NBA Playoffs 2012: New York Knicks and Toughest Low Seeds in First Round

The NBA postseason can't quite compare to the Stanley Cup playoffs as far as craziness and upsets are concerned, though this year's field isn't exactly devoid of able underdogs.

Sure, you can pretty much count out the Dwight Howard-less Orlando Magic, the fading Philadelphia 76ers and the reborn Utah Jazz.

But don't count out these three teams, each of whom has the talent and/or the know-how to make some noise, despite their suspect seeding.

New York Knicks

The Knicks may have failed to live up to their lofty preseason expectations, but should be something of a dangerous team in the Eastern Conference nonetheless. Carmelo Anthony is playing his best ball since arriving in New York last season, thanks to a smartly expanded role in Mike Woodson's isolation offense.

Amar'e Stoudemire is back (with a new 'do) and Baron Davis is playing the way the Knicks had hoped he would when they first signed him, before Linsanity broke out in full force. Throw in the defensive stylings of Tyson Chandler, Iman Shumpert and Landry Fields with the sharp shooting of JR Smith and Steve Novak off the bench, and the Knicks look like the most talented team in the East from top to bottom.

Of course, that doesn't mean New York is ready to outlast, much less dominate, the Miami Heat, despite a measure of depth that extends far beyond the dreck playing behind LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony.

However, if the Heatles think they're just going to waltz their way to the NBA Finals, they'd better think again, lest they let 'Melo, STAT and the Knicks do the thinking for them.

Dallas Mavericks

The most forgettable NBA champions in recent memory once again look like an afterthought in this year's field. After all, the Mavs let half their title-winning roster walk via free agency and stumbled into the playoff picture as the seventh seed in the Western Conference as a result.

But, last I checked, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Jason Terry and Shawn Marion are still in Dallas, as is Vince Carter. Lamar Odom, on the other hand, isn't, which may be a good thing given his lackluster contributions and the distractions that he dragged along with him.

Another bonus for the Mavs: they'll face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

Tough teams, to be sure, but not of the sort that should scare the Mavs, considering they beat both of 'em last spring on the way to the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Memphis Grizzlies/Los Angeles Clippers

The Grizzlies and the Clippers are currently tied for the fourth seed in the West, with the edge going to L.A. by way of a 2-1 edge in the season series between the two.

That could all change in a heartbeat, though, as L.A. finishes its season against the Knicks on Wednesday before Memphis closes out its campaign by hosting the rudderless Magic.

In either case, the team without home-court advantage would be a legitimate threat to advance. The Clips sport two of the top 15-20 players in the league in MVP dark horse Chris Paul and MVG (Most Valuable Ginger) Blake Griffin, while the Grizz feature an All-Star-caliber frontcourt of Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Rudy Gay along with the experience of nearly sneaking their way into the Western Conference finals last season.

In other words, expect an incredible series between these two up-and-comers.

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