New York Knicks make huge statement with win over the Miami Heat

Which team has the best record since the start of the New Year?

Answer: Brooklyn Nets

Which is the team with the second best record since the start of the New Year?

Answer: You won’t have to go too far on the map because it’s the Nets’ neighbours, the New York Knicks.

While their new neighbours are on 4-game winning streak in 2014, the Knicks have some good momentum of their own to cheer and be proud of. The Knicks are 4-1 this year which includes a 2-1 visit to teams of the Texas triangle – San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks.

The 105-101 upset win over the San Antonio Spurs caught everyone off guard, and people were quick to term it a flash in the pan. And to many who watched their next game they seemed right, because they lost 102-100 to the Houston Rockets.

But with a victory over the defending champions Miami Heat on a TNT double header Thursday night, the Knicks have their longest winning streak of three this season. Prior to this streak, the team had won two consecutive matches only once this season.

The winds have most certainly changed in New York in 2014. The Nets are currently at the 8th spot in the East with 14-21 and the Knicks are just a game behind with a record of 13-22.

So what’s been the difference so far for the Knicks this year?

A break of two days on either side of New Year’s might very well have been responsible for doing the trick, but let’s focus more on the on-court developments and improvements.

Consistent strong performances by All-Star Carmelo Anthony

His new year started by making a return from an ankle injury, which forced him to miss the Christmas game at the Madison Square Garden against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with absolutely no rust to shake off.

In the five games played this year he has averaged 26.9 points and 7.4 rebounds. However he has been consistent with such numbers all through the season. He currently leads the East in scoring with an average of 26.3 points and a career high 8.3 rebounds.

He has recorded 13 double doubles this season in 32 games played.

There is no debate about the fact that he is currently in his prime but that has nothing to do with the team’s disappointing results. He cannot win all matches alone. The team had failed to provide adequate support in the form of production to capture wins.

The biggest positive has been that the brief rest due to an ankle injury has made no dent in his game. He has come out with the same intensity and almost identical averages with respect to the stat sheet.

Whether the Knicks have a full roster at theer disposal or not, whether media reports of chemistry issues are true or not, whether anybody else performs or not, Carmelo Anthony has always showed up and performed for the team no matter what the circumstances, like a true superstar.

Back-up finding their groove

Amar’e Stoudemire needed his minutes to be reduced in order to recover from a knee injury. Raymond Felton and Tyson Chandler sat out due to injuries. Iman Shumpert failed to produce effectively.

If injuries were not enough, to make matters worse, there were even reports of chemistry issues within the roster. A lot went on during November and December, including a 9-game losing streak.

But over a period of time the team adjusted to the minutes, with themselves and with the injuries, and are currently reaping the benefits.

Felton and Stoudemire, who came up big against the Heat with double doubles, are slowly getting their groove back. The Knicks’ win over the Heat just goes to show the importance of Felton to their play. He finished with 13 points and 14 assists. Stoudemire, who at the start of the season was allowed only 10 minutes a half, made a difference with his performance of 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench against the Heat after playing 26 minutes.

The most recent revelation has been Iman Shumpert while on their trip to the Texas triangle. Against the Spurs, Mavericks and Rockets he averaged 21 points a game. His shooting has become more efficient. Against the Heat he contributed only 12 points, but all came from long range on 4-7 shooting.

Do they have a shot at the Playoffs?

The team doesn’t lack offense but in a tight game might fall short on the defensive end.

They seem to be doing better with J.R. Smith on the bench. Metta World Peace is out with knee problems and Tyson Chandler is out with an upper respiratory infection.

So when those players make their return there is no debate about the fact that the Knicks’ defense would go up more than just a notch. We often associate defense with Chandler, a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year, but another underrated quality of the big man is his offensive rebounding.

These would be crucial and huge additions to an already improving Knicks’ team. If they could keep up their current level of play, the new debate would be how far can they go into the post-season rather than whether they would make it there.