The news site of Verona High School

The Fairviewer

The news site of Verona High School

The Fairviewer

The news site of Verona High School

The Fairviewer

Bringing Life Back to the Garden

Today’s NBA is dominated by superstars. These elite players are the difference between a good team, and a championship team. Having five strong starters and a deep bench really just doesn’t get it done anymore. The last four teams to win the championship have been led by a superstar; Lebron James (2012), Dirk Nowtzki (2011), and Kobe Bryant (2010 and 2009).

When the Knicks made their move for scoring star Carmelo Anthony, it was clear they were going after a superstar to lead them to victory.  In the 2011-2012 NBA season shortened by a lockout, the Knicks finished the season six games above the .500 mark and were beaten by the Miami Heat in five games in the playoffs.

After the disappointing playoff loss, the star-studded Knicks roster featuring Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith, Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Jeremy Lin, Iman Shumpert, Barron Davis, and others became victims of the New York media’s criticism. The front office of the Knicks chose to part ways with point guard Jeremy Lin and brought back Raymond Felton to take Lin’s place.

The move to let go of Lin was debated in the media, but especially disliked the by the fans who were the basis of “Linsanity.” But it turns out no Lin, no problem. The Knicks opened the 2012-2013 season with a rout of the Miami Heat 104-84. The 6-0 start by the Knicks paved the way for their 54-win season, their first Atlantic Division title in 19 years, and the two seed in the Eastern Conference. The 2011-2012 roster that was filled with talent, turned into a team playing around one superstar in Carmelo Anthony.

“Its been awesome watching Melo,” said VHS senior Dean Denicola of the NBA’s leading scorer this season. “He has made watching the Knicks fun again.”

Many other feel the same way as Dean. This Knicks, led by Anthony’s MVP level of play, have reinvigorated the NBA for many teenagers in the New York/ New Jersey area who haven’t seen a good basketball team since the Jason Kidd NJ Nets era.

Whether the credit goes to the hiring of Coach Mike Woodson, good personnel decisions by the Knicks’ front office, or the play of their superstar Carmelo Anthony, the 2013 Knicks, currently battling the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals, have found a way to win and have brought life back to the Garden in the process.

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