Are Knicks Built for Post-Season Stardom?

Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

After the Knicks drubbed the defending champion Miami Heat in a 20-point blowout without their superstars Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire on Thursday night, New York proved that there is another team set for NBA Finals stardom.

At 14-4, the Knicks phenomenal start has been no fluke. The team has one of the most potent, high-octane offenses in the league powered by Anthony, who drops in about 26 points per game, which ranks in the top three of NBA players (behind Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant). And he’s one of the more consistent players in the league, which a team can count on downt he stretch in tight playoff games.

They also have a point guard — Raymond Felton — more decisive than Jeremy Lin would have ever been in New York this season. Last night, he burned the Heat for 27 points, four rebounds seven assists and two steals on 50 percent shooting from the field. Through the first month of the season, he’s tallying 16 points per game to post an impressive 18.35.

Currently, the team is unbelievably good at home, compiling a perfect 7-0 record which includes wins against the Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. And they’re getting hotter. The Knicks are on a five-game winning streak and averaging 43 percent from the field in that span.

But can they stay hot for the rest of the season?

The Knicks do have a few streaky players. One such player is J.R. Smith, who can heat it up from the three-point arc and drop below zero temperature in a matter of minutes on the floor. Felton has also been deemed such a player over the course of his career, so there is some skepticism on how long they can maintain their hot streak.

But the Knicks don’t need to rely on these guys to make a steady impact on the season. They just need it when it counts: the playoffs.

And the Knicks thumping of the Heat gave us a good indication of how potent they can be against a top-tier playoff team. And a team as hungry as the Knicks with players to key big offensive swings in pivotal playoff moments will sure make them favorites in an otherwise unchallenging Eastern Conference.