Knicks pick up a veteran big man

While the New York Knicks are known for having three All-Star caliber players that struggle to find a rhythm, they are still the second best team in the east. With Tyson Chandler and Melo truly finding a good pace of play together, and Amare Stoudamire happily falling into the sixth man role (sometimes), the team has put up some great numbers, starting out as one of the hottest teams in the league. While they have dropped in January and February, and their insane shooting clip has seemed to fizzle out (they are currently in a shooting slump), the Knicks could use an extra spark. Hopefully veteran big man Kenyon Martin can help find that ignition button.

After letting go of forward Ronnie Brewer, the Knicks opened up space on their roster to sign free-agent Kenyon Martin. After playing a majority of his career in Denver and New Jersey, Martin, who is 35, averaged 5.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 22 minutes for the Los Angeles Clippers last season. While the numbers aren't insanely impressive, Martin is known as being a defensive force on the court, as well as a solid veteran to help pump up a team. Martin mostly brings some stability to a team with two question marks surrounding back up big men Marcus Camby and Rasheed Wallace.

While Martin hasn't played a lick this season, if he is in shape, he’ll make a splash. This season has been synonymous with Melo learning there are two sides of the court in basketball (thanks to Jason Kidd), and Martin and Melo were teammates during Melo’s only run to a conference championship. Maybe being united with a former defensive and leadership presence will help the Knicks continue to hold on to that second place spot in the east. J.R Smith of the Knicks was also on the Nuggets team who made it to the conference championships, and all three players were teammates with Marcus Camby in Denver as well.

Will the Knicks be able to find their shot and challenge the Miami Heat for the top spot in the east? Are the Knicks capable of making their first long run in the playoffs since Spike Lee was still relevant? Keep up with the NBA as it heads into the second half of the 2012/2013 season.

Photo courtesy of Urban Informer