New York Knicks: What Constitutes a Successful Season in 2011-12?

Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire have officially settled into their orange and blue lifestyle, which sets the bar higher for New York as they head into next season attempting to stave off the label of “disappointing.”

When Stoudemire first set foot in Madison Square Garden, no one knew what to expect, and when the team got off to a rocky start at the beginning of last year, fingers were not being pointed in his direction.

However, once Anthony and Stoudemire joined forces, the “excuses mill” officially hit empty.

These are two arguably top-10 stars, and there is no reason why they should not be able to effectively adjust and learn how to play off each other. And this is why the Knicks first playoffs appearance in nearly a decade was so disappointing.

No one expected the Knicks to beat the Celtics, but they thought New York would be able to steal a game or two.  

But they didn't.

The good news was though that this team was new to one another.  They were still learning how to play together and develop cohesion. Such excuses will no longer be acceptable, CBA willing, next year though.

New York is out of excuses.  Stoudemire and Anthony have no safety net below them anymore.

The Knicks have traded away an abundance of young talent, draft picks and let one of the best GMs to ever grace the NBA go, all in pursuit of the current team they have now.

The pressure is on and rightfully so.  If the Knicks fail to show significant improvement next season, the New York faithful may not remain all that faithful to the team’s current direction.

Rebuilding is no longer a term the Knicks can use.  The time where mediocrity was acceptable has come to an end.

Individual accomplishments and development no longer constitutes success. Team achievements are what will propel the Knicks to the next level, and there are now certain standards and expectations New York needs to meet. 

The ensuing slides will provide a look at what this team must accomplish in order for their 2011-2012 season to be deemed a success.

Break into the Top Half of the NBA's Team Defensive Rankings

The Knicks were the third worst defensive team in the league last season, allowing nearly 106 points per game.

For New York’s season to truly be considered a success next year, they need to correct their terrible defensive ways. Moving up to the top of half the NBA’s defensive rankings would be a giant step in the right direction.

Currently, when the Knicks play consistent defense for a game, or even a stretch of games, fans and media members remain doubtful it will last. And the Knicks could win 50 games and make some noise in the playoffs, and their season would still be disappointing if it was all achieved without playing defense.

Becoming a seriously threatening team without playing defense is tragically failing. 

Imagine, if the Knicks made it to the second round or even the Eastern Conference Finals without playing stellar defense. All that would indicate is that with consistent defensive play New York could have gone farther, which would be more painful then an outright dreadful season.

Not reaching full defensive potential is not an option this season. Landry Fields and Toney Douglas cannot be the only guys embracing the art of defense.

Players like Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire need to step it up on that end of the ball. The rest of the team looks to their stars for answers, and they must lead by example.

So Anthony needs to keep his feet moving and roll over pick and rolls better. Stoudemire needs to keep his man in front of him instead of having to attempt to block their shot from behind. And the entire Knicks team in general must get back on defense quickly after each offensive series.

Displays of anything less are a disappointment and limit the level of success that can be attributed to the Knicks season, no matter how much else they may accomplish.

Transition Carmelo Anthony into More of an Amar’e Stoudemire Leadership Role

While the opening slide noted individual developments are not the key to deeming next season a success, Carmelo Anthony's leadership role is the exception.

Amar’e Stoudemire’s leadership prowess was invaluable to the Knicks last year, and by next season’s conclusion, we need to be referring to Anthony’s in the same light.

Before Anthony showed up, Stoudemire carried the team on his back. He was an early on MVP candidate and wound up having a career year averaging 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and nearly two blocks per game.

However, his stats only just scratch the surface of his leadership role.  When the young New York team seemed to struggle early on last year, he did not criticize his teammates or attempt to place the blame.

Actually that last part isn’t entirely true. He placed the blame on himself.

Stoudemire had a knack for challenge his teammates without calling them out disrespectfully. He was an open advocate of hard work and exhibited swagger, without the pompousness that typically follows it.

Anthony on the other hand was a different story. During his short time with the Knicks, we have seen a little bit too much of LeBron James in him. He called his teammates out for not delivering him the ball, and became openly frustrated at them after on the court mishaps.

His 26.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game are not enough. He needs to be the type of leader who pulls guys aside on the court and politely, yet firmly gives them advice after he notices something. There is no need for public temper tantrums though.

Sure, Anthony apologized afterward, but it should have never happened in the first place.To be fair, this could be a harsh portrayal of Anthony because of how model of a leader Stoudemire is though.

To be even more fair though, for the Knicks season to be deemed a success, Melo has to incorporate a little less LeBron and a little more STAT into his image.

Knicks Need to Win at Least 50 Games

The Knicks finished with a 42-40 record last season, which was good enough to lock up the sixth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

However, such a record will be anything but tolerable next season. With Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire both now knowing what it takes to play in New York, the team’s win total must increase considerably.

Why is anything less than 50 wins unacceptable?

Look at what the Memphis Grizzlies did last year. They won 46 games without any bonafide superstars on their team.  New York has two superstars, which sets the bar higher.

The Knicks may still be in a Chris Paul limbo, but they have the core of their team for the foreseeable future in place with Stoudemire and Anthony, so potential roster upheaval cannot be an excuse.

If New York breaks the 50-win mark, then they officially enter the realm of respectability. Simply battling for a low-seeded playoff spot and securing it down the stretch with 40 wins is not enough.

Nor is it an option if the Knicks want to their 2011-2012 season to be considered a success.

Obtain at Least the Fourth Seed in the Eastern Conference Standings

Having home-court advantage for at least one round in the playoffs would be crucial in measuring the Knicks success.

New York barely held on to the sixth seed last season and cannot repeat such a circumstance. 

Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony and even Chauncey Billups need to motivate their teammates and lead them to a whole other level of play. 

Finishing in the top four of the Eastern Conference proves that the Knicks are actually for real and would help make their season a success. The fourth season does not scream championship contender, but it puts the Knicks on the coattails of teams like Chicago and Miami.

And this is something that both the organization and fans can accept and embrace.

Get Past the First Round of the Playoffs

A playoff berth may have been enough to satiate Knicks fans' appetites this past year, but another early exist will not be greeted so kindly.

New York needs to prove to the rest of the league and its fans that the Knicks are actually headed in the right direction. And what good would a first round exit do after they have had months to get it together and show progress?

None.

A playoff advancement, even if it is just into the second round, will be an indication that the Knicks are at least on the right path, with the potential to contend.

Chauncey Billups is key to this part of the team's success because he needs to use his postseason experience, provided he is still with New York and show the rest of the team what it takes to win a playoff series.

Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony have playoff experience, but Billups knows what it takes to win a championship, which is absolutely invaluable.

The Knicks would like all of New York to believe that a new era has begun.

But one cannot truly begin until they officially change their ways and make a legitimate splash in the postseason.

Do All of the Above Amidst the Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash Rumors

Regardless of how short or non-existent the NBA season becomes, rumors involving the Knicks, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash will run rampant.

We all saw how distracting the Carmelo Anthony saga became last season, and New York has to ensure they do not let potential acquisitions affect them this year.

Players like Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields and Wilson Chandler struggled when their names became a serious part of Anthony trade talks.

To become one of the elite teams, an organization most possess the resilience to stay on their feet through even the most tumultuous of times.

All indications are the Knicks will be under the rumor-mill microscope once again and how they execute under said circumstances will speak volumes about the type of team they are.

If New York can achieve what has been listed on the aforementioned slides, while on the potential trades and free agency acquisitions hot seat, then the season can be considered a success.

And the Knicks and their fans will have something to cheer about.