NBA Schedules 2010-11: 10 Games New York Knicks Fans Should Like

It’s tough to be a Knicks fan these days, and Amar'e Stoudemire isn’t quite the solution.

New Yorkers wanted to look forward to the 2010-11 season as the rebirth of Knickerbockers basketball, with LeBron James leading the way.

Instead, they’re probably circling Dec. 17 as the date LeBron and the Heat first visit the Garden.

While there’s no way (or reason) why James and Chris Bosh should get the Reggie Miller treatment, it’s safe to say the Knicks/Heat rivalry is about to return.

The Knicks went through a roster overhaul this summer, and unveil the final product on Oct. 27 in Toronto.

Let’s look at a few other games Knicks fans should be anxious for.

November 10 vs. Golden State

David Lee returns to New York, and former Warriors Kelenna Azubuike and Ronny Turiaf get to play their former team.

The Knicks get the Warriors in their ninth game of the season, and a pivotal ninth game it will be.

The Warriors game is one of two home games for New York over a two-week span that includes six road games, including four straight out west.

December 12 vs. Denver

Barring a matchup in the NBA Finals, this will be the Knicks fans’ only chance of wooing Carmelo Anthony to New York next summer.

The Nuggets seem to wind up in New York around the holiday season and this year, Knicks fans would love to deliver the perennial Western Conference powerhouse a loss.

Amar'e Stoudemire should enjoy exploiting a weak Denver frontcourt, too.

December 17 vs. Miami

For once, Knicks fans will be booing and it won’t be directed at their own players.

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh lead the new-look Miami Heat into the Garden for a holiday-season showdown.

If former Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy’s prediction of 72-plus wins for Miami this season comes true, New York fans may not want to watch.

But if the Knicks win? A lot of happy Knicks fans will have gotten their holiday presents a week early.

December 25 vs. Chicago

Knicks, Bulls, and Christmas sounds like a lovely combination.

Although let’s be real, while fans are celebrating the holiday with their families, they’d probably rather see the Knicks dismantle the Clippers.

Either way, former free agents Carlos Boozer and Amar'e Stoudemire will face off on national television.

A New York win would really be a lovely stocking-stuffer.

January 2, 2011 vs Indiana

Danny Granger and the Pacers don’t make it to New York until the day after New Year’s, but Knicks fans won’t mind the wait.

Archrival Indiana makes its way into MSG for the first of two trips to New York.

The other visit is part of a home-and-home on March 13.

January 17 vs. Phoenix

The plot line is simple: Head Coach Mike D’Antoni and newly acquired Amar'e Stoudemire face their former squad.

Steve Nash will have a tough time terrorizing Knicks fans without his pick-n-roll partner, as the Suns might be a very beatable team in 2010-11.

February 2 vs. Dallas

The Mavericks have been a consistent 50-win team over the past few seasons, yet the Knicks usually hang tough with them.

New York fans are hoping the addition of Stoudemire and some of the other new pieces will mean no more massive blowouts at home.

If that’s the case, Knicks fans should be in for a treat against the Mavs.

Side note: Since the "Summer of 2010" didn’t exactly pan out the way Knicks fans wanted it to, perhaps New Yorkers will be wooing Mark Cuban to buy the team away from James Dolan.

Let’s be real, Cuban never would have rehired Isiah Thomas.

February 11 vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Prime time on a Friday night, and Knicks fans get to host Kobe Bryant and company before going out and partying it up.

The Lakers are the third and final game of a three-game homestand for the Knicks.

All three games are winnable, with Philly and the Clippers on the docket before the Lake Show.

Hopefully Knicks fans will be throwin’ down City-style after a big win.

March 2 vs. New Orleans

See "December 12 vs. Denver" and replace Carmelo Anthony with Chris Paul.

Although Paul won’t hit the free agent market until 2012, a year after Melo, there are already talks of CP3 wanting to team up with Anthony and Stoudemire in New York.

Knicks fans get their only shot to see the All-Star point guard in action, so they better make it count.

April 12 vs. Chicago

The Bulls make the list twice by closing out the Knicks regular season slate of home games.

New York gets Boston the day after Chicago in its regular season finale.

In an ideal world, Knicks fans will flood the Garden with optimism for an impending playoff berth.

However, the more likely scenario is New Yorkers break out in unison: "We Want Melo! We Want Melo!"

Worst case scenario for Knick fans as they break out in unison: "Fire Isiah! Fire Isiah!"

BONUS: December 6 vs. Minnesota

The Knicks drafted former Syracuse University guard Andy Rautins in the second round of the NBA Draft in June.

Rautins and the Orange occasionally played in Madison Square Garden, including memorable games last season against North Carolina and Cal.

Two years ago, Rautins was part of the Syracuse team that downed UConn in six overtimes during the Big East Tournament.

On Dec. 6, Rautins will face off against former teammates Jonny Flynn and Wesley Johnson.

Flynn is in his second season in the NBA, but for Johnson and Rautins, it will be their first trip back to MSG.