On Monday morning, Jan. 5, the playoff equation changed for the Knicks. That's when the news began to leak out that Isiah Thomas had completed a trade with Phoenix for All-Star point guard Stephon Marbury and that faded former All-Star Penny Hardaway was part of the deal.

That's when it became obvious Thomas was serious about turning the franchise around, but there was barely more than half a season left to chart a course for the playoffs.

"We felt a lot of pressure, but it was pressure that we wanted," Hardaway recalled Wednesday night after the Knicks clinched a playoff spot. "You know, you play in this market, and you're demanded to play well every night. That keeps you on your toes. We accepted that, and we're very happy to come here and just be a part of it."

A history of injuries had caused Hardaway to decline from the lofty status he once enjoyed as one of the NBA's top five players to that of role player, but no one anticipated how valuable he would be. In 41 games, he's averaged 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds off the bench, and more importantly, he has played with an intelligence and poise in clutch situations that makes the Knicks better, as his 21-point, seven-rebound effort in the clincher over the Bulls showed.

"It's a great feeling to know that you're in the playoffs," Hardaway said. "This is one piece of the puzzle. We're in, and we're very happy with that after all we've gone through. But now we want to make some noise."