NBA Power Rankings: Miami Heat Still No. 1?
By Wes Goldberg
No. 11: New York Knicks
May 7, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots a free throw against the Indiana Pacers during the first half in game two of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
Q: The New York Knicks all the way down (up?) at No. 11? Why?
A: Because they resigned J.R. Smith, and as long as Carmelo Anthony plays like J.R. Smith, then they have two J.R. Smiths.
I would rather have two J.R.R. Tolkiens read The Hobbit to me over and over than watch J.R. Smith and J.R. Anthony ruin offensive sets and take terrible shots for 48 minutes.
The Andrea Bargnani trade, as weird as it was, was actually pretty good. The team wasn’t using and didn’t need Steve Novak or Marcus Camby, and Bargnani might be able to do some of the things Amar’e Stoudemire used to do. Add rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. and free agent Metta World Piece to the mix, and the team is, well, good. On paper.
I said the Knicks needed a true small forward and they got one by signing MWP. A lineup of Ray Felton, Iman Shumpert, MWP, Melo and Tyson Chandler (with Smith coming off the bench, moving Shumpert to the three and giving MWP some rest) is really interesting and pretty good defensively. On paper.
Maybe MWP can bully J.R. Smith and J.R. Anthony to do less stupid stuff. If so, then this team can be more than good on paper.