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Games Guy | February 6, 2012

After making some drastic moves the last year, the Knicks have one of the league’s most intriguing teams. The Knicks added All-Star forward Amare Stoudemire last year and traded for Carmelo Anthony at the trade cut-off point last season to make a solid one-two punch. The Knicks had their first winning season since 2000-2001 and made the postseason for the 1st time since 2003-04 season. They were consequently swept in the 1st round by the Celtics though, as key injuries depleted an otherwise talented team in the playoffs.

The Knicks dealt away the majority of its youth in Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov to bring in Billups and Anthony to New York. This offseason, they made far more of a splash to try to compete in the all of a sudden improving Eastern Conference as soon as this season. They amnestied Billups during the offseason, let go of a burst of role players in Ronny Turiaf, Anthony Carter, Shawne Williams, Shelden Williams and a couple of others while getting Tyson Chandler thru trade, Mike Bibby through free agency and Iman Shumpert in the draft. They also got Baron Davis from amnesty waivers for the vet minimum.

This team is definitely centered around Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire. Anthony is one of the NBA’s best pure scorers in the game. He contributed 26.3 points and 6.7 boards in 27 contests with New York, but truly showed his worth in the playoffs. Stoudemire put up 25 points and 8.2 boards a game in his first year with the Knicks. These two players can be one of the finest pairs in the NBA on offense, but the question is whether they can make a contribution on the defensive side of the floor.

One guy that will make a huge difference for New York defensively is defensive stud Tyson Chandler. Chandler was a key part in the Mavericks championship win last season and he will try to implant the same sort of defense and discipline in this primarily offensive-minded team. The Knicks most important concern this season is their lack of depth on the inside. Jared Jeffries and Josh Harellson aren’t precisely solid rotation guys.

For the Knicks to be an elite force in the Eastern Conference, 3rd year point guard Toney Douglas and second year shooting guard Landry Fields need to step up massively. While Bibby might be given the starting job, the majority of the minutes should be given to Douglas until Davis returns from injury later in the season. Douglas put up 10.6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists off the bench last season, and should Douglas get better, he would give a massive boost for a Knick team desperate for good point guard play. Fields started 81 games last year and he averaged 9.7 points and 6.4 rebounds as a rookie. He was one of the finest rebounding guards in the game but struggled late in the year after the arrival of Anthony. They expect Fields to play better this year but he is not going to get plenty of shots with Anthony and Stoudemire on the squad.

Shumpert’s main job on the squad will be for his play on the defensive end. Shumpert is an impressive outside defender who could see plenty of time if the Knicks select a more defensive-oriented lineup.

Prediction: 2nd Eastern Conference Atlantic Division – With my NBA predictions I think the Knicks are definitely a team to watch out for this season. One of their largest flaws however is their lack of depth all over the court. Their defense is also a huge question mark and whether Mike d’Antoni can play a more defensive minded philosophy. Offensively, this team will score a lot but unless they improve defensively, they will have a difficult time winning playoff games come April and May. If they add more pieces off the bench, they could contend for the division title and a deeper run in the playoffs, but as it stands they are likely heading for the 4th or 5th seed in the East.

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Tags: Amare Stoudemire, Anthony Carter, Baron Davis, basketball, Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Celtics, Conce, Danilo Gallinari, Mike Bibby, Nba, New York, new york knick, New York Knicks, Offseason, Raymond Felton, Ronny Turiaf, Season Preview, Shawne Williams, Shelden Williams, Shumpert, Talented Team, Tyson Chandler, Wilson Chandler

Games Guy | February 6, 2012

Following the catastrophic record of 12-70 they had two years back, New Jersey felt a little relieved to double their win total last season. Although 24 victories isn’t a large number, and they were still among the bottom feeders of the Eastern Conference, a sliver of hope was seen in Jersey when they traded for Deron Williams last season. As it stands, New Jersey will only be able to re-sign Deron Williams if they are able to deal for Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard.

While everyone waits to determine if a deal will be made, the real question in everyone’s mind now is how competitive will New Jersey be if they can’t make a trade. Williams is one of the best point guards in all of the NBA and one of the most underrated players in the NBA today. Deron has shown that he is an all around superstar. He can score 20 points, dish out 10 plus assists and bring down 4-5 rebounds night in and night out. Also he is an able defender and a established leader. Though New Jersey may not have a very talented squad, Williams won with similar team in Utah for years.

Though the pairing of Howard and Williams would be a perilous combination, a Lopez-Williams tandem can be interesting as well. Lopez averaged a career high 20.4 points/game last season and actually came on strong by the end of the season, scoring 27 plus points in five of his last 6 games. With a full season, Lopez can only improve with Williams by his side. After the injury on Brooke Lopez, the Nets were able to trade for Mehmet Okur and he is going to be the team’s starting Center.

The remainder of the starting five is where people start to become worried. Anthony Morrow is about to be the starting SG for the Nets. Although he put up 13.2 points in 58 games last year, he wouldn’t be a starter on a good team. He might be a major contributor in Jersey, especially since Williams can make everybody around him better.

After waiving Travis Outlaw in the offseason, the Nets may start sophomore SF Damion James. Their also getting back Kris Humphries as the starting power forward. Players in the rotation that can be given significant minutes will be Johan Petro, Sheldon Williams and Shawne Williams, both of which can start if necessary.

For the Nets to be competitive and fight for a postseason berth in the East, they are going to want their rookies to give them enormous minutes off the bench. Marshon Brooks figures to see plenty of time at the 2-guard, while Jordan Williams will see a little time playing behind Lopez.

Pick: 4th Eastern Conference Atlantic Division – While a slot in the playoffs is possible, the Nets need to play really well with the current roster that they have. If they can somehow get Dwight Howard then watch out and all NBA predictions on the team need to be thrown out the window. Otherwise, the team will have a hard time winning lots of games with this roster, they ought to be able to keep games a load more close than they have the previous 2 seasons.

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Tags: Assists, basketball, Bottom Feeders, Contributor, Damion James, Deron Williams, Dish, Dwight Howard, Mehmet Okur, Nba, new jersey, New Jersey Nets, Offseason, Orlando Magic, Rebounds, Remainder, Sg, Sliver, Sophomore, Talented Squad, Tandem, Travis Outlaw