Sounds optimistic for a team that looks worse on paper than it did last year. I’d take Indy and Brooklyn’s over the Knicks. I think Toronto could surprise as well. Knicks seem like a 42-44 win team, assuming Melo and Chandler stay healthy.

42-44 is possible on the low end, I guess. What I don’t agree with is them being worse on paper than last year. Once Tyson left the game for a blow or foul trouble, they didn’t have any alternative at the 5. With Camby, and to a lesser extent Thomas, they have improved in that area. As far as the point guard position, the biggest effect Lin had was he was able to stabilize that spot for a short period of time. Shumpert struggled, Davis was out, and Douglas was atrocious. The Knicks can score, what they need is a PG to not be atrocious and not have to rely on Melo to bring the ball up the court and initiate the offense so much. They at least have that with Felton and Kidd. Their defense improved last year and is now even better. I watched them play Indy 3 times, beat them back to back on a Friday and Saturday and came within blown a 17 point lead of sweeping them. I watched them play Philly, who are prone to offensive drought. I think people are overrating those 2 teams based on favorable playoff matchups each had as well as injuries their opponents suffered.

Miami, Chicago (even without Rose for half the season) and maybe Boston. The Knicks team I saw the second half of last season are better than the rest of the East and now they’ve improved. Top 4 sounds about right.

Sounds optimistic for a team that looks worse on paper than it did last year. I’d take Indy and Brooklyn’s over the Knicks. I think Toronto could surprise as well. Knicks seem like a 42-44 win team, assuming Melo and Chandler stay healthy.

And Jefferies is gone, too. He was useless on offense, but he was probably the Knicks second best defender.

He was beyond useless on offense. He was an abortion, but they are defintely going to miss his defense and hustle.

Darrell: Where do you think the Knicks finish? Top 4 in the East?

Miami, Chicago (even without Rose for half the season) and maybe Boston. The Knicks team I saw the second half of last season are better than the rest of the East and now they’ve improved. Top 4 sounds about right.

My point was: Knicks finished 5th in defense – They don’t need a deep roster as much as the Nets.

What makes you think defense requires less depth?

And besides that, Fields is a solid defender who’s now gone. Shump is hurt and will probably miss the first 2 months of the season.

Nets bench: Evans, Marshon Brooks, Teletovic, Taylor, Stackhouse

I like Evans for his rebounding. But besides that, are the rest of them any good? My point was: Knicks finished 5th in defense – They don’t need a deep roster as much as the Nets.

Oh yea, before I forget, duck Folan.

The sad part? If the Knicks don’t retain Jeremy Lin, I think the Nets finished ahead of New York in the East.

No

The sad part? If the Knicks don’t retain Jeremy Lin, I think the Nets finished ahead of New York in the East.

The REALLY sad part?

That anyone believes that Jeremy Lin is going to be the difference between the Knicks finishing ahead of the Nets or not.

Lin or not, the Nets will finish ahead of the Knicks.

I’d place a wager on that. Nets have been bottom 5 defensive team since Lopez was drafted. And that roster is too thin to win high scoring games.

I don’t normally make bets, but I’d put money on that one.

My mind is still boggled that the Bulls refuse to make any moves at all. They just sit there.

Why ? If they’re only good (and he is very, very good) player is likely out for the year, why waste the cash now. Wait till next year.

Knicks: Kidd or Felton, Novak, JR Smith, James White, Camby

That guy kicked ass for the Austin Toros during dunk competitions.

WMEs could help with the garbage, no?

Pistons need a garbage man.

No, the Pistons need a superstar or two.

Pistons need a garbage man.

Looks at roster.

Thinks it is mostly garbage.

Wonders why Pistons need ANOTHER garbage man.