New York Knicks: What Losing Jared Jeffries Would Mean

The New York Knicks will shut down Jared Jeffries for the rest of the regular season in the hope that rest will heal his ailing knee in time for at least some playoff action.

So what does this mean for the Knicks?

Jeffries is a walking intangible who does so many different things that don't show up on the stat sheet.

His defensive presence in the paint has been a huge boost for New York, and Jeffries has certainly had a hand in the Knicks' rise to the top of the NBA in defense.

And there are few better than Jeffries in regard to taking charges as well.

Bill Walker has become a victim of this chain reaction and was waived in order to make room for Dan Gadzuric, who will be Jeffries' replacement for the time being. It was a signing that was sorely needed with the Knicks needing some depth in the size department.

If the Knicks can get Jeffries back for the playoffs, he will greatly enhance the team's interior defense when added with the return of Amar'e Stoudemire. Jeffries is the type of defender that can make a difference against some of the more elite teams in the playoffs.

Jeffries has been a part of some of the worst Knicks' teams in recent memory and has received his fair share of abuse from Knicks fans. But finally he has begun to redeem himself, and Jeffries is earning the respect of the same fans that once booed him.