Areas of Strength:
Offense. With Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, the Knicks have two of the best scorers in the league locked up for another four seasons. That's a pretty good start when you're trying to build a championship contender. There will be nights when even the best defenses in the league can't slow them down.

Needs Work:
Defense. With both Anthony and Stoudemire on the floor, the Knicks were awful defensively. As a result, New York was outscored by 54 points in their 776 minutes on the floor together. In order to truly contend in the Eastern Conference, they will need their stars and coach Mike D'Antoni to make a commitment to the defensive end of the floor.

Two Stats That Matter:
111.5 -- Points allowed per 100 possessions when Anthony and Stoudemire were on the floor together, equivalent to the worst defense in the league.

$13.9 million -- Knicks' projected cap space in 2012 if the salary cap were to remain the same and they didn't add more long-term salary this summer.

The Way To Go:
If the Knicks want to add another star in 2012, they have to hope that the new collective bargaining agreement doesn't restrict them, and they have to remain flexible. A first round pick with two guaranteed years will eat away at some of the above cap space, but they needs to surround their stars with cheap role players that can defend and shoot.

2010-11 Team Stats:
Offensive: 108.3 (5th)
Defensive: 106.9 (21st)

Players Under Contract:
G: Toney Douglas
G: Chauncey Billups
G: Landry Fields
G: Andy Rautins
G/F: Bill Walker
F: Carmelo Anthony
F: Renaldo Balkman
F/C: Amar'e Stoudemire
C: Ronny Turiaf (Player Option)

Free Agents:
G: Anthony Carter
G: Roger Mason Jr.
F: Derrick Brown
F: Jared Jeffries
F: Shawne Williams
F: Shelden Williams

-- John Schuhmann