Can New York Knicks compete against the top 5 teams of the Eastern Conference next NBA season? Pt-2
New York Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks
Talking about the regular season meetings, New York Knicks faced Atlanta Hawks four times during the season and both the teams developed an unforeseen rivalry. The contest was tied 2-2 which will make both the teams more prepared
to go against each other in the next season.
The rivalry between Knicks and Hawks reached to its boiling point when New York’s small forward Shawne Williams had a scuffle with the Atlanta’s combo forward Marvin Williams which resulted in suspension of both the players.
Although the New York Knicks is an outstanding team on the offence however, Atlanta Hawks has the advantage of versatile players which makes the team stronger on both the ends.
Playing defence has been the weakest point of New York Knicks which provides room for the Hawks shooters to gain advantage out of it. While offensively, in the presence of the spirited duo Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony,
the Knicks have no problem in breaking into the above average defensive system of Atlanta Hawks which includes Josh Smith and Al Horford.
New York Knicks have a good chance to push back Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference and move one step further if they are able to find a solution to their defensive game.
New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic
With a couple of big trades in the last season to add some supporting cast around the muscular centre Dwight Howard, it was expected that Orlando Magic will have a breakout season. However, after finishing with the fourth seed
in the Eastern Conference, Orlando was gunned down by the fifth seeded Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the play-offs.
Having said that, it does not mean that New York Knicks will be able to knock down Orlando Magic easily, if they are able overshadow Atlanta Hawks in the next season. The Orlando Magic’s game-play is completely different from Hawks
and Knicks definitely need a lot defensive strength to hamper the big man Dwight Howard from taking control.
New York Knicks managed to win only one game against Magic after both the teams faced each other four times. This shows that Knicks defensive weakness give more advantage to Orlando as their superstar Howard keeps the team soaring
from both the ends.
In order to overpower Orlando Magic in the next season, New York Knicks need to attack Howard in the lane and double-team the big man to open room for at least one Knicks superstar to take the charge. Secondly, Amare Stoudemire,
who is also strong and muscular, needs to challenge Dwight to keep Knicks on the top.
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics
A sweep in the first round of the play-offs against the Boston Celtics indicates that New York Knicks are far away from reaching to the competitiveness of the Celtics and they need a lot of hard work and new game-plans to claim
their might.
The big three of Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen stamped their might on Knicks prolific duo which shows that Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony are not enough for the team especially when they are playing
against the Celtics.
New York Knicks only hope to overshadow Boston Celtics is a muscular and athletic player on the centre position who will hamper the Boston’s superstar trio from playing their natural game. This will give Anthony and Stoudemire
an opportunity to take the charge by pushing all the right buttons and keep the opposition on the back foot.
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