Still Not a Believer: Knickerbocker Edition

It’s New York, so of course there’s going to be lots and lots of love for the Knickerbockers in a year in which they currently own the best record in the Eastern Conference. There’s talk of Carmelo Anthony for MVP. There’s talk of best team in the Association. There’s talk of dethroning the Heat.

But, talk is cheap. Analyzing the situation, trends, and historical precedents, reveal what should be more realistic expectations for this Knicks team.

Want to Be Part of It: NY Knicks 12-13 Preview (Pt. 2)

While immensely unpopular, I do not fault the Knicks' decision to let two of the organization's young and promising players walk in Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields. Both showed clusters of greatness, but neither had sustained that level of play for a full season, and both are now being paid as if they had. Shrewd owners make decisions that are not always popular. Neither Lin nor Fields would have put New York over the top.

That being said, shrewd owners don't raze the farm to get a player that replicates the star player you already have. Shrewd owners also know when they have a real team on the cusp of greatness.