New York Knicks:

Trevor Ariza

Isiah Thomas pulled off the steal of the second round this year when he plucked Trevor Ariza out of the pool. Ariza has shown enough potential that the team is confident he could be their starting small forward when Tim Thomas comes off the books after next season or gets traded. Ariza was one of those players who just slipped through the cracks of the draft. He declared too early after a so-so freshman season at UCLA. Teams focused so much on his flaws that they failed to see the potential in the 19-year-old. Had he stayed another year at UCLA, he would've been a likely lottery pick.

Michael Sweetney

The Knicks' 2003 lottery pick, Michael Sweetney, looked great in the summer league, and Thomas appears to be high on him. But the Knicks are so deep, it has been tough for him to crack the lineup. If he ever gets the chance, Sweetney could be very solid. He's an excellent rebounder, has a nose for the ball and can score in the low post. The comparisons to a poor man's Zach Randolph seem dead on. He'll find a place in the league if he ever gets a shot.

chad ford praising the knicks? this is impossible! where'd you see this

Never thought I'd see the day when Ford says anything positive about NY.

As accurate an analysis as I have ever seen from Ford.