Just two years ago, the Knicks' starting lineup included Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson and featured a bench of Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas and Chris Dudley.

Their front line had quality and depth. The same cannot be said of the team the Knicks are expected to field against Michael Jordan and the Wizards in 15 days.

Ewing and Dudley have long since been traded. Johnson retired last week and Camby is currently nursing a foot injury that will sideline him for the season opener.