The New York Knicks remain the only unbeaten team in the NBA after a 10-point win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
The Knicks are now 4-0 as star player Carmelo ‘Melo’ Anthony led the way against the Mavericks, scoring 31 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
Off the bench, JR Smith contributed with an outstanding 22 points.
The Knicks have improved their best start to a season in almost two decades, but who would have thought it would happen?
Since the departure of young sensation Jeremy Lin – who brought the Knicks back into the media spotlight – New York appeared to have dropped the ball.
They had lost a point guard phenomenon, a promising coach Mike D’Antoni and all of a sudden they weren’t the big hype on TV anymore.
Though the ‘Knicksbockers’ would be content on being ‘Linless’ this season, rather than winless, the boys in the Big Apple have plenty of reason this season to jump and shout.
First of all, there is five time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony. Melo is dominating the score board hitting at least 30 points twice and with at least 21 points in all four games so far. Just three games into the season he averaged 26 points per game.
Melo has rid of his ball-stopping offense and has been providing dominance across both ends of the floor. If he continues his impeccable form and intensity, it won’t be too long before he hits a 40-point plateau soon enough.
The Knicks have also changed their offensive game, no longer focusing on big shot players to do all the work. The Knicks are now playing team basketball, racking up dimes across the team playing list.
Point guards Raymond Felton and veteran Jason Kidd provide the majority of assists. Classy Kidd is valuable to the team providing not just assists, but outstanding steals, as well as a few handy 3-pointers and rebounds.
Felton is averaging 12.3 points per game and has the ability to spread the floor and find open shooters. A crucial source for assists and effective ball movement, Felton has the consistency to help players like Melo and Smith find space and clear shots.
Combined Felton and Kidd can give the Knicks at least 11 assists and 20 points on any given day.
A big factor that the Knicks can celebrate – will be the return of Amar’e Stoudemire. Although the powerhouse forward has missed plenty of floor time due to an ailing left knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery, the Knicks could do with his powerful presence in the post.
The All Star big man averaged 17.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in the 2011-2012 season. Though it may take some time before Stoudemire will play in mint condition again, fans definitely have something to look forward to in his return.
The only concern now is how his return will affect Melo’s game.
JR Smith, Marcus Camby, Tyson Chandler and Steve Novak also compliment the Knicks line-up, Camby and Chandler can provide rebounds and blocks with their eyes closed, while Smith and Novak are a consistent source of points and effective shots beyond the arc.
With the form the Knicks are currently in, Jeremy Lin would have to be a distant memory now for most fans. The new look Knicks are back in the spotlight, this time for even better reason – a quality all rounded team and incredibly strong start to the season.
How far can these Knicks go?
RebelRanger
Guest
6-0. Passed the 2nd big test and the third one comes tomorrow in the form of the Grizzlies. Can't wait for tomorrow. Such a clutch performance in the 4th today.
melo-drama
Guest
Top 4 easy man, it's not a streak dont think like that........ I watched the boys close out tonight and Defence is key for the Knicks as long as they do that better then anyone we are a top 2 team in the east, but we got Stat coming back so our Eff will go from +15 to like + 3 and Melo hit it with 0.4 on the clock lol!!
RebelRanger
Guest
I'm just happy with the streak. 5-0, hopefully the boys can keep this effort up and finish in a top 4 placing going into playoffs
melo-drama
Guest
Ryan have you even watched JR playing in the past few games, sure a guy can get a rep but JR has done so many things to better it especially this season. Spurs at home is the key for me purely because they can't be beaten at home..... Z-Bo V Melo is pretty clear cut, you got an unathletic guy defending melo (who can go around him just)..... on defence though you got Wallace and Camby (both excellent post defenders) you can run with to halt the two big men outside of melo and chandler so I don't see memphis being as much of an issue as San An purely because San An know how to win at home..... Miami could care less about regular season they only care about the playoffs its the same as last year if they want to win they'll win other wise just make sure your in the top 4...... Miami-Memphis game im not going to watch because there isn't anything i'll be able to pick out that is a key to Miami's O/D that isn't already known..... Either Way friday and Saturday will clear some dying questions for Knicks fans, win one or the other? i'm sure we can agree on that......
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Considering Memphis smashed the Heat today, that could be a touch game. And if Melo playes the 4, he'll have to guard Z-Bo, which could be tough. I think you'll pump Orlando, squeeze past the Spurs, but lose the Memphis. (And shot selection has nothing to do with fg%)
melo-drama
Guest
You can't even stand by your Lakers predictions Ryan who are you to comment on the Almighty Knicks or the fact JR is averaging 17.5 and above 0.500% from the field we can beat Orlando the back to back against the Spurs and Memphis is going to be testing...... We'll beat Orlando and then lose to San An, the money is if they can turn it round against memphis, that will be the turning point in my eyes..... What are your thoughts?
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
You think I'm going to run from my comments after 4 games? Haha! The egg can only be placed on my face at the end of the season. Until then, I stand by my comments 100%. I agree, the return of Stoudemire is key for this team. He may take them to another level, which would be impressive considering their start. Or he may ruin the chemistry, flow and momentum the team has built up, especially on the offensive end.
melo-drama
Guest
While I can understand why people would be excited to get STAT back I unfrotunately am not looking forward to it at all. Knicks are playing great small ball at the moment their pass first mentality is exciting to watch and their defence is up their with the best in the league, they are all just clicking. We are still yet to see what the unclickiest player on this teams attitude will be like when he returns, we caught a glimpse of STAT clicking with the Knicks in game 4 of the play off series against the Heat and it was awesome. But the next game he zoned right out. I've been impressed with how the team has stepped up, first and foremost JR Smiths surprising maturity on the floor while he isn't starting just yet he has had an awe of leadership about him during his minutes. Melo got into foul trouble early against the Mavericks and while last year the Knicks would have imploded JR quietly got it done on both ends of the court. Felton, Prigioni and Kidd are all handy additions and im going to come out and make a big call with this Knicks line up there is not first team. People come out and say their old and past it and their offseason was abysmal (Ryan) but they are all yet to be proven right lets just see how it all plays out. While it's a great start to the Knicks they still have alot to prove interms of rebounding from a loss and grinding out wins. But it isw the perfect start and pretty much what I was expecting from this team.
Ridley
Guest
Very happy with the Knicks play and results so far this season. Schedule has helped their older team, cancelled game vs Nets plus gaps between most other games, but have got some good wins over decent teams. Iman Shumpert hopefully back in Jan as well to add some intensity to the defence. Ronnie Brewer contributing well too.