NBA Insider with Ken Berger

Washington – Just stopped by Antawn Jamison’s locker to get his take on what the Knicks did to the Wizards tonight, a 90-89 victory on Steve Francis’ buzzer-beating three-pointer.

Despite all the flaws that are magnified to those of us who watch them play every night, Jamison, for one, thinks the Knicks are a lock to make the playoffs and will be a tough out once they get there.

“They’ve got guard play, they’ve got guys that come off the bench and hustle, they’ve got guys who can knock jumpers down when Quentin [Richardson] is healthy, and they’ve got a big man in the post who can control the paint,” Jamison said. “So this team, I feel, definitely is going to make the playoffs, and once they make it, it’s going to be a difficult team to play.”

There was no Gilbert Arenas in the Wizards’ locker room after the game, making a trip to D.C. quite a bit less satisfying for yours truly and others like me with digital tape recorders and an appreciation for all things Gilbert.

But Antonio Daniels, who was dusted by Francis’ behind-the-back dribble that set up the game-winning three-pointer, was at his locker – to his credit. If he’d been wearing a hat, he would’ve taken it off to Francis.

“Hell, the guy hit a 30 footer going full speed,” Daniels said. “What can you do about that? Sometimes, there’s just things that you have to live with. And we have to live with the fact that he hit a 30 footer to win it.
“I was right there,” Daniels said. “I had my hand up, right in his face. If you hit it, more power to you. But the chances of that shot going in, out of 10? Maybe one, maybe two out of 10.”

If the season ended today, the Knicks would be in the playoffs. At 29-34, they’re tied with Orlando and would get in based on holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. Help continues to come pouring in, with the Nets and Indiana both losing tonight.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier, with two games each against Atlantic-leading Toronto, two against Dallas (which has the best record in the league), two against Cleveland (ever heard of LeBron James?) by the end of the month.

As difficult as it has been for the Knicks to get into a playoff position, it will be even more difficult to stay there.

If they do, this game will go down as the turning point. But the way this season has gone, I suspect the real turning point hasn’t happened yet.