Batman returns to the big screen this summer in The Dark Knight Rises. In the film, Gotham is threatened by the terrorist leader Bane. Currently in New York, the real life Gotham, the bane of the city is the lousy New York Knicks.
With all-stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire, the Knicks were expecting to be a top seed in the playoffs this season. However, if the season ended today, the Knicks would not be in the post season.
The Knicks have struggled to a 7-12 record this season.
The Knicks have several problems to address. Firstly, New York has inconsistent point guard play. The signing of 32-year-old veteran Baron Davis and his beard are supposed to improve the postion, but Davis is still sitting on the bench due to injury.
Baron Davis is reportedly out shape and not ready to be in the Knicks line-up.
Another issue the New York media harp on is turnovers. The Knicks are tied for the third-most turnovers per game in the NBA and have the fourth least assists per game.
Most likely, these early struggles are due to a team of stars struggling to mesh after a locked-out off-season without training camp. Tyson Chandler came over from the Mavericks to be a defensive stopper, but has struggled to fit into the Knick's offense.
It is not time to give up on the Knicks. When Carmelo and Davis return to action, the Knicks could be an offensive powerhouse. The recent emergence of Bill Walker as a scoring threat off the bench may energize the lethargic New York second unit.
I would be surprised if the Knicks do not make the playoffs in the end, but they need to rise back up, like the Dark Knight, in order to restore order to the basketball world.
