New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, Portland Trail Blazers: Who Will Shine in 2009?

The Knicks (8-9) may have been playing basically seven players because of trades, injuries, and the Stephon Marbury situation. 

But with zone defense and the three-point killing instinct of Mike D'Antoni's style, I believe the Knicks would be a surprise team like the Golden State Warriors were a couple of years ago.

Knowing it how easy Mike can make it happen with the Eastern Conference contenders, I rate the Knicks as the most likely to be the surprise team this year.

But if Nate Robinson or Quentin Richardson or Chris Duhon is injured then i think the second surprise team will be the Hawks (10-6), who had a great start. If Mike Bibby andJoe johnson show more aggressiveness, then I think they can perform like they did in last year's playoffs against the Celtics.

The Portland Trail Blazers are not going to be out of the playoffs this year for sure—at least until the second round.  Does that mean they will be in the top eight?  Yes—and it also means Mark Cuban should make some more trades, as Dallas will not make the playoffs this season.

Nate McMillan has brought the team with a different mentality this year.  The Blazers' size and other factors make me feel that they are the third surprise team in the league.

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