(7) New York vs. (2) New Jersey
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CROSSTOWN RIVALS GET TO THE POINT
What a treat for New York-area basketball fans: A Gotham rivalry that features two of the best point guards in the NBA going head to head.
The New York Knicks were maddeningly inconsistent all season but possess plenty of talent and the ability to score. The New Jersey Nets are the two-time defending Eastern Conference champs but had a difficult season and were bothered by injuries.
FORWARDS
There's a lot of talent at this position in this series.
Tim Thomas can either be athletic and high-scoring or nonexistent, depending on which guy shows up. Kurt Thomas is a tough, good defender, and he can knock down the open shot. Richard Jefferson is a multitalented small forward who can score in a number of ways – a future All-Star who took over his team when injuries knocked out Kenyon Martin and Jason Kidd. Martin is among the quickest big men in the league, and he will use that advantage against Thomas.
Advantage: Nets
GUARDS
What a great subplot with Kidd and Stephon Marbury – who were traded for each other just three years ago – doing battle in the playoffs. Without a post presence, everything the Knicks do depends on Marbury's penetration. Shandon Anderson replaces the injured Allan Houston and provides solid play. Kidd is the best point guard in the league (when healthy). He will look to get out in transition and find Kerry Kittles or Jefferson, two lightning-fast wings.
Advantage: Nets
CENTER
Nazr Mohammed is more of a threat to score, while Jason Collins sets a lot of screens and is counted on for rebounding and defense. Neither will determine the outcome of this series.
Even
BENCH
The Knicks' bench consists of a host of aging former All-Stars in Dikembe Mutombo, Anfernee Hardaway and Vin Baker. New Jersey counters with Lucious Harris and Rodney Rogers, who played well late in the season after struggling through most of the year. Aaron Williams also is a consistent contributor. Zoran Planinic has no experience in the playoffs but played very well against New York this season.
Even
COACHING
What a contrast in age and experience. Lenny Wilkens has been coaching forever and maintains a calm demeanor on the bench. Frank looks like a kid and jumps around on the sidelines like the ice cream truck is coming, but don't let the looks fool you. Frank knows what he's doing, and he did an excellent job bringing his team together this season.
Even
OVERALL
Marbury is capable of winning playoff games by himself – the San Antonio Spurs found that out last year. But New York has no offensive post threat and the Knicks don't get to the foul line – two critical components of successful playoff teams.
This is not a great matchup for the Knicks – they've lost 12 of the last 14 games in this rivalry. To beat the Nets you have to get back in transition and make them shoot from the perimeter. The trouble is that the Knicks aren't a good half-court team, and they want to run, too.
They can't run with New Jersey, though, and they don't defend like the Nets either.
Nets win in six games.
