By Shawn O'Neal
SportsLine NBA Editor

With less than a month left in the regular season, reality can no longer be ignored by the New York Knicks.

With players like Patrick Ewing, Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston running around, the Knicks were a feasible preseason pick to contend for the first post-Jordan title. Now they've established themselves as a mediocre team that might have to sneak into the playoffs via the No. 8 seed.

The Knicks, of course, were also usually expected to make runs when Jordan was around.

Some things never change.

Jordan's Bulls no longer block the Knicks' road to the Finals, but Jeff Van Gundy's team is no longer the muscle-bound outfit that left bruises as evidence of its toughness. In dealing Charles Oakley to Toronto for Marcus Camby, the Knicks changed the entire complexion of their team.

A Knicks game used to be like a Metallica concert. Now it's more like an evening with Barry Manilow.

They also stand on the cusp of a major rebuilding effort. As good as he's been, Ewing isn't far from calling it a career. Same with Larry Johnson, given his litany of medical problems. Charlie Ward is an adequate point guard, but hardly a guy who will take the Knicks where they want to go. Sprewell is a guy who pays lip service to team play, but will never be at his best unless he's the focal point offensively.

In order for that to happen, the Knicks would have to reinvent themselves. It's a long-term possibility, but nobody in the Eastern Conference fears them right now.

The same can't be said of the Indiana Pacers, who seem to have rediscovered their groove in the Central Division.

After losing four of six, including two straight to Atlanta, the Pacers lead had been whittled down to a half game and some were questioning the team's desire.

Coach Larry Bird was the team's most notable critic, lashing out with a rare halftime verbal barrage during the Pacers' game with the Hornets Friday. He blasted the team's intensity, defensive effort and desire. When they came out of the dressing room, the Pacers erased an eight-point deficit, ended their three-game losing skid and have since built a four-game winning streak and a 2 1/2 game lead in the Central.

That's bad news for the rest of the Eastern Conference.

Sizzlin' ... The Countdown

5. Spurs of the moment

While Houston came down from the high it was on last week, Tim Duncan and San Antonio continue to stalk Utah in the Midwest. Duncan is averaging 21.7 points, 11.7 rebounds and is a worthy MVP candidate -- especially if the Spurs keep rolling. If current trends continue, it could be an interesting stretch run, as the teams meet twice in the last two weeks.

4. That Magic momentum

It may be equal parts Magic boom and Heat bust, but Orlando entered weekend play up three games in the Atlantic and can no longer be dismissed as a fluke product of coach Chuck Daly's scheming. They're a legitimate threat to reach the Finals.

3. Grumpy old men

With guys like Allen Iverson, Grant Hill, Duncan and Kevin Garnett catching the fancy of the new era of NBA fans, some of the old guard tends to get lost in the shuffle. Lest it be forgotten, Karl Malone (23.5 ppg, 9.2 rpg), Ewing (18.1 ppg, 10.3 rpg), Hakeem Olajuwon (18.8, 9.2 rpg) and Charles Barkley (16.6 ppg, 12.7 rpg) are all having big-time seasons.

2. Grumpy young man

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rick Fox aired his disgust at the state of the Lakers after a home loss to Golden State April 3. The Lakers are immature, don't have a hint of focus and are among the worst defensive teams in the league. The problem is, Fox is the only guy to realize it and make any effort to improve the situation. If the rest of the team doesn't get on board, they'll be the most talented team in the league playing golf by the end of the first round of the playoffs.

1. Bird's words

When Larry Legend speaks, the Pacers listen.

Fizzlin' ... The Countdown

5. Cooling up north

As difficult as it is to slam the Toronto Raptors -- nobody wants to run Bambi down on the interstate -- it appears as though they're coming back to Earth. Closing a five-game homestand with a loss to the Celtics will land any team in the outhouse.

4. The least of the West

Seattle and Phoenix are doing everything they can to make the Western Conference playoff race interesting. Heading into weekend play, Sacramento was within three games of Seattle's seventh playoff seed. The Warriors, Mavericks and Nuggets can still harbor postseason hopes thanks to the shoddy play of the Sonics and Suns.

3. Clipped again

The Minnesota Timberwolves should consider themselves lucky that the Los Angeles Clippers won't be making the playoffs. The teams have met twice this year and each time the Clips have come away with comfortable victories. For the mathematically challenged, that means the Timberwolves have provided half of the Clippers wins.

2. Sit down and shut up

After the Trail Blazers' loss to Seattle Thursday night, guards Damon Stoudamire and Isaiah Rider took to bellyaching about their playing time. Stoudamire played 30 minutes and hit three of his 10 shots. Rider played 23 minutes, hit two of 12 shots and continued to call for the ball though nothing he threw up was even close. The Blazers have the best record in the NBA, but that won't last long if Rider and Stoudamire sound off every time there's a bump in the road.

1. Team Twinkie

The Knicks are soft and have no long-term value.