NBA Playoffs 2012: Knicks Are in Bad Shape, but Hey, It Could Be Worse

Their starting point guard has a bad back. The guy he's replacing tore his meniscus months ago.

Their best perimeter defender has an ACL that no longer does what ACLs are supposed to do.

Their starting forward, arguably one of the best in the game, is dealing with a heavy case of absent-mindedness.

But hey, we're not making any excuses.

If not for that glimmer of hope that Jeremy Lin could make a miraculous recovery, the folks of Gotham City would be in much worse shape. This series has gone as poorly as we could've imagined: They have shot with less than 40 percent accuracy; their three-point percentage is 10 points worse. LeBron James has averaged more than 11 free throw attempts per game. There is little to cheer about for Knicks fans.

But c'mon everyone, it's not that bad!

The Knicks were the seven seed this year, and they did it without two of their best players for most of the season. Lin, who many believe to be the real catalyst behind the team's mid-season resurgence, hasn't played since March 24.

Let's also consider the fact that Miami is playing some of the best basketball we've seen from them all season, perhaps ever. The Heat defense has been particularly ferocious, the best in the East since Jordan's Bulls.

The Knicks defense has taken considerable strides under Mike Woodson. The buzzword surrounding his tenure has been "accountability"—well deserved, because it seems his superstars are finally realizing that there are two ends to the court.

They have, under contract for the next several years, the defensive player of the year. Tyson Chandler is set to become their anchor in the middle, a potent combination of defensive athleticism and industrious rebounding.

And most importantly, the phenom that overtook multiple media cycles in multiple media markets is going to return to their starting lineup, a full offseason of practice with his teammates under his belt. For the first time in a decade, the Knicks caught lightning in a bottle with Jeremy Lin. And so long as they are careful, that lightning is here to stay.

And that, Knicks fans, is why there are quite a few things to be pleased about. Whatever result this Sunday's game delivers, we can bask in knowing that there is, as always, next year.