Unlike Portland, New York can depend on a go-to-guy, actually, three of them. Allan Houston, Sprewell, and Johnson have all shown themselves to be clutch in the past, and New York can depend on at least one of them being on their game each night. New York also has one advantage the Lakers cannot boast - a real homecourt advantage. While the Staples Center can be one of the quietest arenas in the NBA, Madison Square Garden is THE place to play.
So you can count on it now. Knicks over the Lakers in six to win their first title since the Wills Reed days of the early '70s. I'll just be waiting for May 20 to come around. Why you may ask? It just happens to be the day of the NBA Draft Lottery. Along with free agency, who knows how good my Bulls can be next year. I can just see it now: Elton Brand, Ron Artest, Eddie "Basketball" Jones, Tracy McGrady, Kenyon Martin, and Darius Miles. Well ... one can always hope.