Break time is over!
February 19

So the Knicks appeared to be in a pretty good mood when practice ended. Most of them were laughing and joking on the way into the locker room. And some of them were talking about making a playoff run.

It was inevitable.

They are downright pleased to be only 3 1/2 games removed from eighth place in the conference. Of course, everybody realizes the remaining 29 games will only meaningful if the Knicks win five or six more than they lose from here out.

But they still believe.

And here’s a quote that I played back a couple of times from Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, who believes this team is set up for success once it reaches the playoffs.

“I think we have the right kind of makeup for a playoff team,” he said after discussing the shifting roles of NBA big men. “We do have an inside attack, we get to the foul line and we rebound the basketball. And we have guards who are capable of scoring 20-plus points and are good 1-on-1 players when the defense stops your original play. If we get in, I like our chances in terms of the teams we’ll face.”

There were a couple of other notes, as well.

Eddy Curry didn’t go park himself on the beach. He came back to New York after the loss in Golden State, and stopped by the practice facility a couple of times for a workout.

The starting lineup isn’t changing, according to Thomas.

Quentin Richardson came in with the flu, and was promptly turned around.

“He was a little sick,” Thomas said. “No one else wanted to be contaminated, so they sent him home.”

Posted by bobs3304:

I like hearing that about Curry.


A good work ethic is important.

Posted by islesfan:

So not only are they good enough to be a playoff team but they should be considered a dangerous playoff team.

Where do they come up with this BS?

I hate Isiah even more.

Posted by Anji:

It is stupid, but ben gordon is around the limit of starts you can have so I don't he will get it.
And I would vote for Curry as MIP. I hop Lee starts soon..

Posted by nixluva:

Posted by islesfan:

So not only are they good enough to be a playoff team but they should be considered a dangerous playoff team.

Where do they come up with this BS?

I hate Isiah even more.

What's wrong with what he said? It's actually true! We are a team that's made for the playoffs. We have that type of attack. now we don't have a playoff defense, but then very few of the teams in the East do, except for Detroit. We can compete against any of the teams in the East. I can tell you that few teams want to see the Knicks in the playoffs, cuz they know that it's gonna be a FIGHT. The way this team keeps coming back and forcing teams to go the distance. We have a good OT record. All of this despite being a high TO team. It's amazing that we're even in most games the way we turn it over. The thing is that we're so good in other areas that we've been able to offset that weakness a bit. If we can cut down on the TO's in the 2nd half, that would help us a LOT.

Now in terms of the teams ahead of us. One thing that you may not realize is that Orlando, just 4 games ahead of us, has a BRUTAL schedule the rest of the way. Unlike us and many other teams, the hardest part of their schedule is coming up now. After they play us, they go to Detroit the next night and then face Detroit again after a day off. Then they face Houston and Chicago back to back and then go to Denver. 6 games in 9 days against good teams, with 4 road games. Then they start off March with a back to back against SA and Dal. The rest of March is no picknick either. IF we can win tomorrow, I think we can start them on a tailspin that takes them out of playoff contention.

you have have been talking all year about 'this next stretch of gamnes' and we are still farting around in the .400s

Then the Knicks lose or have a 1-3 road trip and we dont hear from you for a couple days.

Playoff team? Please... we cant stop anyone and we dont take care of the ball. Thats not a playoff team

Posted by Andrew:

Posted by crzymdups:

Ginobili started 41 games one year and still won Sixth Man.

Ginobili never won Sixth Man.