New York Knicks closer to contending than Los Angeles Lakers

December 25, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) greets New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) following the 100-94 victory at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 25, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) greets New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) following the 100-94 victory at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Both the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers were in 2013 postseason but both missed out on the playoffs last year. The Knicks nearly got into the playoffs while the Lakers were the second-worst team in the Western Conference. The Lakers, of course, were without Kobe Bryant and will be getting him back this season, which has led to some optimism.

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According to Chuck Myron of Hoops Rumors, the Knicks are closer to contending than the Lakers.

"I think it’ll be tough for that team to contend as long as they’re shelling out bloated deals to both Kobe and Nick Young. It’ll help them out quite a bit if the salary cap rises significantly this summer, but there’s really not much on that roster. It’d take more than one superstar signee to lift the team into contention, especially if Kobe isn’t 100% of what he was before the injury. I think the Knicks are closer because Carmelo is still in his prime and there are better pieces around him (Calderon, Shumpert, Hardaway, etc.) All bets are off if Julius Randle turns out to be a stud, however."

The west is so loaded that the Knicks are the answer here and it isn’t even close. That doesn’t mean the Lakers can’t quickly catch the Knicks talent-wise but it will be much easier for the Knicks to make it out of the Eastern Conference.

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