The New York Knicks have a great future ahead of them, and just over a year ago, a bright future seemed a distant possibility.
With the free agent acquisition this summer of power forward and NBA all-star Amare Stoudemire,the Knicks have a quality offensive big man.
The Knicks still have lots of salary cap room remaining after a year long salary purge put into effect to try to persuade Lebron James and Amare Stoudemire to come to New York City.
After Lebron refused to sign with New York, the Knicks signed point guard Raymond Felton, a solid guard who can pass and shoot, who signed for a modest $8m per year.
Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets is a free agent next year. He has reportedly turned down a contract extension with the Nuggets to perhaps test the free agent waters next summer.
Anthony has made no secret he would like to play under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden in New York.
With Carmelo, Felton, and Amare, the Knicks would have a formidable lineup. With good reserve players such as Danilo Gallinari, and WIlson Chandler, the Knicks would be able to assemble a productive bench around their stars.
New York will not be a title contending team in 2011, but in 2012 the Big Apple will have plenty of basketball excitement.
The Knicks being relevant and successful is not only good for the city of New York, but the NBA as a whole.