2014 sports preview: Hope ahead for NYC teams

Fans of the Big Apple's major pro sports teams likely won't miss 2013, especially the latter half of the year.

The Yankees, Mets, Giants and Jets missed the postseason. The Knicks, Nets, Rangers and Islanders all made the playoffs in the spring, but are now in the bottom half of the NBA and NHL Eastern Conference standings.

It's pretty safe to say that 2014 offers a fresh start all around. Here's a look at what each team's fans can be hopeful for, entering the new year.

Giants

Big Blue is two years removed from its last Super Bowl championship and hasn't made the postseason since. But in the NFL, the tide can turn quickly. A higher-than-usual draft slot will come in handy as the Giants restock their aging defense. And hey, maybe Eli Manning's mistake-filled season is a fluke and he'll bounce back with a Pro Bowl-caliber campaign in the fall.

Islanders

One of the NHL's bottom-feeders this season still has a chance at a postseason run, but they'll need to get it together soon. However, it's possible the Isles will be making that run with a new coach. On the bright side, they still have youth on their side. Captain John Tavares isn't going anywhere, except maybe to Brooklyn next season if the team leaves Uniondale a year early.

Jets

Despite missing the playoffs for the third year in a row, the Jets' 2013 should be viewed as a huge step in the right direction. With an erratic rookie quarterback at the helm in Geno Smith, Gang Green beat just about everyone's expectations and was in the postseason hunt into December. With head coach Rex Ryan returning for a sixth season, the Jets have a young core that might be a dark horse pick for the playoffs in 2014.

Knicks

The Atlantic Division -- and really, the entire Eastern Conference -- is such a mess that the Knicks are far from out of the playoff hunt. If they somehow manage to sneak into the playoffs and avoid facing the Pacers or Heat in the first round, they might even reach the conference semifinals. A feat like that could convince Carmelo Anthony to commit to the team long-term.

Mets

Matt Harvey's absence will be a bummer, but the Mets finally went out and spent money to upgrade the team by adding 40-year-old starter Bartolo Colon and outfielders Curtis Granderson and Chris Young into the mix. Will it be enough to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006? That remains to be seen, but fans should enter the season thinking they've got a chance, which hasn't happened in a while.

Nets

Like the Knicks, the Brooklyn boys play in the worst division in the NBA, so there's no ruling out a second consecutive postseason berth -- or even a division title. That task will be tougher with Brook Lopez done for the season, but there's time for coach Jason Kidd to salvage the season and win back the Nets' locker room.

Rangers

The Blueshirts will start the year in the best shape of any New York team; they're right on the edge of the postseason threshold. All they need to do is find consistency -- and goals -- and they'll surely be among the 16 teams competing for Lord Stanley's Cup come spring. One thing they no longer have to worry about is the future of Henrik Lundqvist, who signed a long-term extension at the beginning of the month.

Yankees

An offseason overhaul will put the Bronx Bombers back in a position to compete in 2014, health permitting. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann now sport pinstripes, while Robinson Cano has moved on to the Mariners. The biggest unknown surrounding this team is Alex Rodriguez. There's still no telling whether A-Rod ends up playing third base every day or missing as much as the entire season due to suspension.