Taken from The Post

http://www.nypost.com/sports/knicks/15583.htm

February 13, 2004 -- The Knicks head into the All-Star break with a two-game losing streak but feeling no worse about their recent turnaround. If you told them Dec. 22, when Isiah Thomas was hired as team president, that they'd be comfortably in the Eastern Conference's seven spot, creeping up on Toronto for No. 6, they'd never have believed it.
The goal of the second half is moving up to at least sixth or fifth, thus avoiding a first-round showdown against either the Pacers or Nets.

But after those two, many coaches and executives believe the Knicks are as good as anyone in the East, including Detroit or New Orleans.

When the Knicks resume their schedule Tuesday vs. Detroit, Allan Houston is expected to return from a three-week rehab assignment on his knee and Kurt Thomas will be back from his ejection/suspension for head butting the Mavs' Josh Howard.

Here are five keys to the second half:

1. HOUSTON'S KNEES: Who knows if the three-week rehab stint will make him right. Due to the nature of his arthroscopic right-knee surgery last June - to stimulate bone growth - there are rumblings Houston is at the beginning stages of an arthritic knee condition. "I'm not going to use that term," Houston told The Post earlier this season. Houston is all about rhythm and timing, and if he's still playing hurt and a step slow on defense, Lenny Wilkens must consider either reducing his minutes or making him the sixth man. Wilkens hopes to start Houston against Detroit, despite winning five straight without him. "I assume that, but we'll know when we get there," Wilkens said. "How do you sit 20 points down?" If he's not right, that's how.

2. MARBURY'S LEADERSHIP: As Wilkens said on his first day, "It's Steph's team." Consequently, Wilkens should do the right thing and make him co-captain with Houston. Not only has Marbury handled the pressure/distraction of playing in his hometown, he's thrived on it. Marbury is supercharged - on both ends - every night, so badly wanting to win here. The Knicks must hope his motivation never wears off, because his teammates are following his lead.



3. KEITH'S CONSISTENCY: The best work Keith Van Horn's done as a Knick is rebound and drive hard to the hoop - two things Latrell Sprewell stopped doing the last two seasons. Van Horn's swept the glass at the small-forward position in a way Sprewell, at 6-5, couldn't. However, after his spectacular season opener, Van Horn shot raggedly from the perimeter until mid-December. That's been his nature, a streaky outside shooter. If the Knicks have designs on a long playoff run, he has to make that open bomb and commit fewer turnovers.

4. ISIAH FACTOR: The players are afraid Thomas may make a trade by Thursday's deadline. The Knick prez continues to minimize the team's talent level, believing the club is playing over its head. Thomas shouldn't make any lateral moves right now. Unless it's a distinct upgrade, what's the point? Let this group jell under Wilkens. There's been enough transition already.

5. BACKUP POINT GUARD: It's no small issue. When Marbury is out for 8-10 minutes, the Knicks can't afford to fold. Wilkens has to stop waffling and choose between Frank Williams or Moochie Norris.

good article