D'Antoni Believes Knicks can win it all in 2011-12

New York Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni is feeling pretty confident about his team for the upcoming 2011-12 season. In a radio interview on WFAN in NY with drive-time regular Mike Francesa, D'Antoni was exuberant about his Knicks team and their chances of winning for the upcoming season.

D'Antoni stated that the Knicks have the ability to win a NBA Championship in 2011-12, falling short of predicting a championship for the Knicks.
"We do have the ability to win it all." He also said, "We're one of the top-tier teams."
Regarding the blockbuster acquisition of standout center Tyson Chandler, D'Antoni said he will "anchor the defense inside." D'Antoni gave some insight into his own thinking and his vision for Chandler's role on this year's Knick team, comparing the new center to a legendary Celtic - Bill Russell. Bill Russell "covered up a lot of mistakes for the Celtics." D'Antoni said Chandler can help do that for the Knicks this season.

D'Antoni has reason for optimism
Early last year, D'Antoni had his group of up-and-coming players, anchored by the re-invigorated Ray Felton running the point, playing basketball at a high level. As the team improved, and the individual performances and consistency of Gallinari, Chandler, and Felton solidified, management sensed an opportunity to grab one of the game's biggest stars, Carmello Anthony. Building on their acquisition of Amar'e Stoudemire, they pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade which brought big name buzz back to the Garden for the first since the days of Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston.

The subsequent results were mixed, as the Knicks, although competitive, succumb to injuries and were soundly beaten in the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.

With Tyson Chandler, the Knicks finally have a big center inside to grab rebounds and defend around the basket. As a team, the Knicks were one of the more active teams with regard to blocked shots. Amar'e Stoudemire averaged nearly 2 blocked shots per game, as he was forced to play center for the better part of the 2009-2010 season. Chandler brings to the Knicks a solid, true center with a desire and tenacity to battle it out on the boards, and determination on defense. It is apparent that his work ethic and drive is having a trickle down effect. Stoudemire and Anthony already brought a certain swagger and attitude to the team. With Chandler, the Knicks big three will certainly lead by example, as their actions during practice and on the court will inspire their teammates to greater achievements. 

As for putting points on the board, Melo and Amare Soutedmire were the third and sixth leading points per game scorers in the NBA in 2010-11, respectively. The only other NBA team with that kind of firepower is the Miami Heat with their tandem of LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, who comprised the second and fourth leading scorers respectively last season.

Tyson Chandler knows a thing or two about the Miami Heat as the center for the NBA Champ Mavericks. Chandler averaged 9.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game last season. He was the biggest presence around the basket in the Finals and a "big" reason (pun intended) why the Mavs are the reigning NBA Champions, having disposed of the Heat in 6 games.

As for the Bill Russell comparison, Tyson Chandler is not Bill Russell - Mike D'Antoni never said he was. D'Antoni was alluding to the fact that Chandler could potentially bring that same type of defensive intensity and leadership to the Knicks, a team starving for defensive improvements, that Russell brought to the Celtics.

Knicks Can Win It All in 2011-12
As long the New York Knicks can keep their Big Three of Carmelo Anthony, Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler healthy, they should an excellent shot at capturing the NBA Championship. They now have the scoring, rebounding, and the inside presence they need to win big. The big question that remains is that of depth, and distribution - but that is a story for another day.