Jared Zwerling

  (11:59 AM)

Chatting now until about 1 p.m. ET ... Let's go!

Youngsville louisiana [via mobile]

What is carmelo going to do now that lebron has a ring

Jared Zwerling

  (12:05 PM)

Carmelo has had a great offseason. He worked hard with renowned NBA trainer Idan Ravin. See an article I wrote about it back in July: http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/21838/idan-ravin-the-man-behind-melos-training ... He obviously had a solid stint with the Olympic team, shooting the ball well, playing inside. Physically and offensively, he's ready to have a superb season. I still think that Carmelo has more to prove to remove the "isolation scorer" tag. That means becoming a better team player. But Carmelo won't ever be LeBron. Not many guys ever will. But Melo needs to work better with Amare, for starters, which will create more balance and spacing on the court. I think with Amare playing more out of the post, that will help their on-court relationship. Defensive consistency is key, too, for both of them.

Stuart (Brooklyn, NY)

Who's your favorite Knick? Walt Frazier, Earl the Pearl, Willis Reed or Bill Bradley? That was a great team back in the 70's.

Jared Zwerling

  (12:06 PM)

I really liked Charles Oakley. The ultimate role player.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Who will be the New Faces for the New York Knicks for the 2012-2013 season?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:07 PM)

Felton, Camby, Kidd, Brewer, Prigioni, White, Copeland, Thomas and likely another big. Maybe Kenyon Martin? Maybe Louis Amundson? We'll see. Nothing set yet.

mattr1990 (New York, NY)

What are ure expectations for the Knicks vets with the upcoming season. Im worried that a dude like Camby could get hurt easily.

Jared Zwerling

  (12:10 PM)

There is that risk with Camby. He's missed games in the past. But I think now that he's a reserve and will be asked to play less minutes, I think we'll see a more consistently healthy Camby. The other top vet they picked up (Kidd) is in a similar boat. No question the Knicks will need both of them, especially because the Atlantic Division is so competitive this season. There will be more pressure on each team in the division to perform at a high level every night, because it can affect long-term seeding. A few losses here and there can mean the Knicks go from the third or fourth seed to the seventh. Do you really want to see the Heat again in the first round?

cyrus the virus baldwin,ny [via mobile]

with the lakers and heat destined to fight for the nba title, is there any point to watching the knicks season considering there is no shot at them winning a championship?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:13 PM)

Definitely. Things happen. It's a long season. Injuries, lack of chemistry at times, off-the-court distractions. The Heat went through a slump last season, but picked it up at the right time. The Knicks can do the same thing. They're talented offensively and added some strong defensive pieces. They're one of the deepest teams in the league, and if they're healthy come May, watch out. I'd stay tuned because the Knicks will be competitive and should make things interesting. Amare Stoudemire is the key. If he's looking like 2010-11 STAT, that's a huge bonus to the team.

Dillon (Rochester, NY) [via mobile]

An ESPN article talks about Bosh giving the Knicks praise for the team they put together and thinks they are contenders in the Eastern Conference. Can we make some noise this season and get to the NBA Finals, or is this just a first or second round knockout?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:15 PM)

I'm predicting Eastern Conference finals. With the defense they added, and having Melo and Amare on offense, that goes a long way. The Celtics are their toughest competition to get there, but can Pierce and Garnett's health hold up all the way to May? We'll see. They're up there in age.

Carlos (Dominican Republic)

Jared, why people doubt so much on the Knicks? They do everything they must do to improve the team,still ESPN ranks they to finish 7th, Barkley rips the Knicks again (seems like no matter what the Knicks do, he'll just gonna rip the organization). Why are people talking about the 76ers being better than the Knicks?Why this hate.. why all this doubt?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:19 PM)

Check this story I wrote here -- http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/post/_/id/24569/top-10-knicks-topics-that-wont-go-away ... I think some of that has something to do with it -- at least with some fans and media. Also, questions always surround Melo and Amare. That's at the core of it, too. But I do think the Knicks are better than the Sixers because the Knicks have an All-Star veteran interior with an All-Star veteran perimeter player in Melo. While the Sixers have Bynum, Evan Turner is not seasoned enough. Overall, they have young perimeter players who still have a lot to prove.

Josh (NY)

Why would the knicks go after Tmac instead of a big man?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:19 PM)

It was just a workout. Sources tell me a big man is their priority. Kenyon Martin, Louis Amundson, D.J. White and Chris Andersen are all available.

Tom (CT)

as a Northwestern alum and HUGE Knicks fan I was overjoyed to see the Knicks sign NU's all-time leading scorer John Shurna to a partially guaranteed contract. How good are his chances to make and stay on the team? Is his role backing up Novak?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:21 PM)

Sources tell me he's bound for Erie. As I just mentioned, their priority is a big man to be their final roster spot.

jesse (columbus, oh)

what's the higher PER this year.. Lin or Felton + Kidd

Jared Zwerling

  (12:22 PM)

Felton and Kidd. More experience. What helps is that they have Melo, Amare and Tyson surrounding them. Playmaking will come easier.

