Mike D'Antoni reckons the New York Knicks will be championship contenders this NBA season
Last week, when the New York Knicks roped in free agent centre Tyson Chandler, their status of an Eastern Conference elite transitioned into that of a genuine championship contender. Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks realises this fact
and the head coach reckons that the new triple threat has made his team a real threat.
Giving his views in ESPN New York 1050's "The Michael Kay Show", the D’ Antoni said;
"If you have a centre from the defending champions on your team that's 28 years old and is playing the best basketball he's ever played and you've got two superstars in [Carmelo Anthony] and [Amare Stoudemire], obviously you've
got to compete for a championship.
The Knicks resurged back to prominence last season with the arrival of power forward Amare Stoudemire from the Phoenix Suns. Stoudemire breathed new life into a side that had not made to the playoffs since 7 seasons. Slowly but
surely, the Knicks grew in confidence and by the time Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups joined the season in late February, the Knicks were well on their way to the playoffs.
Anthony and Billups further consolidated the Knicks charge and the team qualified for the post season as the number 5th seeds in the top heavy Eastern Conference. That meant a clash with the mighty Boston Celtics in
the first round.
The contest was even on the papers, but then Stoudemire and Billups got injured and Anthony was left all alone to take on the C’s. With minimal support from the bench that task was uphill for Anthony and a 4-0 drubbing was testament
to that fact.
One of the major weaknesses of the Knicks last season was their defence. D'Antoni is known as an up tempo offensive coach, who lacks an immaculate defensive acumen. However, the Knicks have also sorted out that weakness by the
acquisition of ex – Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Woodson – a man known for his defensive ingenuity. Also with the arrival of Chandler, who anchored the Mavs on the D in their championship run, that part of the puzzle will be sorted out this time around.
"We added one of the better defensive centres in the league so obviously, our defense is going to be much better," D'Antoni said during the radio interview.
In the staring roster, the Knicks will have three strong pillars in Carmelo, Stoudemire and Chandler. The point guard position will be occupied by the experienced Mike Bibby. The only problem seems to be at the shooting guard position.
Landry Fields is expected to start at that position, however does not have enough experience to take on the more accomplished wingers around.
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