NBA: Eastern Conference Championship candidates

4. New York Knicks:

Although their roster does not lack talent, the Knicks will have their task cut out when it comes to making the Conference Finals

Key Starters: – Carmelo Anthony (NBA’s reigning scoring champion) and Iman Shumpert (All-Rookie first team in 2012)

Key Reserves: – J.R. Smith (NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year last season)

Key Acquisitions: – Metta World Peace and Andrea Bargnani

They have names that a lot of basketball fans recognize as good players; Melo, Shumpert, Smith, Tyson Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, World Peace, Kenyon Martin, Raymond Felton, they can all play, but somehow they can’t get it done.

Repeating their previous season record of 54-28 is expecting too much from the Knicks, but there is hope with the acquiring of the new recruits in World Peace and Bargnani.

Even after acquiring Melo they have never made it to the Conference Finals and whether it is multiple injuries or lack of effective coaching, the Knicks have to figure out themselves if they want to contend for a title.