NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony Makes Knicks Prediction Before Season

Carmelo Anthony Gives Knicks Prediction Ahead of NBA Season

The Knicks have finished as a top-five seed in the East in each of the past three seasons, earning the No. 2 and No. 3 seed in the last two seasons, respectively. Given their standing and the outlook for the rest of the conference, many believe the Knicks can finish as the top seed in the East for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign. This includes Anthony, who played a key role with the team that season.

"They've been primed for this position for the past three, four years. They have everything that you could possibly need [for] a winning formula. They have the players. Have the point guard. They have the best shooting big man … We have the best big man shooter, possibly in the history of basketball," Anthony said during an NBA on NBC showcase on Monday.

"We have Jalen Brunson out there, who's running the point. ... We have Mike Brown, who's a coach bringing a different energy. I watch them in preseason. I see the fast pace that they playing with, I see the system that they playing with. ... Knicks would be the number one seed, and I've just dropped the microphone."

The Knicks do stand as one of the best teams in the conference, but this does not mean it is a guarantee for them to finish with the best record.

In addition to New York, another major team to keep an eye on is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who secured the No. 1 seed in the East last season. Furthermore, teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks will each look to make an impact as well.

While it will be difficult, it is reasonable to believe the Knicks can make Anthony's prediction come true.

They have a new head coach in Mike Brown, a two-time NBA Coach of the Year who has championship experience as an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors. Furthermore, as head coach of the Sacramento Kings in 2022-23, he led the team to a 119.4 ORTG (offensive rating), which was the best in league history at the time, according to StatMuse, but has been surpassed seven times since then. Given that the Knicks already have an elite offense, finishing last season with the fifth-best ORTG in the league, there are reasons to believe Brown could take this unit to the next level.

Additionally, New York had a busy offseason, signing Jordan Clarkson, Guerschon Yabusele and Malcolm Brogdon. Each veteran will look to add depth to the team and make an impact on the roster, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

The Knicks have not won a championship since 1973, but they are in a good position to potentially stop the drought this season. Many have high hopes for the team to succeed, and, as it stands, this may be their best chance in a long time to raise another banner in Madison Square Garden.

New York gets the new season underway by hosting the Cavaliers at 7 p.m. ET Oct. 22.