NY Knicks: Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire NBA's Biggest Disappointment

One thing is clear. If the Knicks are going to make a run towards being one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, their frontcourt play is going to have to get better. Before I go on, I need to say that I know the numbers. But this goes well beyond the statistics, and right to the team's win-loss record. 

In no way is a 2-3 record going to work if they're going to challenge the Heat and Bulls for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. 

Convincing losses to the Warriors, Lakers and then a close home loss to the Raptors, is not the start that the Knicks needed to this season. 

It starts with Carmelo Anthony. On the surface, 27 points and seven boards per game is productive. But here's the problem: He doesn't work in Mike D'Antoni's system. The 27 points per game clip may well stay, but those points aren't going to open up opportunities for the rest of the team. 

Sure, he could score the points, but when Carmelo is scoring, the rest of the team isn't a huge concern for the defense. Their games don't mesh with Anthony's style. 

And that brings us to Stoudemire. He's missed two of the team's five games, so his season can't be completely judged. But for Amar'e to average just over 17 points a game is a massive disappointment. He needs to be able to get out and run the floor. Amar'e hasn't been given that opportunity yet. 

The Knicks need to find a way to make that happen. 

Coming into the season, the biggest concern with the Knicks was their backcourt. However, the guards have scored enough points for this team to be 4-1 at this point, if not better. Getting roughly 24 combined points per game between Toney Douglas and Landry Fields is more than enough to for the team to win, and win a lot. 

Stoudemire and Anthony have to find a way to mesh their games in a way that will suit the rest of the team. They gave up an awful lot to get Anthony, and I am sure they didn't give it up for first-round exits. 

Right now, that duo hasn't done nearly enough to make the team one of the top teams in the conference. With Stoudemire back in action, there are no more excuses.

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