The Knicks are done without McDyess.

TOUGH ROLL OF THE McDYESS, NO?
As Antonio McDyess torched preseason opponents, there was a flutter of hope that the Knicks would again be bright lights, big city. But now, with the former Nugget out for the year, a team that already had gaping holes at PG and C is looking at a long, cold -- and dark -- winter. Even if Latrell Sprewell suffers no long-term ill effects from his broken right hand, even if Allan Houston shows up at crunch time, it won't matter. The Knicks have already crapped out.

STARTING FIVE
Two guys who play the same position, and two guys who should be nowhere close to playing starting positions -- not easy, when you spend this much money.

Atlantic Division

1. Nets

2. Magic

3. Celtics

4. Wizards

5. Sixers

6. Heat

7. Knicks

Scouting Report Index

Kurt Thomas, PF: Comes off career year (13.9 ppg/9.1 rpg)
Latrell Sprewell, SF: The more they shop him, the more his value drops
Michael Doleac, C: Problems with minutes? He has all he can handle here
Allan Houston, SG: Can you name 10 better SGs? We can
Charlie Ward, PG: Can you name 28 better PGs? We can

BENCH
Huge payouts to Howard Eisley, Shandon Anderson and Clarence Weatherspoon don't provide much payoff. Once healthy, Frank Williams will get plenty of opportunities.

GLOBAL VIEW
Milos Vujanic (Yugo.), promising PG, has 1 more year in Belgrade.

FREEWHEELIN' WITH WALTON
You need a leader, on and off the court, to thrive in this league.

This article will appear in the November 11 issue of ESPN The Magazine.