NBA: Are the New York Knicks Really Back?

Since July 5th, 2010, Amar'e Stoudemire has proudly embraced the challenge of becoming the face of the New York Knicks.

He has spoken about having a great opportunity to help turn things around in New York, and has openly accepted the task of reversing the fortunes of a franchise that's been the epitome of a laughingstock for the past 10 years.

His claim: "The Knicks are back!"

My immediate response: "Back to what?"

Oddly enough, for those who do believe the Knicks are "back," the very same question persists.

Coming into the 2010-2011 NBA season, most Knicks fans were merely hoping to get into the playoffs. Some were proponents of letting the relatively young core develop; others wanted the Knicks to find a way to get Carmelo Anthony.

Even if it meant swapping five quarters for one dollar.

Through 38 games, New York was 23-15. Most Knicks fans had fallen in love with their team, and were curious just how good the Felton-Stoudemire-Gallinari Knicks could be.

However, en route to winning only five of their next 17 games, the Knicks' brain trust eventually decided to pull the trigger on the deal that brought Carmelo Anthony (back) to Gotham.

After sending the three aforementioned players plus Timofey Mozgov and three draft picks to the Denver Nuggets, the Knicks received Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Corey Brewer (who has since been bought out and is expected to sign with the Mavericks) and Anthony Carter.

Although some Knicks fans felt that the team gave up too much for a player they likely could have signed as a free agent (assuming, of course, that Carmelo would have chosen to become a free agent), most of New York City was ecstatic. They too believed the Knicks were back.

But again, back to what?

Relevance? Certainly.

Contending? Hardly.

As fans, we can be blinded by optimism. Sometimes, our judgment is clouded by emotion. Often, we lack the objectivity necessary to separate fact from fiction, and what is possible from what is probable. So here's some objectivity for you, fellow Knicks fans:

The Knicks are NOT back. Not yet.

Sometimes, in life, it's necessary to take a step back in order to move forward, and that's okay. Knicks fans, please understand that that's what your team did. New York sacrificed some of their youth, potential and depth for Carmelo Anthony.

In due time, with two offensive weapons in Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks could be winning NBA championships.

Now, go back and re-read the previous sentence, but pay closer attention to the first three words than the last three.

In due time.

What the Knicks do have is a very dangerous tandem, at least on the offensive end. What they do not have, at least consistently, is tough defense, depth, rebounding and play-making.

Once the current cast plays a few games together, they should be good enough to get into the Eastern Conference playoffs as the 6th or 7th seed and win two or three games against Boston, Miami or Chicago in a first-round playoff series.

But that's about it.

And until the Knicks add Chris Paul, Deron Williams or another legitimate point guard who can get to the basket at will, drill the mid-range J, push the ball up the floor on a fast break and be effective in the pick-and-roll, the true talents of the two Broadway Bullies will not be fully utilized.

That's no knock on Chauncey Billups. He's certainly an upgrade over Raymond Felton for this season and next, but, remember, we're being objective. Billups is 34 years old, and he isn't getting any younger. While he does provide veteran savvy, leadership, and steady hands, he's going to struggle to stay in front of younger, quicker point guards.

Billups' biggest strength is playing a half-court game, and the major reason the Knicks agreed to take him on in the trade is the fact that his contract expires just in time for the Knicks to go after another marquee free agent in July 2012.

Chauncey is a stopgap, just like Raymond Felton was.

Donnie Walsh knows this, Mike D'Antoni knows this, and Chauncey Billups knows this. Want to know what else I'm willing to bet Donnie knows?

That until this team flanks their two stars with three other guys who can rebound, play defense and run, they'll be a 40-45 win team that could beat the Heat on a good night but lose to the Cavaliers on a bad one. 

Donnie also probably knows that you can't contend for a championship depending solely on two offensive juggernauts...but you certainly can if you flank them with Chris Paul, Landry Fields and a center who can shoot, rebound and play decent post defense (think along the lines of a young Brad Miller).

Toss in a sixth man who can throw his weight around and be a beast on the boards (someone like Glen Davis or Carl Landry), and then and only then will you have a team resembling one that can truly challenge for all of the marbles.

So, again, are the Knicks back?

Depending on how you define it, maybe. They have a foundation, they have superstars and there is genuine excitement in New York City, but they're certainly not contenders to win it all. They're a team in transition, and a few players away from being something special.

They've got a solid foundation which they can build a great team on, and perhaps even a dynasty. But in all honesty it's going to take the Knicks at least two solid years to build a team that can challenge the Celtics right now, or the Heat and the Bulls in the next 2-4 years.

So, depending on how highly you regard the players the Knicks traded, you could make the case that, at least in the immediate future, they've actually taken a step back.

Just realize, though, that that argument only works for the immediate future. Long term, with two true superstars, the Knicks have two guys other players will want to come play with.

They have two dangerous weapons, and the distant future certainly looks brighter than it did back on February 20. But for right now, Knicks fans need to be patient. For the remainder of this season, and perhaps next season as well, this team remains a work in progress.

And you know what? That's okay! Sometimes, in life, you have to go backward to move forward. And go forward the Knicks will…

All in due time.