Knicks: Five Reasons New York Will Make The Playoffs

Mar 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after a basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after a basket against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
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Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) waits for play to resume against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Knicks 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) waits for play to resume against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Knicks 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

1. Olympic ‘Melo

If only one thing bodes well for the New York Knicks, it’s the fact that Carmelo Anthony just won an Olympic gold medal. There’s a track record of great things happening to Anthony’s NBA team following said achievement.

If history truly is an indication of what’s come, then the Knicks will be a postseason team during the 2016-17 season.

After Anthony won the 2008 Olympic gold medal, he led the 2008-09 Denver Nuggets to 54 wins. Denver also reached the Western Conference Finals, where it took the eventual NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers to six games.

Anthony followed the 2012 Olympic gold medal by leading the 2012-13 Knicks to 54 wins—the magic number.

The 2016-17 Knicks may not win 54 games, but Anthony tends to follow the Olympics with career-best seasons. No matter what his statistics are, his leadership and big-game proficiency improves.

If Olympic Anthony shows up in 2016-17, then the Knicks will be a postseason team.

must read: Five reasons Carmelo Anthony will win an NBA title

No matter what the critics are saying, don’t lose faith; New York can and will make the playoffs in 2017.