Howard in New York, teaming with Melo, would be an upgrade, even if the Knicks didn't make any other moves from that point until the end of the season. You have to consider what the hell Howard has done for the team he's playing on right now to truly realize how big of an impact he can be for any defense (or offense, for that matter). Toney Douglas could get torched by Chalmers and Cole, and Melo can't hold LeBron to save his life...but on that end of the floor, the game gets five times easier with Howard in the paint. Still wouldn't give the Knicks a series win, but they wouldn't look like the Wizards, either.