I think the Knicks are a little better than people give them credit for. Melo is a flat out beast. He's every bit the load LeBron is on offense. Amare even though he was a non-factor last night is a straight beast as well. They have solid role players who know their role. They could be as tough as the old LeBron Cavs..
Carmelo has a significantly quicker first step than LeBron. Of course, when LeBron gets a running start, there is very little a team can do to slow him down. But Melo is a much better shooter with a very quick release. I think he is the harder player to guard. LeBron you can turn into a jumpshooter and live with the results.
Also, Amar'e looked explosive in Game 1, we had arguably the best defensive presence in the NBA having a real hard time slowing him down.
On a side note, everyone is saying how bad we looked, but maybe it is just the Knicks have looked good. I fully believe the Knicks would have easily won a game against Miami the way they have played us. LeBron wouldn't do a better job than Pierce and Green did on Melo, especially in Game 1. And Amar'e would have just embarrassed Bosh.
Heck, Miami may have been down 2-0 to NY. I also think they could have taken one in Chicago with their efforts in Games 1 and 2.
Remember this team was really hot coming into the playoffs, winning 7 in a row heading into the playoffs. They even won two of them without Amar'e. They aren't as bad a team as everyone is trying to make them out to be. They are definitely the toughest first-round opponent we have had to face yet. They are more of a second-round opponent in terms of quality.