There's been a lot of propaganda out there trying to dismiss the Nets winning streak and the P.J. Carlesimo Good Times Tour as a function of a weak schedule, the implication being that their rivals Monday afternoon have faced the tougher opponents.

The reverse is true. Here's a look at the strength of schedule last ten days: Brooklyn faced opponents with a winning percentage of .509, New York's? .475. And for the year, notes a league source, the numbers are similar: Brooklyn .502; New York .487. In fact, the Nets are second to the Heat for the toughest schedule after 40 games. With the season half over after the Knicks game, that means, of course, that the Nets schedule will get, on average, easier.

The Nets and Knicks won't play each other again this season but that doesn't mean they'll be watching the standings since for the first time in like forever they're realistic rivals for the Atlantic Division crown, with the Celtics playing mediocre ball, the Sixers never recovered from the loss of Andrew Bynum and the Raptors starting too late.

• Finally! Knicks and Nets battling for the Atlantic - Fred Kerber - New York Post
• No minute waltz for Shumpert - Fred Kerber - New York Post
  
• P.J.: Nets set to bring it vs. Knicks - Brian Lewis - New York Post
• NYC teams won’t play again in regular season - George Willis - New York Post
• Knicks face rejuvenated Nets - Anthony Rieber - Newsday
• P.J. Carlesimo's new chapter: 15 years after Latrell Sprewell choked him - Barbara Barker - Newsday
• Joe Johnson, Nets hoping for some payback vs. Knicks - Rod Boone - Newsday
• Like Woodson with Knicks, Nets winning under new voice Carlesimo - Mitch Lawrence - NY Daily News
  
• MLK day game between Knicks, Nets shaping up to be big for many reasons - Seth Walder - NY Daily News
  
• Carlesimo: Make Melo work for his points - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Stack: Nets fortunate to play on MLK Day - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York
• Iman Shumpert’s Hairstyle Now Turns Heads - Nate Taylor - New York Times