What's the first thing you notice when you see ESPN's Fred Carter on NBA 2Night or SportsCenter? Of course, he points at you. It's his way of saying hello. So we've asked NBA expert Fred to greet us and make some points for ESPN.com each week. Enjoy.

1. Is Don Chaney the best coach to turn around the Knicks?
Chaney is the best man for the job. He was once NBA Coach of the Year in Houston and did an outstanding job there. Unfortunately, the Knicks' talent pool is lacking. That's why the organization has given him another year to hopefully get the team turned around.

Chaney needed an opportunity to put his stamp on the team going through training camp and the rigors of teaching and preparing the team. He has his finger on the pulse of the Knicks and knows what they need. He knows the style of play that should be implemented in New York. Given time, Chaney should be able to do an outstanding job.

2. The Warriors blamed last season on injuries. Now that they're healthy, why can't they win?
I've watched the Warriors all season. They are a team without a philosophy or a resolve. They aren't good offensively or defensively. While they have talented players who can rebound and score, the Warriors lack direction on how to play within a team framework. Each player is trying to identify himself as an NBA player. Like individual contractors, they are trying to justify their existence and make their niche. Meanwhile, the organization is not winning.

For the Warriors to win, they need to be unselfish on both ends of the floor. They are just going through the motions of playing basketball without paying attention to the finer details of the game. Until they can get a coach who can guide them to play a team game, the Warriors are a ship sailing in uncharted waters.

3. Can the Wizards keep a playoff spot warm until Michael Jordan gets back?
I would hope the Wizards can stay in the playoff hunt, biding time until Michael Jordan comes back. The Wizards are playing well, winning two straight. But after Thursday's home game against Detroit, they go on the road for nine of their next 10 games.

Meanwhile, I'm not so sure Jordan will ever get into the same physical condition. So it's going to be difficult for the Wizards when he comes back. They need to somehow hold on, win some games, keep everyone healthy and give Jordan a chance to get back into shape in order to make a good playoff run.

4. How high can Pat Riley's rejuvenated Heat rise in the East race?
It's a strange situation. The Heat at one time were 5-23. Then they started to win ballgames. About two months ago, I made a comment on NBA 2Night, "Keep your eye on the Miami Heat because they just might make a playoff run." And by golly, they are.

The Heat has veteran players who now understand their roles and how to play together. Before, they seemed to be playing for survival, trying to get another contract. Give Riley a lot of credit. He didn't shelve the team. He could have just said, "We'll be a lottery team. I'll rebuild the team and go from there." Instead, he kept the faith in his players, and they kept their faith in him.

Riley would probably say this year has been his biggest coaching challenge. And he may be having more fun coaching this year. The Heat have won four straight and are getting closer and closer. They will play seven of their final 10 games at home. I give the Heat a better chance now of making the playoffs. In fact, Riley and Portland's Maurice Cheeks have become Coach of the Year candidates because their teams have made big turnarounds.

5. Will the Clippers sneak into the West's eighth seed, or is it "wait 'til next year" for them?
I think the Clippers will have to wait until next year. Although they have played well all year long and coach Alvin Gentry has done an outstanding job keeping them in the hunt and getting them to play .500 ball, I don't think they will make the playoffs. They are four games behind Seattle for the eighth spot.

However, being in a playoff race has given Gentry's young team good experience. At the end of the season, Gentry can let them know what they accomplished and what the expectations will be next year. I see them becoming a playoff team next year because some teams are getting older and should fall out of the race.