A sharpshooting 3-point specialist, a defensive stopper, a 7-foot starter, a veteran steal artist, a feisty starting forward and a solid backup. It sounds like the elements of a pretty good Knicks playoff team.
In a way, it is. Six former Knicks are still alive in the N.B.A. playoffs, with four teams remaining, and several players have crucial roles.
The Cavaliers are the most fully stocked, with three former Knicks, including J. R. Smith, who on Wednesday poured in 28 points and a team playoff-record eight 3-pointers to lead Cleveland to a 97-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks in their Eastern Conference finals opener.