NBA Preseason Power Rankings 25-21

5 of 5

Oct 14, 2014; Syracuse, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots the ball during the third quarter of a pre-season game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Carrier Dome. The Knicks won 84-77. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

21.) New York Knicks (10th East) `

Phil Jackson is now running the team, but this is average roster at best.  I like the team to be a little bit better than last year but they are going to be losing on the rebounding end on a nightly basis. Tyson Chandler was the defensive anchor for this Knicks team last season and they ended up trading him away for three point shooting. If Amare Stoudemire can stay healthy and this Knicks team can move the basketball, then they have a chance at the playoffs this season. However, with a first year head coach, the Carmelo Anthony shot selection and  the J.R. Smith headaches, I think that the Knicks will fail to meet that expectation. They’ll compete and they’ll be a nightmare matchup some nights because they can shoot the three ball extremely well.

Question: Is Carmelo Anthony going to move the ball?

The Knicks brought back Carmelo Anthony this offseason and gave him a max contract for the next five years. But was that the right call? Carmelo Anthony has been known as a ball centric, isolation player, that doesn’t always take the best shots. I saw a report just the other day where Carmelo Anthony talked about how it wasn’t possible for him to win the scoring title in this new triangle offense because he wasn’t going to shoot as much, until it was time to go. Then he followed that statement with a 22 shot performance the following night. Carmelo is the same guy folks.