2013-14 NBA Bench Power Rankings
By Alex Siquig
May 18, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith (8) reacts to losing to the Indiana Pacers in game six of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
20. New York Knicks
I will assume that Andrea Bargnani get the start at power forward. This pushes Carmelo Anthony to his “natural” position at small forward, which unfortunately lowers his efficiency as well as his potency. In any case, this weirdo team continues to be weird, and their miracle early and late pushes last season seem less likely against an improved Eastern Conference. And their bench? How great will it be this year?
J.R. Smith
Metta World Peace
Kenyon Martin
Amare Stoudemire
Jeremy Tyler
It’s a knucklehead convention! Better than a bunch of old guys (Camby and Rasheed were sent out to pasture), but then again, World Peace and Kenyon Martin are not spring chickens, or chickens of any kind. They are just kind of old in basketball terms. Jeremy Tyler was chastened by repeated missteps with the Warriors and hopes to get his basketball existence secured. Amare Stoudemire is judging a Miss America contest, applying for Israeli citizenship, and trying his hand at comedy. Reigning 6th man of the year J.R. Smith is Waiting For Godot for the Tumblr generation. I fearlessly predict a slew of 0-14 nights and just a few tantalizing 7-8 from three-point bombardments. The Knicks are one of the most beloved franchises in history, and they are going to win more games than they lose, but the bench will be inconsistent and volatile and weird, just like the team and the organization in general. If things go badly, Carmelo might just force his way to Brooklyn. I just made that up obviously, but sportswriters from sea to shining sea are going to be repeating that if things don’t go superbly for New York.
Also, Beno Udrih is probably not a knucklehead, but he might be. I’m going to keep my eye on him…