New York City has long been known as a major sports city, and its biggest teams can include the Knicks, Nets, and Rangers. With all three squads having passionate fanbases, it is important to evaluate how each team has performed over the past few years and what needs to be done to improve them. In this article, we will take a look at the individual teams, how they have done, and what they need to do to return New York City to its former glory.
In the world of professional sports, the city of New York has long been one of the most successful locations for teams to play in. From classics such as the Yankees and Giants to the current powerhouses like the Mets, Knicks, Nets, and Rangers, New York metropolitan area has had several of its sports teams become household names nationwide. All three franchises have had their successes, but let’s take a look at each of the teams and see how they have been performing over the last few years and what needs to be done in order to reach the pinnacle of success.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks are perhaps the most popular of New York’s pro teams, as they have been around since 1946 and have had some of the most iconic players wear the orange and blue jersey. Most notably, the Knicks have won two NBA championships, in 1970 and 1973, and were the runner-up in 1994. Despite all this, the team has been struggling in recent years, and has not made the playoffs since 2013.
What the Knicks Need to do to Improve
The Knicks have a long road ahead of them if they want to reclaim the glory and success that the franchise has enjoyed in the past. However, it is possible for them to reach their goals and here are a few key points of what the Knicks need to do in order to take the next step:
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Get a star player. The Knicks have been missing a franchise player to drive the team forward and star players can bring in other star players and help make them a force in the league once again.
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Hire the right coach. The Knicks need to hire a coach who is capable of developing players, motivating them, and getting the most out of them. He also needs to have the respect of the players, since they need to trust in him as they go through the process of rebuilding the team.
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Make smart decisions in the draft. The right player can make or break a team, and the Knicks need to identify the right player that can bring the team back to contention.
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Improve the defense. The Knicks need to get back to their defensive roots and build a team that can stick to its defensive responsibilities and shut down opponents regularly.
New York Nets
The New York Nets have been around since 1967 and have had some notable individual performances during its years in the ABA and in the NBA, but the team has not been as successful as one would expect. The Nets last won a championship in 2002, when they were a part of the Eastern Conference Finals, but have failed to make the playoffs for the past four seasons.
What the Nets Need to do to Improve
The Nets need to make some major changes if they want to be successful, and here are some key points of what they need to do in order to take the next step:
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Improve overall team chemistry. The Nets need to improve the chemistry in their roster, as the players need to trust each other and truly believe in the potential of the team if they want to be successful.
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Find a star player. Just like the Knicks, the Nets need to get at least one star player if they want to be competitive in the league.
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Commit to rebuilding through the draft. The Nets have had some bad luck with the draft in recent years, but they need to focus on getting the right players and developing them so they can become a force in the league.
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Upgrade current roster. The Nets need to add a few veterans to the team who can help them compete and provide leadership, as well as use the salary cap space to sign a few reliable starters.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers have been around since 1926, and have been one of the most successful franchises in the NHL, with four Stanley Cup championships. While the team has looked strong at times, they have not made it to the playoffs since the 2014-2015 season and have been rather inconsistent during the regular season.
What the Rangers Need to do to Improve
The Rangers have a few things they need to do if they want to get back to the playoffs, and these are just a few of the main points that need to be addressed:
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Upgrade the team’s defense. The Rangers have been a bit too lax on defense over the past few years, and they need to focus on improving the effectiveness of their defense in order to reach their goals.
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Become more efficient on offense. The Rangers can score goals, but they need to be more effective and efficient, as they are often too reliant on one or two players to do the scoring.
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Get a solid goaltender. A goaltender is often the last line of defense for a team, and the Rangers need one that is reliable and can be there when it matters most.
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Make better use of analytics. The Rangers need to make use of analytics, as they can provide valuable insights on the team and how they can improve.
New York City has long been an amazing sports city and is home to some of the biggest teams in the nation. The Knicks, Nets, and Rangers are all great teams, but all three are in need of major improvements if they want to compete with the best teams in their respective sports. All three teams need to make the right moves and build the right culture in order to achieve greatness in the future, and that begins by taking the steps outlined in this article.