Knicks Knotes

Top 10 for 2013

First off, I wanted to wish a happy and safe New Years to all you guys.

Another year is in the books, hope 2012 was a good one for everyone.

I wanted to put together a top 10 list of what I’m looking forward to for the Knicks in 2013.

So, here it goes.

10. James White in the Dunk Contest - Lame, but whatever, I’m always excited when a Knick is involved in Saturday events. Maybe Novak in the 3-pt contest?

9. Melo’s first 50 point game as a Knick - I said before the season started he was going to hit the 50 point mark at some point (should have done it that first Laker game if it weren’t for Howard). The way he’s been scoring this season, I still have no doubt it’s going to happen. I can’t wait for when it does.

8. Another Buzzer Beater - so I can post this up immediately after the win: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKQOXYB2cd8 - my opinion, greatest celebration in the history of sports, ha.

7. Going to a God-damn game! - Ha, not sure why I haven’t gone to a game yet, but it’ll happen. I’m going to Knicks/Philly in January, but that’s in Philly. Aiming for an actual home-game sometime in February.

6. Playing Boston - I hate Boston. I hate Pierce. I hate Garnett. I hate Rondo. We’re good this year. I want to beat them. I want to beat them badly.

5. Rasheed Wallace - It’s a bit odd, but Wallace means a lot to the Knicks defense. I know.. I know.. it’s a lot to put on a 38 year old guy, but have you noticed? The Knicks are a completely different defensive team when he’s there. Not sure if he scares the other guys into playing D, but the Knicks are different with him. There’s so much more communication and so much more… effort.

4. March - the 3rd vs. Miami, the 7th vs. OKC, the 17th @ Clippers, the 27th vs. Memphis. I consider Miami, OKC, LAC and Memphis the four best teams in the league. We’ll have a good idea of what the Knicks are capable of after March.

3. Amar’e & Iman’s First Games - The Knicks have looked pretty solid so far and they have done that without two HUGE parts of the team. I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t wait for Amar’e and Iman to come back. Looks like Stoudemire should be ready to go Jan. 1 (maybe a week later), Iman will be a little longer. He started participating in limited practices. So, possibly a late January, early February return? There is so much potential for this team, it’s crazy. Woody better get this right! Also, I expect very long standing ovations for each of them when they first check in.

2. Winning the Division - New York hasn’t won a division title since the 1993-1994 season. That’s almost 20 years! We have as good a shot as any to do it this year. Right now, we’re 5 games up on the Nets, but it’s still very early on. I’m mostly worried about Boston making a late push.

1. Playoff Basketball - Look, I’m not sure how far the Knicks will make it, but I know one thing is for sure… there is something about this group that makes you believe in them. Whether it’s the comradery, the no-quit attitude, Melo being completely locked in, the veteran leadership, buying into what Woody is saying or just a combination of everything… there is definitely something there. Yes, this team has major issues with keeping their composure, but I’m hoping with each game they learn from it. There is always that “it” factor in every successful team. I don’t know if the Knicks completely have “it” yet, but … we’re damn sure close.

Enjoy your night guys and as always, thanks for taking the time to read.

Oh… I would have put the 6th man award battle between JR Smith and Jamal Crawford on the list, but have no idea how Stoudemire and/or Shumpert will impact that.