In the playoffs though, if we get there, as Rose said to Begley, if the Knicks can just get there, they are dangerous. Now it comes down to match ups, and you're seeing the same team again and again. Hornachek is a good coach. We have a good core and a very strong trio in Melo, KP and Rose. Now in that setting I like us against any team in the East other than Cleveland. I think we could if the big 3 are healthy and on, take out most of the East in a playoff best of 7.

But first is just get into a strong playoff spot. We're still far away from that or clinching. We're 2 bad weeks away from being 10th.

nyknickzingis wrote:I don't think we have the depth or built to be the 2nd best or a contender in the regular season. We've seen already why. Rose is in and out. Noah is still not 100%. Melo is past his physical prime and can get worn out and needs rest and minute monitoring. KP is way too young to be able to carry a team without Melo to wins (So Melo can rest). We're built in a way that 45 wins is all we can really hope for. I mean unless I'm wrong and Rose is super healthy the rest of the way and Noah plays better/stay healthy we could push more. I expect us to be in the 43 win range just because of our health of the core and the bench not being deep enough to carry the load without the starters needing big minutes.

In the playoffs though, if we get there, as Rose said to Begley, if the Knicks can just get there, they are dangerous. Now it comes down to match ups, and you're seeing the same team again and again. Hornachek is a good coach. We have a good core and a very strong trio in Melo, KP and Rose. Now in that setting I like us against any team in the East other than Cleveland. I think we could if the big 3 are healthy and on, take out most of the East in a playoff best of 7.

But first is just get into a strong playoff spot. We're still far away from that or clinching. We're 2 bad weeks away from being 10th.

Yes there are concerns with Rose and Noah but that is actually only RISK and as long as they are playing and also getting enough support from the rest of the roster then this is not really the issue. I think as time moves along Jeff is gonna have to continue to develop some of the younger guys to help take on a slightly bigger role.

For me the biggest issue is getting off to better starts and hopefully having a few blowouts where they don't need to have the starters log heavy minutes.

nyknickzingis wrote:I don't think we have the depth or built to be the 2nd best or a contender in the regular season. We've seen already why. Rose is in and out. Noah is still not 100%. Melo is past his physical prime and can get worn out and needs rest and minute monitoring. KP is way too young to be able to carry a team without Melo to wins (So Melo can rest). We're built in a way that 45 wins is all we can really hope for. I mean unless I'm wrong and Rose is super healthy the rest of the way and Noah plays better/stay healthy we could push more. I expect us to be in the 43 win range just because of our health of the core and the bench not being deep enough to carry the load without the starters needing big minutes.

In the playoffs though, if we get there, as Rose said to Begley, if the Knicks can just get there, they are dangerous. Now it comes down to match ups, and you're seeing the same team again and again. Hornachek is a good coach. We have a good core and a very strong trio in Melo, KP and Rose. Now in that setting I like us against any team in the East other than Cleveland. I think we could if the big 3 are healthy and on, take out most of the East in a playoff best of 7.

But first is just get into a strong playoff spot. We're still far away from that or clinching. We're 2 bad weeks away from being 10th.

That may be true but good teams need to find ways to be better than the sum of their parts. Whether the Knicks can do that remains to be seen.

Vmart wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:Who is Jason Mcintyre?

How does his opinion matter? Only way the Knicks are the second best team in the east is if they have the second best record. I'm a believer you are what your record says you are.

If he is saying the Knicks have the second best talent in the east then I would say he might be right.

Isn't that pretty much what he's saying? He's also saying that don't be fooled by the record cuz the way the Knicks have been playing is better than their record because they were a new team and started out playing poorly as they tried to gain chemistry and get it together. What matters most is not the record but HOW the team is actually playing come playoff time.

Knicks are in the mix with the 3-6 teams, but the Cavs are miles ahead the Raptors are at well ahead of 3-6.

Knicks need Rose to stay healthy, and need to get a lot better on D before even being able to claim 3rd best in the East.

It is within reach though.