NBA Playoff Predictions 2012: N.Y. Knicks Are Most Dangerous Team in Playoffs

After watching Carmelo Anthony drain a long three-pointer to send the New York Knicks' Sunday NBA matchup with the conference leading Chicago Bulls into overtime, I almost threw up a rainbow. 

After the superstar hit another long-ball to win the game in overtime, I did throw up a rainbow. 

Anthony is finally coming into the role that the Knicks wanted him to be in when they paid $65 million for the former Nugget last year. New York couldn’t be happier. 

The Knicks are currently the seventh seed in the East and will be the most dangerous team in the playoffs. 

Now, before everyone gets their Lin jerseys in a bunch, let me explain. To qualify as a “dangerous” team, the franchise must be ranked lower than a three seed. So, Miami or San Antonio do not fit the bill. 

The Big Apple is playing suffocating defense under interim coach Mike Woodson and is coming together perfectly. They have the momentum—and the talent—to make a deep playoff run. 

Anthony is stepping up as a leader in Madison Square Garden, and their 100-99 overtime comeback win over Derrick Rose and company shows just how dangerous the Knicks can be. 

The six-game losing streak in early March is a thing of the past. The Empire State has gone 11-3 since they snapped those losses. 

They play Chicago twice, Milwaukee, Miami, Boston and the Clippers before the playoffs even start. After those games, we will be able to see just how good Woodson is. 

But for now, his team is on fire. The Knicks are currently fifth in defensive efficiency, trailing just Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston and Miami. 

Anthony and company are responding well after D’Antoni stepped down, and there has been a strong shift in performance. This whole team revolves under No. 7 and he is playing inspired basketball. 

Not only can New York hang with the big boys, but they can beat the playground bullies. 

Even if Manhattan can’t leapfrog Orlando and get suck with the top seeds, they could pull out a victory. 

The Knickerbockers are playing the best basketball of their season and will give Miami and the Big Three a run for their money. Even if they somehow draw Indiana or Boston in the first round of the playoffs, the Knicks will be ready for a deep playoff run. 

A few weeks ago, we were debating if New York would even make the playoffs. Now, we are talking about how far they will go. 

If the bright lights keep shining, how good will this team be? 

With the team confident, the only thing that might trip this club up is a regression to the Knicks of the past. However, this is a totally new franchise that seems to have locked up the demons of D’Antoni and hidden the key. 

If the Knicks can continue putting out amazing performances, the rest of the league should watch out. 

To make matters even more amazing, Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin are both out. The Knicks are playing this well without two of their biggest stars. The world is their court and the sky is their ceiling. 

Tyson Chandler is the anchor of these Knicks and when he and Anthony are on the same page, the resulting book is a classic. 

Buckle up and keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times because these New York Knicks are about to take the NBA on an incredible ride.