The New York Knicks have put together an interesting roster heading into the 2013-14 season and as the team prepares for training camp and the preseason, Carmelo Anthony and the front office feel like the franchise is ready to break its NBA championship drought.
The team is bringing back names like Iman Shumpert and Tyson Chandler after adding Metta World Peace, Beno Udrih, CJ Leslie, Andrea Bargnani, as well as draft choice Tim Hardaway Jr. and that crop gives Anthony his best supporting cast since he made it to New York. The move to acquire Bargnani could backfire if he is not healthy like he was last season in Toronto, but it also has the potential to put the Knicks over the top if he delivers on his promise as a former number one overall draft pick.
According to ESPN.com, the Knicks have started preparing for the upcoming season earlier than other teams, with a number of players starting to attend workouts at the main facility in Greenburgh. The report says that players Amare Stoudemire, Iman Shumpert, Tyson Chandler and the newly signed Beno Udrih have worked out together and that more players could be coming soon as well, including Metta World Peace. The Knicks also will have to make a decision on Jeremy Tyler, a player they like who will be out for up to two months after foot surgery. The team could let him go, but his contract is partially guaranteed so it could cost them something.
The trade for Bargnani depleted the bench a bit by sending away Marcus Camby, Quentin Richardson and Steve Novak, but the Knicks retained JR Smith and Pablo Prigioni and also signed Metta World Peace, Udrih and Leslie. Udrih could end up being a very valuable addition as a veteran that can play minutes behind Raymond Felton and although they gave up too many draft picks to the Raptors for Bargnani, he could be a very productive second scorer for Anthony to play with.
Last season Anthony won the scoring title and the Knicks were the best in the division, but this year Brooklyn looks to be more improved with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, while the Bulls will get Derrick Rose back. On top of that, the Pacers look even better than last season after trading for Luis Scola and of course there are the champion Miami Heat. The Knicks ranked 11th in scoring last season and were in the top 10 in defense and that will be a priority for Mike Woodson this season.
