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I just read an article on another site asking if the Knicks will make the playoffs this season. Their answer was no. In front of the Knicks were listed the following:
1.Miami
2.Celtics
3.Orlando
4. Atlanta
5. Chicago
6. Milwaukee
7. Charlotte
8. some other team

The writer said the remaining teams were all similar in talent and there was no lock for the Knicks to win. So I got to thinking. There's no way to predict the future, even in a game where the refs win the games for you (wink wink Lakers 58 free throws in game 7)

I'm a Knicks fan so I'm biased. I looked at the main flaws of last seasons team, and compare them with this seasons team.

1. The Knicks had about 20 differant starting lineups last year. I think this year there will be a standard rotation, and the chemistry will be better. When guys know their roles and minutes expected, the chemistry gets better. More wins.

2. There was no defense in Knickland. There was effort, but a lot of guys playing out of position. The 4th quarter of games saw every team the Knicks faced punish them inside, and methodically score in the paint or get fouled as the Knicks jumpshot their way out of the game.
This season however, Stoudamire, Turiaff, Anthony Skinnybones, Wilson Chandler, and Gallo all have shot blocking ability, and the team may be tougher to score on in the paint. Hopefully the addition of more shotblockers will alter enough shots to lower opponents field goal percentages. More wins

3. Ray Felton. Raymond Felton is flat out better than Chris Duhon ever was. He alone is an All Star caliber guy who has been laying low similar to Chauncey Billups before he joined the Pistons. Don't just say he's a guy passing to Stoudamire, he may be better than Stoudamire. Young, Fast, Explosive, Can score, and plays defense. Watch out. Ray Felton = More wins.

4. Gallanari. Last year was his rookie season. I'm gonna say that, because he only played a handfull of games with his broken down back his first year. He's only 21 years old. When a rookie posts 15 points and 6 rebounds his first year, how can you not be excited about his second?

All together, I say the Knicks are over .500 due to some growing pains, but will finish the season much stronger than they start it. While the Celtics will tire, the Hawks will implode, the Magic have peaked, the Knicks will improve gradually. 44-38, and 5th or 6th seed in the East.