How do we stack up against other teams

[DERRENMATTS]

We have a lot of young talent and in time, they could make us the deepest team in the league. But a lot of teams in the east have improved over the summer, and I wonder how we stack up against some of the more improved teams.

Lets compare us to New York

BOS vs. NYN

Raef -- Jerome James

Jefferson -- Eddie Curry

Pierce -- Quentin Richardson

Allen -- Jamaal Crawford

Delonte West -- Stephon Marbury

The starting lineup for New York looks pretty strong. Jerome James and Eddie Curry give their frontcourt a lot of strength and size. They may have the upperhand in the frontcourt. At the wings, we have the upperhand. Q-Rich is no match for Pierce. Tony Allen on Jamaal Crawford gives the Knicks the upperhand (for now), but it doesn't make up for the difference Pierce gives us over Richardson. As far as Delonte on Starbury, I don't think this is even a question. Thumbs up to the Knicks.

BENCH

Ricky -- Penny Hardaway
Perkins -- Channing Frye
Scalabrine -- Malik Rose
Blonut -- ?
Gomes -- David Lee
Reed -- Trevor Ariza
Dickau -- ?
Banks -- Nate Robinson
Orien Greene -- ?
Gerald Green -- ?

We have the upperhand when we start subbing players in. They may have a couple nice players off the bench, such as Nate Robinson and Trevor Ariza, and Malik Rose is a handful. But Ricky, Banks, and Scala should be able to neutralize them. Who are they going to counter Perkins with? Ryan Gomes against David Lee shouldn't be too much of a problem. Channing Frye is a clone of Mark Blount, but at this stage in his career, Frye is not at the same level as Blonut.

As a starting unit, the Knicks have the edge, on paper at least. But as a team, we have more depth and more weapons. In head to head matchups, I think we'll do quite well.

[BCHISTORIAN]

i think jerome james will back up curry and either rose or taylor will start at pf

[Roadrunner]

When I look at the Knick's roster, it actually looks much better than most rosters they have had in recent years. However, I am sure salary cap wise, it looks as worse as ever and is probably even more long-term now. A win vs. the Knicks will be a "guarantee" like last year.

[DERRENMATTS]

Yeah, their roster looks much better than it has in years past. This may be the best roster Isaiah has had under his watch. But the salary must be immense, once again.

If I'm Larry Brown, I'd want both Curry and Jerome James on the floor together. That is a very big frontcourt and it'll probably be an effective one.

[goceltics34]

Man thinking about the opportunity we had last year to get to the ECF still irks me. I feel we could have competed and beaten the heat.

The division will be better. Philly always gives us problems, and when you add larry brown to your organization you automatically add credibility.

I still feel the east wil come down to the pistons, heat and pacers. I like our team, but i dont feel were on par with those 3 just yet, but in time we will be.

[DERRENMATTS]

Not even close. We won't be competing against the Heat, Pacers, or the Pistons. We will be competing against the Wizards and the Bulls for the middle of the playoff order. I think Orlando, New Jersey, and Philly will be vying for the final 2 spots.

Interesting look at how much the Knicks are spending. The league salary cap is at 49.5 million dollars. The Knicks are paying more than double that amount in luxury tax alone!!! And anytime you go over the luxury tax, you are paying a dollar for every dollar you go over. So if they are 50 million over the luxury tax, they have to pay an additional 50 million in taxes. I think their team salary is in the 120 million area, which is already 70 million over the cap. But after they pay taxes, the are going to be near 190 million.

Boy, that Isaiah Thomas really knows how to bring a team to the ground.