Teams that may sneak up during NBA Playoffs

The Knicks are struggling now, but look out come playoff time.

"Seeds are so overrated.  It's all about match-ups."  That's what Kansas coach Bill Self said Saturday, as his Jayhawk team fell victim to a cinderella team known as Virginia Commonwelalth.  This season has been one of turmoil and disappointment for Knicks fans, depending on how you look at it.  With Mike D'Antoni's run 'n' gun style offense, New York has scorers, and has had scorers all around the court.  Even before the trade, Felton, Stoudamire, Fields, Turiaf, Chandler, Gallinarri.  Those were just some of the notable scorers for the Knicks.  After the trade, The Knicks are still a very good team, but are they better than they were before it?  Just because Carmelo has arrived, are they ready to take the next step and be a legitimate contender for a world championship?

I am going to say something that is all too unfamiliar to Knick fans.  One more year.  Even thought they most likely are not going to win a championship this year, they still have what it takes to beat maybe every team in the East, with the exception of the Celtics, who quite frankly are more experienced and know how to win more than the Knicks do.  With the way that I predict the rest of the season going, the Knicks will move up into the sixth seed and Miami will drop to the three seed. 

Once again, I am going to reiterate it.  Match ups.  At the point guard position, Chauncey Billups is simply better than any point guard that Miami can bring into the game.  Toney Douglas, while Chalmers and Bibby may be slightly better than him, he can hold his own long enough to get a win.  Also, at the two guard, while Dwayne Wade is light years ahead of Landry Fields, Fields' defense will not allow Wade to score 50 points.  I can guarantee that.  Ahhh, LeBron vs. Melo.  We have been waiting for this all year.  With New York winning this first match up after the trade in Miami, this is sure to be an exciting match up.  With Melo's overall scoring ability, and LeBron's all around dominance, this will be a back and forth match up with a different superstar taking charge each night. 

Amare Stoudamire is better than Chris Bosh, plain and simple.  Sure he plays in a system where they average 106 points per game, but he is still, in my opinion, the overall better player.  While both can step back and hit the 18 foot jumper, Amare is so much more dangerous attacking the rim, and more of a presence on the defensive side of the ball.  Finally, Erick Dampier and Ronny Turiaf.  I think both are defensive players with great shot blocking ability, but Dampier wins this match up.

Overall, even though the Heat have the easiest schedule of the East's top three teams, they will most likely slip down to the third seed, because I do not see Chicago or Boston losing.  This should be an exciting series, but I think we may have an upset on our hands.