Without the unmatchable Jordan the Chicago Bulls are no longer a factor, and the NBA finals - which begin this week - have instead thrown up a surprise.

For the first time, the lowest-rated team in the play-offs, the New York Knicks, have reached the season's showdown.

Instant success: The arrival of Latrell Sprewell sparked New York's rise

They will face the San Antonio Pacers in the best-of-seven series that begins in San Antonio on Wednesday.

The Knicks, who have faced injuries and a major shake-up of their key players this year, overcame two of the toughest teams in the East - the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers.

San Antonio, in contrast have sailed through the playoffs, winning 10 straight games.

Although they were the top-seeded team in the West, many commentators thought the Spurs would miss out on the championship series to either the Utah Jazz or the Los Angelos Lakers.

Knicks defy the odds

The New York Knicks were not supposed to be championship contenders this year.

They were in a rebuilding year, having replaced two of their most popular players, forward Charles Oakley and guard John Starks, with Marcus Camby and Latrell Sprewell.

Late, late show: Allan Houston saw off Miami in the final minute

Neither new player had much success integrating with the team in the regular season, putting the job of coach Jeff Van Gundy on the line.

The Knicks just made the playoffs on the last day of the season.

But it has been a different story in the post-season, as the team have stepped up a to a new level, even as star centre Patrick Ewing was injured.

The explosive Sprewell has provided the offensive spark for the Knicks' fast-break game, and seven-foot forward Marcus Camby has pounded the offensive boards while blocking opponents' shots.

And other Knicks have stepped up too.

Sharp-shooting guard Allan Houston has had a spectacular series, winning the final game against Miami with his last-minute shot, and scoring 32 points in the last game against Indiana - while preventing their superstar, Reggie Miller, from scoring.

Larry Johnson, the Knicks' power forward, has also played a key role, with a game-winning four-point play in Game 3 against Indiana.

His knee injury on Friday could be a fatal blow to the Knicks' championship hopes - although it is still not clear whether he will be able to start on Wednesday.

The smooth Spurs

In contrast to the fireworks in New York, the Spurs have had a quiet playoff.

Their two key players, centre David Robinson and forward Tim Duncan, the "twin towers", have dominated their opponents inside.

Major blow: Larry Johnson's injury could scupper the Knicks' hopes

That has opened the way for their shooting guards, Mario Elie and Steve Kerr, and small forward Sean Elliot to score.

The championship series could turn on defence. The Knicks' reserve center Chris Dudley and forward Marcus Camby face a daunting task in containing the two San Antonio big men.

But the Knicks could have momentum on their side, after two dramatic knife-edge series with tough opponents. The Spurs, who have been resting for two weeks, will find out if they have the drive to win on Wednesday.

The Knicks have been doing extremely well on their opponents' home courts during the playoffs.