Charting The NBA’s Atlantic Division: Raptors Look To Continue Its Roll

New York Knicks

Current Record: (5-35)

(End of Week) Predicted Record: (6-35)

It may seem improbable, given the implosion of the New York Knicks this season, but this week could spell the end of their painfully long losing skid. The Knickerbockers will only play one game this week, and it’ll come on the road against the surprisingly good Miluakee Bucks.

Several big name players are hurt on both sides of this contest, most notably Carmelo Anthony is listed as questionable for the game on Thursday. Should he play, it will certainly give the Knicks a realistic shot at pulling out a win. He has recently acknowledged that knee surgery will realistically be his only option, but said that until the procedure he wishes to remain active, per ESPN’s Ian Begley.

It is unclear of the direction that Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher are headed in with this year’s New York squad, but barring a never before seen winning streak it is unlikely that we’ll be seeing postseason basketball in the World’s Most Famous Arena for the foreseeable future.

Player to Watch: As it seems to be the case with most of the teams in the Atlantic Division, the Knicks’ roster is in a current state of flux. However, this means that Tim Hardaway Jr. is now the unquestioned second in command to Carmelo Anthony now that both Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith have been shipped off to Cleveland. If Melo remains out of action Thursday, Hardaway’s shoulders will have to bare the weight of ending the losing streak. If his recent spike in fantasy popularity is any indication, many feel he can carry the load.

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