If Vogel can figure this out and coax at least an acceptable stretch run from Roy Hibbert, the Pacers, not intimidated even a smidgen by Miami, stand as an intriguing potential challenger.

But not as intriguing as New York. The Knicks can just about match Miami in terms of scoring and, having (mostly) committed to using Carmelo Anthony at power forward, can approach Miami's small-ball units without any awkward matchup issues. The Knicks have kept right on firing 3s, and while their shooting percentage from deep has declined after a red-hot start, it has settled in at a very good number — 38 percent — that more than justifies the chucking.

New York is also scoring like gangbusters when they go big with Amar'e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, and Anthony on the floor together — a 180-degree turn from last season, when New York couldn't function with the Max Contract Brothers playing together. Mike Woodson's creative sets have helped, as has Raymond Felton, but the uptick in scoring is mostly the product of slight but sophisticated improvements among those three stars. Stoudemire is better at hunting cuts to the basket, and Anthony has refined his timing as a passer.

Alas: New York has been playing well-below-average defense after a stingy first dozen games. They're down to 15th in points allowed per possession, and they've been unwatchable defensively when Melo and the always flat-footed, switch-prone Stoudemire play together. The Knicks have allowed more than 109 points per 100 possessions when those two share the court, worse than the league's 30th-ranked defense, and Chandler's presence alongside them hasn't moved the needle at all. Units with Anthony at power forward and no Stoudemire haven't been much better since the start of the season, and for those to work well, Anthony's help defense along the back line has to be in top form.

Can they find that form? If they can, the Knicks are the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference.

I'm hoping whatever Woody was putting in the Kool-Aid to start the season + Shump/Camby/Sheed at 100% helps our D. As for when Melo and STAT are on the floor together..prayer?

Championship and "Felton" just don't seem equate for me.

He has the Pedigree so maybe its time to see it.

Felton would be a great back up on a great team.

There are no great teams, it could be us.

Tune in and find out!

If these two guys are on their game, we will win a championship this season.