Let’s get things straight ‘ the New York Knicks are not the team they were in the ’90s. They are no longer the hometown underdog heroes. It goes without saying that New York as a city has and will let them know that they haven’t been playing with the same intensity, heart and passion. The league has also seemingly come down on New York pretty hard. They have consistently played at least two games more than most other teams in the league at any given date of this season ‘ at times playing as many as five more games than other teams.

Need more proof that nobody is rooting for New York these days? Eddy Curry has put his game into overdrive this season, averaging almost 20 points per game and at one point having over 10 20-point games in a row. This man has taken the ‘down and out’ Knicks team on his back and carried it up about 10 slots on the NBA power rankings this season. If any big man deserves to play in the all-star game, it’s him. Of course, he was not selected.

Let’s not get it confused ‘ this game isn’t just about stats. Miami Heat big man Shaquille O’Neal waltzed onto the Eastern Conference All Star starting lineup this year, despite being sidelined with injuries for a majority of this season. But the Knicks have grudged on, as they have for more than five heart-wrenching seasons now.

Taking all of this in, let’s look at the new boys in town. Could this new group be the answer? These are the guys who will dive on the floor for a loose ball every time. These are the Charles Oakleys and the John Starkses that bring things together. Channing Frye, David Lee, Curry, Stephon Marbury, the silent leader and the newest member of the Knicks’ 50-point club, Jamal Crawford. These guys could be the saviors of the Knicks. Swingman Quentin Richardson, rookie role player Renaldo Balkman and defensive specialist Jared Jeffries have all propelled the Knicks as well.

Looking for heart? How about this: Eddy Curry said in a recent interview that if Isiah Thomas is fired next season, he too will leave. Sure, the big fella has to do a little more damage on the court to be able to demand a trade, but this scenario of coach loyalty should sound familiar to any Knicks fan. Patrick Ewing did the same for Jeff Van Gundy in the ’90s. With the Nets slumping and the Raptors remaining mediocre, if the Knicks keep battling each game out, they have a good chance at not only winning the Atlantic Division, but making a little playoff rumble.