Will The Knicks Make Noise in The Playoffs?

     With the NBA playoffs right around the corner, now is the time when teams want to start getting on a roll to help build confidence before the playoffs. the Knicks big trade for Carmelo Anthony during the all-star break appeared to have some negatives. However, with the playoffs around the corners, Knick nation is getting to see all the positives.

     The Knicks led by Melo are on a seven game winning streak, tied for highest in the NBA with the Bulls who they play Tuesday, all of this minus Amar'e Stoudemire who has a bad ankle but may play Tuesday, according to the Knick coaching staff.

      With all this momentum going into the playoffs, can the Knicks win a series or two and make some noise? Amar'e will be back before the playoffs so i do not believe they need to worry about his status.Melo is showing the Knicks along with Chauncey Billups, what they can bring to the team in this years playoffs. Billups is a deadly shooter and one of the best free throw shooters in the game,which is imperative to have in the playoffs. As for Melo, he is showing off to his fellow New Yorkers that he is clutch, being the player with the most game winning shots under 10 seconds since 2003 with 16. That means he has more than Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and Ray Allen.

       Now although we have defensive issues, Melo has stepped it up late on the Defensive side of the ball. After nailing a game winning shot against the Pacers last night, Melo also blocks Danny Granger's last second shot to end the game.
        
         I think the Knicks can make a run deep into the playoffs because they can score lights out. Being one of the best scoring teams in the league, you put pressure on the opponent of not having a bad night offensively. If the Knicks played the Heat or Celtics and they had a bad night or two shooting we can easily take a couple of games and build enough confidence to take the series. The Knicks will need to play Defense, especially in late game situations, to put away close games.

        The small rotation Mike D'Antoni likes to play I think will give a lot of teams tough defensive assignments come playoff time. He puts Amar'e at center with Melo and Landry Fields as the forwards, and Tony Douglas and Billups as the guards. It gives us more opportunity to run with two point guards on the floor, and gives Melo the speed advantage being defended by power forwards. Although I feel a title is not likely this year, they can definitely win a playoff series or two.