After a short rant about NASCAR it is time to get down to business. It is now post all-star break basketball which means that the stretch run is upon us. The good news is the Eastern Conference is still disgraceful and many sub .500 teams still have a shot at the playoffs, especially the New York Knicks. They have been playing better as of late, and even though most would dismiss them as a team who does not have their acts together under coach Isiah Thomas, I do not think that is the case. The Knicks have won 4 of 6, and are starting to really play team oriented basketball. With thirty games remaining in their schedule they are only three games out of a playoff spot. Orlando has been playing poor after their good start, and with the Knicks victory over them last night they continue to slide down the standings. Meanwhile the Knicks have been slowly closing the gap between them and the final playoff spot. To make matters even better, the Nets have swirling trade rumors that might send Vince Carter and Jason Kidd to other teams, which would all but eliminate the Nets as potential playoff contenders. The Knicks schedule is also favorable, with seventeen games remaining against teams who are below .500, as well as 13 games against teams not currently in a playoff spot. These are games that the Knicks have to win. If they want to take the next step and show progress this is their chance. They must step up and play consistent basketball and beat the lesser teams, and honestly their is no reason why they shouldn't. Eddie Curry, the emerging franchise player should have his way with all of the Eastern Conference other than maybe Shaq. He showed last night that he could effectively pass out of the double team the entire first half before he took over and scored late in the game, finishing with 20 points. (Just to note, he did this against Dwight Howard, ESPN's "NEXT" cover boy) Jamal Crawford is playing very smart and choosing his shots wisely, as is Stephon Marbury. The turn overs must come down because that will hurt them, but the energy and effort is there. Let us not forget about the man who Tim Duncan said was going to be a special player in the NBA. David Lee (dubbed the Freshmaker) is an all out hustler. He has a nose for the ball, and a tenacious attitude that won't let him be denied. I can not count how many key offensive rebounds he has gotten in situations where the Knicks absolutely needed them. If all of the Knicks call follow his example and works their asses off, they would not have the consistency issues that might keep them from the playoffs. This should be an exciting stretch of basketball, and I feel that the Knicks will not pull a typically effort let down we have become accustom too in the last few years. The Knicks are starting to turn the corner and I think that they will win the games they need to, and maybe steal a few along the way. (Yes I am predicting it, one win over Dallas this year!)
-The Great Jmagulous
