Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James: NY Knicks, Miami Heat and Fans Need Not Fear

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony both headline teams that have recently dipped in the Eastern Conference standings.

After spending most of the season as the second seed in the East, the Miami Heat have dropped to the third seed while the New York Knicks have moved down to the seventh seed after spending the better part of the season as the sixth.

Although New York and Miami have only dropped down one seed each, there is a definite sense of urgency and fear in the air.  

Both teams are now jam-packed with All-Star talent and the recent slumps of late may be disproving the Heat and Knicks formulas for victory.

But is it time to panic?  Is it time for fans of both the Heat and Knicks to become enraged and downright pessimistic about the futures of their respective teams?  Is it time for both organizations to make some coaching or front office changes?

Absolutely not.

The Knicks and the Heat, like it or not, have become the faces of the future of the NBA.  Miami has formed a super team of its own and New York is virtually there, and this is the very reason why panic has begun to ensue within each organization and its fans.

What exactly was the point piling the rosters with all-stars that take up more than three-quarters of the payroll if the end result was going to be a mediocre team?

Now, this is not to say that the Heat or the Knicks are mediocre teams, although cases could be made for each, especially the Knicks.  But this is the controversy that currently surrounds both of these teams.

Both Miami and New York clearly have put a lot of stock into packing their rosters with star-caliber players, which has resulted in high expectations.

Over the offseason, after it was official LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were officially members of the Heat, some projected Miami would win upward of 70 games this year.  And once Carmelo Anthony was traded to the Knicks, expectations soared.

But should they have?

In Miami's case, with arguably three top-10 players on the roster, it would be impossible for expectations not to rise.  Although the Knicks' situation is not as immune to skeptics, Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire look really good on paper, also making it virtually impossible for expectations not to rise.

However, it seems that owners and we as the fans and critics forget that these teams are still susceptible to the same set backs that plague the rest of the NBA.

Injuries, illnesses, suspensions, foul troubles and slumps happen to everyone, even the star-studded Heat and Knicks.  The recent drop in the standings for both teams is a result of each player on the rosters being human.

Gasp.

We sometimes forget that superstars are not immune to slumps and under-performing.  But the fact is that they are.  And while it does not justify either team not meeting expectations, it does provide a reason.

But it is understandable if this is not enough.  Perhaps the idea that New York and Miami are susceptible to the same unfortunate circumstances as every other team is not reason enough for recent events. 

Well, if this is the case then let's take a deeper look into the recent troubles of both teams.

The Heat have had their share of ups and downs this season.  They are currently fighting their way out of a very disappointing stretch of games.  However, it seems that Miami sees the light at the end of the tunnel.

Doesn't this sound familiar?

Miami struggled early on only to go on a tear for quite some time before coming back down to earth. This being said, the Heat have proved that they can be unstoppable at times.  Only a week ago Miami defeated the Spurs by 30 points.

The Heat have it in them, but they need to be consistent in their endeavors, which they have yet to prove they can be.

New York is in a similar situation.  Both before and after the Anthony trade the Knicks have at times played the part of a team that looks like it belongs among the league's elite.

But just like Miami, New York has failed to prove that it can consistently beat the NBA's elite as well as win games against weaker teams.

Lack of consistency seems to be a problem for both teams at this point.  However, it may be in an area other than the level of intensity and execution these teams bring each night.

In fact, the lack of consistency may be in the opposing teams that New York and Miami face each game.

What exactly is this referring to?

The Knicks and the Heat have targets on their back.  They represent the new era of the NBA and are definitely two of the most hated teams in the entire league.

Opposing teams come into each game against the Knicks and Heat looking to prove that they can defeat the rosters that are jam-packed with star power.  

This is part of the reason why the Knicks have struggled against the Cavaliers as of late, or why the Heat have suffered bad losses to teams like the Blazers.

When the Cavs play the Knicks or Heat, they are playing a lot harder than say if they play Pacers or the Magic.

New York and Miami are trying to become completely dominant teams in this league.  But the rest of the NBA is not going down without a fight.

The Knicks and Heat are actually in a tough positions.  Expectations are extremely high for both organizations, which puts an immense load of pressure on the coaching staff and players.  

And when you combine that with having to play each and every team when they are at their best, you have a disaster waiting to happen.  

On the one hand, should the Heat or Knicks lose in the first round of the playoffs, each team will be torn apart and scrutinized from every possible angle upon elimination.

On the other hand, should either team make a significant run in the postseason, it will have been expected, not celebrated.

Is this unfair?  Is it completely justifiable?

It's neither.  It is what it is.

But the Heat and Knicks would be foolish not to have expected such competition.  

Did either team actually think that the rest of the NBA was just going to roll over and watch as the Knicks and Heat try to beat the other elite teams?

Absolutely not.

This is why when you read about Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni or Heat coach Erik Spoelstra saying neither they or their players are worried about their recent slumps, you know it's true.

The Knicks and Heat, while possessing many advantages, also face many disadvantages. And this is not to make excuses, but it is reason for fans to take a deep breath.

No matter who Miami or New York play, they are facing a challenge.  The star-studded rosters of the Knicks and Heat motivate their opposition to bring their very best game every night.

So when the Knicks or Heat lose to teams such as the Cavs or Pacers, fans can take solace in knowing that there is no reason to panic.  Miami and New York will learn from each experience and adjust their game plans accordingly.

Regardless of what seed the Knicks or Heat take possession of going into the postseason, expect each team to have the kinks worked out and their chemistry to be at an all-time high.

This is the benefit of having a roster headlined by multiple stars.  When it really counts, the elite separate themselves from the rest.

New York and Miami have both distinguished themselves from the rest of the league by making a series of bold roster moves that resulted in them becoming targets for the rest of the NBA.

Come playoff time though, the roles will be reversed and both the Knicks and Heat will be the ones with the chip on their shoulder and something to prove.

And the rest of the playoff teams will have a bull's eye on their backs.