The New York Knicks, with Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony leading a high-powered offense, are rising up the charts in the NBA pecking order. The Knicks (33-29) are No. 10 this week in the SB Nation Power Rankings, jumping from 15th just a week ago.
Here is what SB Nation's Tom Ziller had to say about the Knicks:
OK, I'm sold that New York's crazy offense can win enough games despite the glaring defensive issues. If nothing else, this will be a fun, fun ride to the apocalypse.
The New Jersey Nets (19-43) have also crept up a few places in the rankings since acquiring point guard Deron Williams. The Nets placed 25th in the 30 team league after sweeping two games from the Toronto Raptors in London.
SB Nation's Ziller was really encouraged by what he saw from the Nets during the two games against Toronto:
The Nets swept the London Games, so I suppose the best-case scenario is to relocate to the United Kingdom instead of Brooklyn! If Brook Lopez can play in Newark like he did in London, and Deron Williams stays healthy, the Nets could be an easy playoff team next season.
Both of those, of course, are huge "ifs." Nice for Nets' fans to think about, though. New Jersey needs to be a playoff team to get Williams to consider staying long-term.
Here are how the rankings shake out above the No. 10 Knicks.