New York Knicks: 7 Reasons Why They Are Legit Title Contenders

No team in the NBA has had the roller-coaster type of season that the New York Knicks have had in 2012.

It's been filled with winning streaks and losing streaks, but the latest five-game win streak says a lot about this team and the bright future it could have ahead of them. Five games under Mike Woodson is a very small sample size, but the changes have been so dramatic that the Knicks are legitimate title contenders.

Here's a look at just a few of the reasons why it's not unthinkable for the Knicks to make a title run this season.

Effort on the Defensive End

It's only been five games, but the Knicks has shown a commitment at the defensive end of the floor that we haven't seen in a very long time. The Knicks have allowed an average of 95.4 PPG on the season, but in five games under Woodson they've only allowed 86.6.

It's all about effort. They're fighting through screens and rotating well. The second pass no longer leads to an easy shot.

Defense wins in the playoffs. If they continue to commit at the defensive end of the floor, they will have tremendous success.

Camaraderie

Just looking at the Knicks now compared to two weeks ago and you just see the difference in body language. This group is smiling and having fun. They are enjoying playing with each other and that can go a long way to winning.

Just a couple of weeks ago the main topic surrounding the Knicks was about who needs to go. Now you don't want to break up this unit.

Depth

The talent is definitely there in the Big Apple and now that everyone is healthy and on the same page, the Knicks depth comes out.

They are deeper than almost every team they will play. The second unit that features Steve Novak, Baron Davis, J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Jared Jeffries can compete and have success at both ends of the floor.

On a nightly basis, over nine Knicks can contribute to the offensive attack, taking major pressure off the top guys to have to produce every single night.

Carmelo Anthony

Just in the last two games we've seen 'Melo make an impact on the defensive end and by passing the ball. That's something we really can't say he's done consistently almost his entire career, but definitely not with the Knicks.

You can tell by the look on his face he's enjoying what this team can accomplish.

He's comfortable just being a part of what's going on and while his scoring and shot attempts are down (averaging 14.2 PPG and 13.4 FGA), he's been more of a playmaker. Yet when the Knicks need him, he will be there to shoulder the load.

It sends a message that if the superstar can buy in, then everyone should. That's called leadership and it's working right now.

Amar'e Stoudemire

Speaking of superstars, that brings us to Stoudemire, who's been tremendous. He's got that explosiveness back and has been attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line.

This offense needs to run through Stoudemire and if he's producing then it makes everyone else better. His number don't look great, averaging 16.8 PPG, but his field goal percentage has jumped to .575 in the five games under Woodson.

Unselfishness

Looking at the scoring numbers of Stoudemire and Anthony, you wouldn't think the Knicks would be very successful with their two superstars combining to average only 31.0 points per game.

But the Knicks have won five in a row and it's because they have been very unselfish as a team, almost too unselfish.

The main reason for that has been both Stoudemire and Anthony's willingness to share the ball. Everyone else has benefited in the meantime and if they continue to play this way at the offensive end, they are a very tough team to beat.

The Pressure is off Jeremy Lin

Lin no longer has to be the savior. There's no pressure on him to be anything other than a very good guard that gets everyone involved. Since everyone is playing that way right now, he doesn't have to do anything special.

All he's done is average 17 points, five rebounds, six assists and most importantly only 2.5 turnovers throughout the past four games.

The pressure is also off for him to be a scorer. His shots are now coming in the natural flow of the offense and the results have been great.

In the six-game losing streak that led to Mike D'Antoni stepping down, Lin combined to go 34-for-89 (.382) from the floor. Yet in the first four games under Woodson, Lin has cut down his shot attempts drastically, but is making more in the process, going 15-for-31 (.484).

All Lin has to do is to continue to improve and take care of the ball and everything else will continue to fall into place.