Stuart (Brooklyn, NY)

But Oak never won a championship with the Knicks. I take it you never saw those 70's Knicks in person like I did many times. Reed vs. Wilt and Alcindor were very memorable games indeed.

Jared Zwerling

  (12:23 PM)

He got them very close. I grew up in the 80s, but have watched a lot of tape of those guys and have met them all in person. I just really respected the toughness, sacrifices and all the little things Oak brought to the table.

steve l (Brooklyn)

It seems like Kenyon Martin is the Knicks number one choice for the 15th and last roster spot do you forsee a deal getting done anytime soon

Jared Zwerling

  (12:24 PM)

I agree he's No. 1. Not sure how soon it will happen, but I would say if it does, by next week. Training camp is very close.

Ricko (Harlem)

Alot of teams are very deep but all 15 guys wont be able to suit up each night correct how many guys are allowed to be suited up for game time

Jared Zwerling

  (12:25 PM)

Eight players must suit up for every game and a team must have 12 players on its active roster, but it is allowed to drop to 11 for a maximum of two weeks at a time.

Aaron (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

Do you think K-Mart will eventually accept a vet's min & go to NY? Also, you think there's a serious chance at a T-Mac return?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:27 PM)

I don't think there's a serious chance with T-Mac. As for Martin, I wouldn't be surprised if Melo and Smith, who both played with Martin in Denver, tried to persuade him to take less money -- if not already. But I also think Martin wants to stay in LA. We'll see what happens.

Alex (Anaheim)

Can Novak replicate his high 3-point percentage from last year?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:28 PM)

I don't think so. Teams are going to be more aware of him now. I think he'll be in the 42, 44 percent range.

jesse (columbus, oh)

is my brother dumb for naming his new puppy Melo after a guy who hasn't even won a playoff series in NYC yet?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:31 PM)

Many former great players haven't won championships. But Melo is a great player who's young and still playing. He has a great chance. So why not?

Lenny (nyc)

Dont forget kidd also has a history playing with martin in nj, as does camby in denver. Lots of familiar faces.

Jared Zwerling

  (12:31 PM)

Yes, agreed.

Jesse (Columbus, OH)

The Knicks had about six mini-seasons/identities within 66 games last year. Can we expect more consistency in 2012-13?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:33 PM)

They're deeper and better defensively, so yes.

Aaron (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)

What impact do you think Hakeem teaching Melo, TC & Camby the Dream Shake, in addition to STAT, will bring? Will it bring a significant offensive improvement?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:36 PM)

Excellent. All those guys need to refine their post games. Woodson is smart to orchestrate this, because he realizes for his stars to play better together, they need to have more defined roles at times on the court. Melo and Amare can't be both positioned in isolation situations on the perimeter. That can stall the ball. Also, because the Knicks have versatility on their roster -- they can use big and small lineups -- it will require players to take on different roles at times. The post is key to create spacing on the court and obviously get easy buckets, especially out of double teams.

Donnell (Basketball Hall of Fame)

I love the way Melo plays during international ball seems to play more aggressive on the boards down low and better D think we will see him bring the same intensity this season

Jared Zwerling

  (12:39 PM)

I agree. He's looking good. Ready to go.

Izzy (NY)

What's up with Malcolm Thomas?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:42 PM)

Nothing really. If anything, maybe a training camp deal. But he'll be in the same boat as Shurna, Sims, Bellfield and Thompson -- likely bound for Erie.

Jesse (Columbus, OH)

I try to get to one road Knicks game each year. Where city/arena should I visit this year? I've been to Indy, Dallas, Detroit, Cleveland

Jared Zwerling

  (12:43 PM)

Boston. Great environment for basketball. It's real loud in there.

Jesse (Columbus, OH)

Who takesover as Beard Captain this year with Baron Davis out? My Pick is Chandler moves up from the top Lieutenant's role and lead's this team to a harry faced future

Jared Zwerling

  (12:46 PM)

I'm not sure we'll see it. Shump's grown the most hair, but on his head -- bringing back the flat top.

Lenny (nyc)

Any update on the Isiah front after the reported meeting with Dolan? Is Dolan really considering him for an official position?

Jared Zwerling

  (12:49 PM)

I don't really think it's new news. My thing is this: if Dolan really wanted to bring back Thomas before FIU or after FIU, he could do it whenever. I think they just have a good relationship and meet up from time to time. I think Friday's meeting was more scrutinized because O'Neil had resigned that week.

Jared Zwerling

  (12:59 PM)

Thank you for your time! If you have any further questions or comments, hit me up on Twitter @JaredZwerling