I am not going out on a limb and saying they can compete, or anoint the Knicks as the next hot candidate for NBA champion. They have flaws, lots of them - Coach Antoni is not defensive oriented at all. Neither Melo or Amare is ever great at defense. Unless Baron Davis comes back relatively healthy, there is not sub for Lin, and you can't expect him to play entire 2nd half every single game.
But it's the East. Barring major injuries, I guess Knicks in the playoffs isn't going to surprise lots of people any more. They can make some noice. Although they are not ready to compete, the Garden has been dead after Ewing left. Now there is excitement, and New Yorkers are talking about basketball again. That's what I am happy about.