No one expected the New York Knicks to be in the playoffs this year, especially after power forward Antonio McDyess went down with yet another knee injury before the season started.  But against the odds the Knicks still are alive with 18 games still remaining but for some reason they are not getting the same recognition as the Wizards, Bucks and Magic.

New York are only four games off the pace from seventh placed Orlando, and while the Knicks do not have a favorable schedule down the closing stretch the Knicks can take satisfaction in knowing that none of the other three teams are in the exact same boat.  The Knicks are scheduled to play 11 of their final 18 on the road with nine of those games against teams currently holding down playoff positions.

Making the playoffs will be a mean feat for the high-priced Knicks, but should they make it they will not be satisfied with just that if you listen to guard Latrell Sprewell.  Sprewell believes that once in his Knicks have a chance to get to the Conference Finals or perhaps even take out the East.

"I don't see a lot of those teams being that much better," Sprewell said. "I look at Boston, teams like that. We can definitely beat them. Any team in the East I feel we can beat."

But one step at a time...

"It's right there in front of us," Sprewell added. "We haven't put together the stretch of games we need. Three games is not a lot, especially with the way they're playing. I think we can get in. It's definitely possible ? 18 games left to make up three."

Knicks coach Don Cheaney believes the Knicks are in a good position, history showing that many teams slip during the latter parts of the season which could give his team a chance.  We saw Milwaukee miss the playoffs last season under these circumstances.

"It just reconfirms, if you stay in there ? and I've seen it many, many times ? that in that final run, teams start slipping," Coach Don Chaney said. "I don't know if it's the pressure or what, but teams start slipping. So what we have to do is stay focused and not allow games like the Memphis game to get away from us.

"Maybe it's foolish dreams, or whatever you want to call it, but I have a lot of faith in these guys. I really do. I think we're capable of doing it."

It is one thing to be reliant on another team's doings, but in order to take advtantage the Knicks need to help themselves by closing out games - something they failed to do earlier in the week against Memphis.

"I think every game we play, we can't look at it as make or break," he said. "We just have to win."