On Thursday June 21, 2012, the Miami Heat won the NBA Championship. And they did it in dominating fashion. Will any team be able to stop the Heat next season? The New York Knicks have as good a chance as anyone. But a lot of things have to fall right for them. Here's how the Knicks can challenge the Heat next season.
Get Healthy, Stay Healthy
To contend for an NBA title, teams must stay healthy. However, the Knicks have been plagued by injuries these past two seasons. Amar'e Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Jeremy Lin have missed quite a few games because of injuries. The Knicks also lost Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert to serious knee injuries during the 2012 NBA Playoffs. The Knicks must find a way to stay healthy in the regular season and playoffs.
Maintain Depth
The Knicks are seriously concerned about keeping Lin and forward Steve Novak. But a hearing about their Bird rights and Early Bird rights will determine their fate. The Knicks will likely sign Lin. But if the courts rule against them, then Novak is as good as gone. The Knicks also have to worry about signing other free agents including Landry Fields and J.R. Smith.
Nash would bring veteran leadership and stabilize the point guard position. The highly-talented guard said that he would consider coming to New York. Nash is still playing at a high level. He would also be a great tutor for Lin.
Big Three Playing as One
In 2012, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh finally learned how to play well together. They played unselfishly and put winning first. Now the big three on the Knicks must do the same. Stoudemire and Anthony need to find the same synergy that James and Wade have. Chandler has already meshed with his teammates well.
This is what the Knicks need to do to challenge the Heat next season. The first order of business is to sign their free agents. Then a full training camp and preseason will give them time to gel. The Knicks have enough talent to win. They just need to put winning first.
More from Edwin Torres:
LeBron James' Flopping is a Disgrace to the NBA: Fan's Take
Amar'e Stoudemire Hurts Himself and the New York Knicks with One Punch: Fan Reaction
Time to Give Owner James Dolan Credit for These New York Knicks: Fan Reaction
Did Racism Keep Jeremy Lin Down? Fan View
Edwin Torres was born in New York City. He has been a Knicks fan since the early 1980s. He has visited Madison Square Garden on many occasions to watch the Knicks and his favorite player, Patrick Ewing. For more articles, follow him on Twitter @FlipPoker.
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