The New York Knicks had a great chance to make the playoffs after ripping off a streak of eight-straight wins in the middle of March, but ultimately they ended up right where we all expected them to — on the outside looking in. Prior to the season, many speculated that the Knicks would be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Amar’e Stoudemire thinks they should have been.
After New York was officially eliminated from the postseason, Stoudemire talked about the expectations surrounding the team heading into the year.
“They should have been a little bit higher if you ask me,” Stoudemire said, via ESPNNewYork.com. “On paper we might be the best team in the league. We’ve got great players on this team who accomplished so much. We just couldn’t put it together.”
Best in the league? No chance. Teams like the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers are way more loaded than the Knicks even on paper. That said, New York certainly had a better team on paper than the results reflected.
Stoudemire was injured for much of the year, but his play down the stretch kept the Knicks in contention. He has averaged 16.2 points and and 6.2 rebounds per game since the start of March. He simply got healthy too late.
“It’s been a tough year. It’s been a roller coaster year for us all,” Stoudemire added. “… Not making the playoffs is not an option. That’s not an option for us. We’re definitely looking to make the playoffs every year.”
The Knicks’ problems run deeper than Stoudemire’s poor health, and everyone knows it. Now that the playoffs are officially not an option, New York needs to worry about keeping Carmelo Anthony. Good luck with that.
