Although NY Fans and media are fickle people....this is still the most attractive place to play.

my second choice is Denver..but only if they are able to keep their players PLUS add that "superstar"..I dont see that happening.

Houston success is a mirage in my opinion...If you look at their schedule...aside from the Knicks...they have been feeding on the bottom dwellers. which is a good sign for them...but their far away from being able to compete with the big dogs.

Swishfm3 wrote:I pick the Knicks.

Although NY Fans and media are fickle people....this is still the most attractive place to play.

my second choice is Denver..but only if they are able to keep their players PLUS add that "superstar"..I dont see that happening.

Houston success is a mirage in my opinion...If you look at their schedule...aside from the Knicks...they have been feeding on the bottom dwellers. which is a good sign for them...but their far away from being able to compete with the big dogs.

Bonn1997 wrote:

NYKMentality wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

MS wrote:I think if Dwight is smart he loves and goes to the Rockets. Very little pressure in Houston and Harden is better than Kobe. Throw in all there outside shooters and young team and they are the favorite for years to come.

Houston is definitely the best fit for Dwight. As far as the original question, Knicks have the best shot at a title as currently constructed out of those teams, but a lot can change. I have always believed a team built around Melo and Chandler can compete, but the right pieces and right role players must be in place.

What are you doing my dude? Don't you know this type of talk isn't allowed on our Knicks board?

But yea, if Shumpert can re-gain form and improve upon last season? We could have something very special in Shumpert moving forward. A core of Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler can do some things.

None of those players is as good as Harden and if the past is a predictor of the future, probably not as good as the player Morey will use his max-contract FA money on the future. Our best player might be their third best player though.

Harden choked big time in the finals last year. Seem to remember Melo getting criticism on here for his teams playoffs performances, so lets wait and see where Harden leads his team before we say Harden is the better player.

smackeddog wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:

NYKMentality wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

MS wrote:I think if Dwight is smart he loves and goes to the Rockets. Very little pressure in Houston and Harden is better than Kobe. Throw in all there outside shooters and young team and they are the favorite for years to come.

Houston is definitely the best fit for Dwight. As far as the original question, Knicks have the best shot at a title as currently constructed out of those teams, but a lot can change. I have always believed a team built around Melo and Chandler can compete, but the right pieces and right role players must be in place.

What are you doing my dude? Don't you know this type of talk isn't allowed on our Knicks board?

But yea, if Shumpert can re-gain form and improve upon last season? We could have something very special in Shumpert moving forward. A core of Iman Shumpert, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler can do some things.

None of those players is as good as Harden and if the past is a predictor of the future, probably not as good as the player Morey will use his max-contract FA money on the future. Our best player might be their third best player though.

Harden choked big time in the finals last year. Seem to remember Melo getting criticism on here for his teams playoffs performances, so lets wait and see where Harden leads his team before we say Harden is the better player.

I like Melo but his playoff career is kind of damning. Trying to compare how a 23 year old performed in one playoff series and saying it's the same thing as a 28 year old failing year after year is really disingenuous.

Not only that, but Harden was drafted into the league alongside the likes of Westbrook and Durant. Ibaka also developed into something very good.

The Thunder went 50-32 back in 09-10. 55-27 back in 10-11 and 47-19 last season.

Here in 2012-2013, without Harden? The Thunder have gone 41-15 while Harden's led Rockets have only gone 31-27.

The same Melo critcs who talk about Denver's record after Melo left Denver, then become the same posters ignroing the fact that OKC is better than EVER without James Harden.

CrushAlot wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:It is interesting that Denver, Houston and Golden State are currently ranked 7th, 8th and 9th respectively. We are 12th. Isn't it ironic? http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings

I'd say Houston gets there first. Lin just has IT and Harden is a great and smart player. They have a pretty good center. They need one more max cat and they have space. Well managed team. Poison pill, eheheh...

We still have a chance though.

Not sure if Lin has IT or not but if we were playing for the Knicks I think guys would be making a big deal out of his last two games where he shot 6-20 and had 7 turnovers. I do think the rockets may try hard to get Dwight if he is available. I know they have a ton of assets but I wonder if a team like the lakers could take back a contract like Asic's in a sign and trade because of the poison pill.

Houston doesn't need to do a sign and trade, they'll have enough money to sign him outright.

VCoug wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:It is interesting that Denver, Houston and Golden State are currently ranked 7th, 8th and 9th respectively. We are 12th. Isn't it ironic? http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings

I'd say Houston gets there first. Lin just has IT and Harden is a great and smart player. They have a pretty good center. They need one more max cat and they have space. Well managed team. Poison pill, eheheh...

We still have a chance though.

Not sure if Lin has IT or not but if we were playing for the Knicks I think guys would be making a big deal out of his last two games where he shot 6-20 and had 7 turnovers. I do think the rockets may try hard to get Dwight if he is available. I know they have a ton of assets but I wonder if a team like the lakers could take back a contract like Asic's in a sign and trade because of the poison pill.

Houston doesn't need to do a sign and trade, they'll have enough money to sign him outright.

The Nugs are next, they have the best team of all of those listed in the poll. If they can keep most of their talent and add a superstar, they could do it. Perhaps they could do it w/o adding the superstar, who knows? The only problem is that I could see them getting all the way to the WC Finals and then someone like Paul or Durant getting all the calls, and their team being SOL.

I can't see why Bron would leave Wade, who is back to playing like Wade, and Bosh to go rebuild with the Cavs. Irving is one of my favorite young players and a baaaaaad man, but I don't see it.

I think the Knicks have a 2-3 year window with this core at the most. Don't see it happening this year. A lot depends on the offseason and if the Knicks can shake off the AARP players and get some young legs. And if they can truly commit to defense & good offensive execution for a full season. And if they can stay healthy.

Bonn1997 wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:It is interesting that Denver, Houston and Golden State are currently ranked 7th, 8th and 9th respectively. We are 12th. Isn't it ironic? http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings

I'd say Houston gets there first. Lin just has IT and Harden is a great and smart player. They have a pretty good center. They need one more max cat and they have space. Well managed team. Poison pill, eheheh...

We still have a chance though.

Do you know how those power rankings are determined? I think it's just Stein's subjective impressions. Hollinger's power rankings put Houston 4th, Denver 7th, and us 9th.

No, I don't know. I guess your Stat sort of shows the same thing but slightly differently. Same point though, ironic? Not to mention a bit disheartening that those teams have key players from us (past starters) and are all ranked ahead (or at least near) us.

I know it's at the end that matters, but this journey is... well, Knick like...