5 Reasons the Knicks Are Poised to Win a Title Next Season

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It looks like the New York Knicks are headed to the NBA Playoffs for the second straight year, barring a late-season collapse. 

If they do indeed reach the postseason, the Knicks will grab the seventh or eighth seed, matching up with either Chicago or Miami in the first round.

New York has no chance whatsoever of winning a title this year. It would take a miracle for them to even get passed the first round. However, next year could be a much different story.    

The trio of Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin will hopefully manage to play a full season together, which could mean big things in Gotham City.

Here's five reasons the Knickerbockers are poised to win it all in 2013.

A Healthy Jeremy Lin

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Last season, probably about five fans in the world knew who Jeremy Lin was. The undrafted rookie point guard out of Harvard played an unforgettable 29 games for Golden State in 2010-11.  

This season, though, Lin blossomed into a overnight celebrity in New York, looking like a younger version of Steve Nash.      

Unfortunately, Lin suffered a season-ending knee injury in March, closing the doors of "Linsanity" for this year. Hopefully, he'll return next year at 100 percent and show the world that his 2011-12 performance wasn't a fluke.

The Knicks have a shot at winning a title in 2013 with a future All-Star point guard like Lin running the show.

Carmelo Anthony

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Back in 2003, a college freshman by the name of Carmelo Anthony led his Syracuse squad to a national championship.

Anthony, however, has failed to win a ring at the next level, although he's had a great career thus far.

He has the reputation of being a selfish player, but he is capable of leading the Knicks to an NBA title.

No one can deny that he's one of the league's most unstoppable scorers. Melo could put up 40 points in his sleep. 

Amar'e Stoudemire

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The Knicks didn't hand Stoudemire a $100 million contract for nothing. They felt the former Phoenix Suns star could help deliver a title to New York.

The Knicks aren't wrong for believing that.

A six-time NBA All-Star, Stoudemire is one of the best big men in all of basketball when healthy. He can score. He can rebound. He's just the he kind of player you want on your team.

Stoudemire has battled injuries this season and his numbers have been down, but he can definitely bounce back next year.              

Possible Hiring of Phil Jackson

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Mike Woodson has done a splendid job replacing head coach Mike D'Antoni, who resigned earlier this season.

With that said, the Knicks could very well remove the interim tag from Woodson's title and make him their permanent head coach. But that's only if a legend like Phil Jackson isn't interested in the job.

Arguably the greatest coach in NBA history, Jackson won six titles in Chicago and then five more in L.A. 

It's unclear whether he would want to come out of retirement to coach the Knicks, the team he won two rings with as a player in the '70s. 

If Jackson does end up in New York next season, the Knicks will surely become a title contender.   

It's Just Time to Win Another One

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1973 was a memorable year for the Knicks.

Led by Hall of Famers like Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Willis Reed and Earl "The Peal" Monroe, the team won a title that year, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. 

Unfortunately, the Knicks haven't won a title since, although they reached the Finals in both '94 and '99. 

New Yorkers have been waiting a long time for another title.