Knicks Look Locked in at the 7th Seed

The New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony have looked sharp of late, playing their best basketball of the lockout shortened season without star forward Amare Stoudemire and starting point guard Jeremy Lin. In fact, the Knicks have won 7 of their last 10 and 15 of 20 since Mike Woodson took over on the sidelines.

Much of the success has to be credited to the coaching change, but even more of the credit should be placed upon the play of Carmelo Anthony. Melo has been fantastic in shouldering the load without Stat and Lin, averaging 32 points, 4 assists and 8 rebounds over his last 5 games including a 35 point, 10 assist, 12 rebound triple-double performance against Boston two nights ago.

With all that being said, the Knicks still sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference at 33-29, three games back of Orlando for the sixth spot with only four games to play. It's going to be a tall task to overcome the Magic for the sixth seed, one that can only be done (in my opinion) if the Knicks win out. Three of New York's last 4 games are away from home as they visit Cleveland, Atlanta and Charlotte while playing host to Lob City in-between. Honestly, the schedule doesn't scare me in the slightest. What does strike a little fear in me however, is the addition of Stat back into the lineup.

As I already stated previously, Melo has been playing the best stretch of basketball since he's been in a Knicks uniform and bringing back another guy who needs the ball (albeit an All-Star) is going to have its effects on team chemistry. Obviously I want Stat back and healthy, but is he going to be able to concede to the fact that Melo is running the show now? Will he be able to check his ego at the door and feed off of Melo instead of having the offense run through him? I'm not too sure on those answers and that's a scary proposition for the Knicks come playoff time.

Speaking of playoffs, as recently stated, the Knicks are locked in at the seventh seed right now with a one game advantage over the eighth seeded, and free-falling, 76ers. Milwaukee sits 2.5 games behind Philly in the ninth spot and haven't been able to capitalize on the skidding Sixers. Knowing this, I'm confident that the Knicks will at the very least go into the playoffs as the seventh seed with a fighters chance at landing the sixth spot.

So, Knicks fans, (wait for it)...WE HAVE TO ROOT FOR THE HEAT!!! I know, I know, it's against everything we believe in and might even be downright blasphemous, but it has to be done. Jeff Van Gundy would pumping his fist and shouting "are you kidding me!" if he ever read this while Tim Hardaway and Alonzo Mourning would basking in all of the Heat glory (the glory that they never experienced as members of the Heat themselves but..., cheap shot I know but it's the Heat damnit!). For obvious reasons (injury concerns, better matchups, etc.), the Knicks would be better suited facing the Bulls than the Heat. So, just for tonight and the rest of the regular season, I need Knicks fans to stop piercing the 500th pin into their LeBron James voodoo doll and silently (very silently) root for the Heat.

By this time next week Knicks fans will know what's in store come playoff time. For now, just sit back and enjoy the beginning of the best part of the NBA season.

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