Celtics), ?Melo scored 31 points on 49 percent shooting. He is getting more comfortable in head coach Mike D'Antoni offense and has become more selective and efficient in his shot attempts.
But now it's the playoffs and the intensity has been ratcheted up ten fold.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith outlines the rocky road ahead for 'Melo against the Celtics:
?Somehow, some way, Anthony is going to have to rely on something other than isolations, pick-and-rolls or the Knicks trying to spread the floor for him. At some point, because of Boston's defense, he'll have to figure out a way to exploit Pierce and newly acquired Jeff Green relatively quickly, before the Celtics have a chance to set their defense against him. And even when that is working, there will still be double-teams thrown at him, plus a defense that will be so locked in that it'll be difficult for Anthony to break a sweat without Boston's permission.?
Must read on the top 25 questions as we enter the playoffs.
The Celtics are going to place all of their attention on ?Melo and it?s up to him to make the right pass in traffic and stay calm when he is being harassed by a pesky Celtics defense.
Anthony has proven that he can lead a team as far as the Conference Finals, but that isn't the expectation of Knick fans.
They are aware this whole process isn't complete and a first-round exit is likely. New York has some of the smartest fans in the world and that is a big benefit for 'Melo this year.
He is going to have a 4-15 shooting game against Boston at some point. He is also going to put up a 40-point masterpiece in front of the home crowd as well. But the Celtics have far too much experience and depth to lose to a team that has played together for less than two months.
Expect an exciting series, but expect a 4-2 Boston victory.
January Jones Christina DaRe Malin Akerman Melissa Joan Hart Bianca Kajlich
No comments:
Post a Comment