New York Knicks

2010-11 Record: 42-40
(6th in East, 2nd Atlantic)

Playoffs: Lost in First Round to Celtics (4-0)

Stats
Points Per Game: 106.5 (2nd)
Points Allowed: 105.7 (28th)
Rebounds: 40.5 (20th)
Assists: 21.4 (15th)
Leading Scorer: Carmelo Anthony 26.3ppg

Additions: F Jared Jeffries, G Mike Bibby, C Jerome Jordan, G Baron Davis, C Tyson Chandler

Subtractions: G Roger Mason, Jr., F Derrick Brown, G Anthony Carter, F Shelden Williams, F Shawne Williams, G Andy Rautins, C Ronny Turiaf, G Chauncey Billups (amnesty)

Synopsis: In a New York minute everything can change.

And change it did for the Knicks last season. First the team signed prize free agent big man Amare Stoudemire. Then the team swung a trade with the Nuggets for one of the game's biggest stars and best scorers Carmelo Anthony.

Suddenly, after years of stinking up Madison Square Garden, the Knicks were good again. Adding Studemire and Anthony alone didn't make them great last year. But at least they were relevant again.

The team jumped over .500 to finish last season at 42-40 and get back to the playoffs.

Gifted as Anthony and Stoudemire are on the offensive end though they aren't exactlyy great defenders. Actually they aren't even good defenders.

Mike D'Antoni's Knicks finished as the second hgihest scoring team in the NBA but were third last when it came to giving points up. That defensive weakness was exploited in the playoffs as the Celtics sweapt the Knicks in four straight.

		Drafted
			1st G Iman Shumpert (17th overall) The Georgia Institute of Technology product wowed at the combine, and is considered the most physically gifted rookie stepping into the league this year.

So what did the team do in the offseason? No, they didn't land Chris Paul.

They brought in Tyson Chandler, the best defensive presence available on the free agent market.

Chandler helped bump the Mavericks from the 12th best defensive team in the NBA in 2009-10 to the 7th best team last year. Oh yeah, and he helped them win a title.

What Chandler really brings is an ability to keep opponents out of the paint. And that's exactly what the Knicks needed.

Having him patrolling the lane will significantly help mask both Stoudemire and Melo's deficiencies.

To get Chandler, the Knicks had to use their amnesty on Chauncey Billups. While losing him hurts at point guard, their defensive needs made it the right move.

With Billups' absence The Knicks are gambling a big that Baron Davis will be able to run the point effectively

For D'Antoni it's time to show that he can coach a real winner in the Big Apple. With their roster being gutted the last few seasons it's been tough to judge run-n-gun Mike. But now with a stable roster and a defensive anchor it's time to produce a jump to the next level.

Chisholm's 3 in the Key

TSN.ca basketball blogger Tim Chisholm's takes a look at three players in different stages of their career from the Thunder that will make a difference (good or bad) this season. You can read more from Tim in his weekly blog: '3 in the Key'.
Breakout
	Toney Douglas: With Chauncey Billups gone, the starting spot now belongs to Douglas and he'll get to show his playmaking skills playing facilitator to All-Stars in the frontcourt.
Prime Time
	Amar'e Stoudemire: Carmelo may be the bigger name, but this team goes as far as Stoudemire's fragile body will take them. When he's strong they've got a shot at doing some damage, when he's not... Well, take a look at last year's Playoffs to find out.
Last Legs
	Mike Bibby: Bibby simply can no longer run from his age, nor can he really run from anything anymore. It's more like a mild trot, and he's now trotting his way towards NBA retirement.