Why NY Knicks Will Remain NBA's Hottest Team Without Amar'e Stoudemire

The New York Knicks have been red hot the past nine games, dating back to the very moment that former head coach Mike D'Antoni was replaced with interim head coach Mike Woodson.

Since then the Knicks have had to go at it without point guard Jeremy Lin and forward Amar'e Stoudemire. While Lin should return soon, Stoudemire's still going to be out for a while. The timing couldn't be worse as Stoudemire was playing his best basketball of the season.

But while the Knicks will certainly need Stoudemire back before the playoffs begin, there's no reason they can't stay hot in the meantime.

First of all, they can continue to win if the defensive effort remains constant.

Allowing only 86 points per game through nine games has been tremendous, but it's still a small sample size. Continuing the effort is the key and if they do that, they have the depth necessary to continue winning.

Add to that fact they should be getting Jared Jeffries back next week, which should strengthen the defense and help fill the void created by Stoudemire's injury.

Offensively he will be missed, but if the unselfishness and the ball movement continues the Knicks should be fine.

Running the offense through Carmelo Anthony and getting efficient results like the 9-of-15 effort he put up against Orlando on Wednesday will go a long way to easing the loss. An increased effort from Anthony, especially if he finds his shot, makes the Knicks dangerous.

In the half-court set, as long as the ball keeps moving and the likes of Steve Novak, J.R. Smith, Landry Fields and Iman Shumpert keep knocking down shots, the Knicks will continue to be tough to beat.

The upcoming schedule will be tough, but the Knicks certainly have the talent on the floor to stay hot until Stoudemire returns.

As long as the effort is there on a nightly basis, they should be fine.