New York Knicks Are Legitimate Eastern Conference Contenders

1. Hunger & Accountability

As previously established, the New York Knicks project to have one of the most dominant interior defenses in the NBA. That alone is reason to believe the Knicks will have an opportunity to make the playoffs in 2016-17.

What makes the Knicks a true contender in the Eastern Conference, however, is a combination of hunger and accountability.

The Knicks are a veteran team with established players who are hungry for success. Carmelo Anthony, Courtney Lee, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose have all made deep postseason runs, and all are accepting nothing less than a championship as success.

That hunger should be the foundation for New York working to improve upon any and every flaw that may present itself in 2016-17.

Beyond the hunger is the next stage in turning dreams into reality: accountability. With a team that shares a hunger, those who fail to carry their weight will be held accountable and called out by both players and coaches.

In other words, if the Knicks’ season begins to slip away, this veteran team won’t let that happen without addressing the proverbial elephant in the room.

Must Read: Championship or bust is the only rational mentality for the 2016-17 New York Knicks

There may be teams with superior athleticism or upside, but the Knicks are a team flush with veterans who have something to prove.

Every team wants to win, but the hunger in New York shouldn’t be matched in 2016-17.