10 Ways the Knicks Could Actually Win NBA Championship

The New York Knicks are likely going to finish the regular season as the No. 7 or No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. Rarely do we witness such a high seed make a deep playoff run.

Occasionally, we'll witness a first-round shocker, such as when the Golden State Warriors defeated the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in 2007. Or, just last year, the Memphis Grizzlies stunned the No. 1 San Antonio Spurs.

Knicks fans have actually witnessed their squad do the unthinkable. During the last lockout-shortened season in 1999, the eighth-seeded Knicks steamrolled all the way to the NBA Finals before losing to the San Antonio Spurs.

Could this year's Knicks pull off something similar? Could they even go all the way and hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy?

We've got the analysis on that here. Here are 10 ways the Knicks could actually win the NBA crown.

Defense, Defense, Defense

It's no secret that the Knicks' defense has vastly improved since Mike Woodson took over, but this must continue.

The defense must remain at a level that is comparable to the Chicago Bulls or Miami Heat, two of the league's best defenses and one of whom will almost surely be New York's first-round matchup.

The Knicks have shown the capacity to play well defensively in stints, but can they show it for 48 minutes against the tireless Bulls or the star-studded Heat?

Faith in Mike Woodson

This team has possessed renewed energy under coach Mike Woodson. Will this energy survive throughout the playoffs, or will this squad revert back to its old ways?

For the Knicks to "shock the world" come playoff time, they must be on the same page with Woodson. Woodson may not have the pedigree of some of the league's elite coaches, but he should be respected like he is one.

He's revived this bunch and the Knicks should continue to trust his schemes down the stretch and into the playoffs. Teams that win NBA titles are always on the same page with their coach, and the Knicks must continue to show their reverence for Woodson.

High Chemistry When Amar'e Returns

Amar'e Stoudemire may return this weekend and it will be interesting to see how he fits back into the Knicks' rotation.

New York has recently used Carmelo Anthony at the four-position and he's thrived. Once Stoudemire returns, Anthony will slide back to the three spot and this could cause New York's chemistry to suffer.

Don't get me wrong, Stoudemire is a high-quality offensive player, but for the Knicks to do major damage in the playoffs, 'Melo and Amar'e must learn how to effectively coexist.

If this takes place and the rest of the Knicks continue to function accordingly in their roles, this team is beyond capable of beating anybody. 

The X-Factor: Tyson Chandler

Tyson Chandler proved he's a championship-caliber player last year in the Dallas Mavericks' epic title run. Can he do it again this year?

For the Knicks to make noise in the postseason, Chandler will need to play beastly. He will need to be their defensive enforcer. He also must assert his leadership since he knows what it takes to win a championship.

Chandler has already been a wise addition, but the playoffs are when he truly must exclaim his value.

High-Quality Point Guard Play

We've likely already witnessed the best from "Linsanity" this season because it's unlikely he'll return for the first round of the playoffs.

With the status of Lin questionable for the rest of the year, veteran Baron Davis must play like the Baron Davis of old. We may not witness his emphatic slams, but he still must play poised and consistently knock down jumpers.

The league is full of high-quality point guards and the Knicks might meet the reigning MVP Derrick Rose in the first round. Therefore, they can't be too overmatched at this position and Davis must show he's still capable of being an efficient floor general.

Favorable Matchups

Let's be honest, there's no easy first-round matchup when you're choosing between the Bulls and the Heat.

However, the Bulls are at least slightly more favorable, and Knicks forward Jared Jeffries would agree with me on this.

For one, the Bulls have been battling a host of injuries. They've still managed to compile what will likely amount to the league's best record, but they will clearly be vulnerable if Derrick Rose is ailing come the playoffs.

Secondly, there's greater reason to fear Miami. The Heat possess three studs, compared to Chicago's one. It's only natural for the Knicks to prefer taking on Chicago.

Further, if the Knicks do somehow escape the first round, could they then find more favorable matchups? For instance, what if after beating Chicago they then took on the Atlanta Hawks? Nothing against the Hawks, but I'm selecting the Knicks over them in six games.

And perhaps this favorable matchup trend could continue for the Knicks all the way into the Finals.

A Breakout Player Emerges

The playoffs are the time when faces become known in the NBA. Who could do this on the Knicks this year?

Iman Shumpert, anyone?

If Shumpert can play shutdown defense and reveal his value in a host of ways, he could be the breakout player that quickly becomes the talk of the NBA.

An ideal way for him to break out would be to pester D-Rose or Dwyane Wade in the opening round, wreaking havoc and showing why he'll be a top-notch perimeter defender for years to come.

Get Intensely Physical

Remember the Knicks of the 1990s who were hard-nosed, driven and loyal? They were surely willing to get physical with anybody, and that's why they had success (albeit they never won a title, mainly because of the presence of a man named Michael Jordan).

If the Knicks are going to make a deep run this season, they must consistently be physical, and this can't only come from Tyson Chandler. They all must be willing to play gritty and force their opponents outside their comfort zone.

This is not a call for them to get dirty, but if they want to bang with the best of them, there needs to be a physical framework attached to their style. 

Steal Early Games on the Road

For the Knicks to win the NBA championship, they're going to have to win a bevy of games on the road. They're currently 11-18 on the road, which isn't promising.

However, if the Knicks can carry their recent intensity into the playoffs, you never know what might happen. What will be especially important for them is to steal an early game on the road and avoid going down 0-2. 

If they gain momentum early, watch out, because this team is capable of riding momentum to upset anybody.

'Melo Must Show He's a Top-Five Player

Carmelo Anthony is oft criticized for a lack of leadership and lackluster play on defense.

He can silence any such doubts by carrying this team in the playoffs and showing intensity on both sides of the floor. He's been doing this recently. Can he keep it up throughout the postseason?

The playoffs will be 'Melo's time to show that he's an elite player. Frankly, if the Knicks win a championship, he will be forced to show he's a top-five player in this league.