By N.J. Thompson

Don't all rush at once, but you better start making your way in that direction soon. No, they are not going to win the NBA title, but they will be playing come playoff time. And once in the playoffs, who knows? The Knicks have been a dangerous 8th seed before, and have already proven that on any given night, they can compete with New Jersey or Indiana.

Also, don't mistake me for the average Joe looking through Blue-and-Orange glasses, I have a legitimate case. Fact #1: 8 team HAVE TO qualify for the playoffs in the East. No matter how bad those teams are, 8 teams will qualify. As of January 30, the Knicks are the 10th seed, just 3 games out of the 8th playoff spot. Chicago is a game or two behind the Knicks. Lets look at trends and personalities.

Chicago has too many things working against it to make the playoffs. They have an uncertain rotation, players fighting with coaches, and are just generally short on experience. They could be really good a year or two from now, but there are way too many things working against them.

Milwaukee is always an enigma. Last year's end-of-season-collapse was a classic. The team leaders are a couple of guys are generally considered head-cases (I still love Mason and Cassell). More importantly, they depend greatly on jump-shooting to win. It's always tough to win that way. Add in the nagging injuries to Ray Allen and Tim Thomas' slower-than-expected development, and the stretch run may prove to be too much for these guys. George Karl does not exactly have a track record that leads me to believe that he can avoid this disaster.

A lot of fans want to see Washington make the playoffs. They have veterans, they can rebound - not a BAD team. But when you get a chance, look at their schedule. Early February will be interesting, but March will be as brutal of a run as I have ever heard. Their last 15 games start of with a 6 game western road trip, one home game, then another 3 game road trip. The follow that with a single game, and then 2 out of 4 on the road. Tally it up, that is 12 out of 16 on the road. It will truly be Jordan's greatest accomplishment to get these guys into the playoffs.

The Knicks have already beaten Indiana and New Jersey this year, and each game was charged with emotion. I do not expect them to beat either of those clubs in a series, but you never know. Hope is quietly growing in the Garden.


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