KEEP SLEEPING...

As NBA training camps are readying and as the free agent class dwindles down ...
The talk of the off season continues to center around:
-Dwight Howard's departure to Houston, as he joins James Harden and company generating title aspirations.
-The Spurs keeping their Western Conference Champion team together for another run at the title while signing FA Marco Belinelli etc.
-The Warriors after an impressive run signing Andre Iguodala.
-The return of a healthy Derrick Rose in Chicago and Westbrook in OKC.
-The Pacers resigning David West, Signing Chris Copeland, trading for Luis Scola, and the impending healthy return of former all star Danny Granger.
-The Nets trading for all star's Pierce and Garnett, signing FA Andre Kirilenko and new coach Jason Kidd.
-The Heat chasing Injury Prone Greg Oden in search of legitimate size up front.
Etc, Etc, Etc!!!

But who's flying under the radar?
Who's being 'slept on'?

My KnicksTape! That' who!

And this fact is A-OK with me!
I would hope they "fly under the radar" all season and eventually shock the world like my New York Football Giants did a la 2007.

I do believe that this has a great chance of happening for many reasons.

Firstly, the Knicks are going to be better than last years team which finished 2nd in the Eastern Conference with 54 wins. (After most analysts predicted we would finish 6th or so). This year we are predicted by most to finish as a 5th seed at best.

How are we better?

Well, let's take a look at the departures of: Chris Copeland, Steve Novak. Jason Kidd and Marcus Camby... And compare those players to the New Arrivals of: Metta World Peace and Andrea Bargnani.

Metta brings an attitude of Grit and Toughness that we lacked last year as Bargnani brings the outside shooting we lost by losing Copeland but in a Veteran's body (that's hoping he stays healthy). The loss of Kidd's presence on court will be replaced by Pablo Prigioni's bigger role on court and Metta's presence in the locker room.

The point is, this years version of the #KnicksTape is extremely better 'on paper' with...
-Tyson Chandler fully healthy (he was not so in the playoffs by any means).
-Amare Stoudemire hopefully staying healthy. When he was, he gave us 13ppg and 5rebs a game in about 20mins of action of the bench.
-JR Smith re-signed to a steal of a contract(approx 6 mil a year for the 6th man of the year) also played on a bum knee all year and coming off of a well needed knee surgery.
-Bargnani spreading the floor while giving Melo more room to operate
-Felton having a year under his belt should give him more insight on how to successfully run this team on a consistent bases.
-Shumpert, after an amazing season coming off of ACL surgery should and will only get better.
-A full season of the energetic Kenyon Martin (also re-signed) brings more toughness on defense and on the glass.

The Knicks finally have balance on both ends of the court.
Defensive minded players at every position:
Guards Prigoni and Shumpert, Forwards Metta and Kenyon and Center Tyson Chandler.
Offensive Fire Power in:
 Guards Felton and Smith, as well as in the Frontcourt with Melo (Last years scoring champ), Bargnani and Stat.

But don't take my word for it... Keep sleeping on these Knickas!

#KnicksTape2014