Knicks Start the Season With Four Straight Wins

Carmelo Anthony Leads the Knicks to a Strong Start

By Ali Koskoris

New York is proving that they are true contenders in the Eastern Division, winning the first four games of the season with dominance.  Even without all-star forward Amar’e Stoudemire, New York is averaging 104.5 points a game and is keeping their opponents to only 87.5 points a game.

Carmelo Anthony has been leading the Knicks so far this season, averaging an impressive 27.3 points a game.  He produced high numbers against LeBron James and the Miami Heat, scoring 31 points and pulling down 7 rebounds in the first game of the season and continued to dominate in the next three contests.

J.R. Smith is also proving his worth as the sixth man.  The 6-6 guard is averaging 17.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.2 steals a game.  He brings the Knicks both offensive and defensive energy off the bench, clocking in as much time in the game as many of the starters.

New York has played Miami, Philadelphia twice, and Dallas.  Only Dallas managed to crack 90 points, and the Knicks have broken 100 points in every game.  Clearly, New York’s defense has improved and their offense has exploded. 

The Knicks are only four games into the season, though—and the only elite team they have played is the Heat (although the Mavericks are sure to be a playoff contender).  New York needs to continue to attack and focus if they want to continue their streak.

The team’s strengths are the all-star in Anthony, the shooting point guard Raymond Felton, the forward play of Tyson Chandler, and the offensive and defensive energy off the bench—especially from Smith and Steve Novak.

When Stoudemire is once again active, the Knicks are going to be even more dangerous.  Stoudemire is imperative to New York’s offense, as he brings down a high number of rebounds, and is a strong defensive player.  Adding him to the rotation of a seemingly in-sync Knicks team who has been dominating will be a great advantage to New York.

For now, with Stoudemire out for six to eight weeks, the Knicks need to continue to focus and play to the strengths of the players.  If Anthony and Smith continue to play the way they have been, New York will be a tough team to beat.