Are the Knicks a top 5 defensive team in the league?

[xxplayerxx23]

J-Kidd does play defense. Not great but he is average-above average. Felton is a tough nosed defedner also not great. And Melo has brought his d up to Average on the ball defense. They wont be top 5 but they can be top 10-12 range

[PhillyFaninLA]

A lot of people still think the Knicks don't play defense even though the defensive rating was at 5.

Watching shows a lot more then stats can. The Knicks are not a good defensive team, they will be better can't hold a candle to quite a few teams.

[keetyweedy]

Lol hell No

[Punk]

Watching shows a lot more then stats can. The Knicks are not a good defensive team, they will be better can't hold a candle to quite a few teams.

Most absurd thing I've read all week.

[Raph12]

They were top 5 last season, but Melo and Stat sat off a lot and it was a condensed season, so we'll see.

[jayjay33]

The knicks played excellent defense under woodson. I wish all the people saying no would at least say what they thik will be different. Do you not think they will give as much effort? Any anybody who thinks melo "can't" play D does not know what they are talking about.

[LongIslandIcedZ]

Weren't they top five in defensive points per possession? I may have made that up, but I believe its the case.

[BradHolt4CYoung]

Im pretty sure the Knicks were outside the top 10 last year in opponents points per game. Isn't that what matters? Isn't the point of playing defense to stop the opposition from scoring?

[Lakers+Giants]

No.

Top ten sure, but not top 5.

This.

[justinnum1]

Weren't they top five in defensive points per possession? I may have made that up, but I believe its the case.

That doesn't mean a whole lot. They could never get a stop when they needed to.

[colinskik]

That doesn't mean a whole lot. They could never get a stop when they needed to.

They stopped Wade from hitting that shot in game 4...

Yes, i'm joking ...kinda

[97NYer]

They were top 5 last year and added Camby and Kurt Thomas and Felton. For everyone saying "LOL NO" lol....no.

[Fuddrucka]

They have good defensive Big Men, but not much else.
Stoudemire isnt a great defender and Felton, Kidd, and Melo are pretty much useless on D.

with all due respect the original post said that Stoudemire is a good weakside shot blocker. Felton has always been an above average defender and Melo(as well as J.R.) proved he can play defense under Mike Woodson

[SportsFanatic10]

if they are top 5 then that would be higher then their playoff seed.

[xxplayerxx23]

all year long they got key stops. In the Miami series they didnt. Game 4 was it. But enough with this they cant play defesnse they will be top 10-12