A Look Ahead at the Knicks

So far Knicks fans have witnessed a season that has been full of ups and downs. The rise of Linsanity is something no sports fan can ever forget. A Harvard graduate, undrafted, cut twice, signed  off of the D-League, it simply couldn't be scripted. Jeremy Lin is a good person, and his rise to the starting lineup, and more importantly his ability to revitalize the New York Knicks, has excited basketball fans across the nation.

That being said, the Knicks have a mediocre 18-19 record and are 8th in the Eastern Conference. Sure, the Knicks were 8-15 before Lin became the starting point guard and shocked the world, but a .500 ball club means one thing: inconsistency.

During Lin's incredible seven game winning streak, the Knicks were slowly but surely getting healthy. Amar'e rejoined the team after dealing with personal issues, Melo recovered from his injury, and soon so did Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert. Then following the signing of J.R. Smith the Knicks actually had four (count'em four!) legitimate guards to work within the rotation. The Knicks are officially healthy and have depth at every position. Steve Novak has been nothing short of excellent. Jared Jeffries has played terrific defense and there has been exciting play from everyone on the team. So it's official, the Knicks have absolutely no excuse.

Sure, the Knicks have had very limited practice time with their new healthy squad, and the lockout shortened season is a serious bummer. But it is time to stop making excuses and step up. There have been some exciting wins with this team but there have been some disappointing losses against Miami and Boston, possibly two teams Knicks fans may currently hate the most.

What does that tell you? Pressure is effecting this team. Yes, both those games against the Heat and Celtics were on the road, two very hostile enviornments. But those are wins you need to have if you want to have hope for this team. It does not seem like the Knicks have what it takes to close out games just yet.

In fact, the Knicks Celtics game this past Sunday is symbolic of where the Knicks are right now. Close, but no cigar. The team was hustling and their heart was in it from beginning to end, but as we've seen so many times before, when it comes to crunch time the Celtics have more experience. Our nemesis, Paul Pierce drained a three to tie the game towards the end of regulation. Yes, the shot was a prayer and Shumpert contested it well. But the bigger issue is the Knicks still had time for a shot of their own. The ball was inbounded to Lin (who had hit a clutch three, and had six total points to finish the 4th quarter after one of his worse starts as a Knick) and he instantly got it to Melo.

Carmelo Anthony has said himself that he wants the last shot in a game winning situation, and that's understandable he's hit numerous big shots over the years and that's why he get's paid the big bucks. But this idea collides with basketball fundamentals, such as a crazy thought like passing to the open man. Or, if Melo needs the ball so badly why wasn't a play designed to get him a good look rather then just watch him put up an off balance shot?

Realistically yes, Melo should be taking our game winning shot. Just like Paul Pierce had to be the man to put the dagger in Knicks fans hearts. But is Paul Pierce the only one to have won the game in those buzzer beaters Knicks fans are all too familiar with over recent games? If Paul Pierce were to have been double teamed he would have passed the ball to someone like Ray Allen who also probably had a reasonable chance of destroying Knicks fans hearts.

The point is the Celtics are more of a team because they truley believe that anyone on the court can hit the game winner (and they all have). It's something called belief, and it's essential to team unity. For this reason, the Celtics are on a higher level then the Knicks (despite a similar record). The bitter truth is confidence is difficult for a Knicks franchise that has failed to have been a contender for the title since at least 2000, and even worse hasn't won a championship since 1974.

In order for these Knicks to be meaningful they have to believe in each other. The Knicks need to overcome all obstacles, distractions, expectations and just get it done for the sake of the team and no other reason. For a team that's been as hopeless as the Knicks over the years, that seems like a pretty tall task for a lockout shortened season, and a team that may or may not be on the same page.

But in a month that's been as Linsane as this one, there's reason to believe that maybe the Knicks can come together. Deep down in every Knicks fans heart there is still hope. It has nothing to do with talent or skill, it has to do with playing as one with one mindset: to win by any means necessary.

Go Knicks. Believe it, and anything is possible. This season is still there for the taking.