Kobe... You're not tough stop sizing people up
Chris Childs is the man!!! Lol
Party Like It’s 1999????
I was only able to watch the last six minutes of the fourth quarter but it was enough to come to the conclusion that this team is not ready to contend for anything yet. This was another winnable game. Danny Granger (who I think its supremely overrated) returned to the lineup and played well, nailing the go-ahead jumper with 0.3 to play. A good defensive team would have denied the ball and forced one of the lesser Pacer players to beat them. Credit Granger for hitting a tough shot but I felt the Knicks could have defended the possession a lot better.
For the first time I’m starting to have my doubts about Mike D’Antoni leading this team to a championship in the near future. At some point he has to instill a defensive mindset into his gameplan. Jared Jeffries was brought in to add some defensive energy but all he seems to do is foul, and he’s absolutely putrid on the offensive end.
Although these recent losses to the Pacers have been frustrating I don’t think it’s time to panic just yet. Knicks fans have a propensity for blowing everything out of proportion. This team has obvious issues on the defensive end that need to be resolved sooner rather than later, but I still believe they will get it together by the time the playoffs begin.
Remember… In 1999 the team struggled mightily, barely squeaking into the playoffs. The talent was there but they needed time to gel. We all can remember what it was like to witness that magical run to the NBA finals, and although I don’t expect anything close to the sort I still think this team will be a serious threat in the Eastern conference come playoff time.
Knicks seek to avenge loss to Pacers
This is a must-win. Knicks can’t afford to lose to a mediocre team that will most likely be without its leading scorer. I expect a big game from Chauncey Billups who looked a bit rusty in Sundays loss. It all starts with Stat and Melo who have to set an unselfish tone early with ball movement. The team has to give a supreme effort on the defensive end, if the shots aren’t falling getting timely stops will keep you in the game. Let’s go Knicks…
NBA enters a new era..
This is an insightful view on how the rule changes that took place in 2001 have freed up the flow of the game in favor of the offense. Sorry folks, the days of the Knicks and Heat trading blows while scoring 70 points per game are over. Today’s championship contenders are adept on both ends of the floor, much like the showtime Lakers and Celtics of the 80’s. Yes, defense still wins championships but offensive futility won’t get you far in todays NBA, just ask the Bucks (56 points!!!) Maybe Mike D’Antoni will be viewed as a revolutionary mind in years to come??? Let’s wait and see….
Felton claims Nuggets better than Knicks...
As of right now… I’d have to agree with him. Nuggets are a really deep team, although they have no true star. Knicks need talent to flesh out the roster but they’re on the right path…
Williams likes Nets playoff chances
Sorry Deron. Not happening. This team just isn’t talented enough although I love the combo of Williams and center Brook Lopez. Honestly, the future looks bright in Jersey/Brooklyn but not just yet…
Bucks score 56 in Loss to Celtics... 56!!!
I know the Celtics play championship level defense but… 56 points? That’s a WNBA score. Smh. Milwaukee has one of the worst offenses in the league. Scott Skiles get ready to pack your bags lol.
Love's Double-Double streak ends...
I wish Amare would play with this much energy on the glass. For a guy with very little athleticism Love really knows how to go hard at the boards. He’s fundamentally sound at boxing out and predicting the trajectory of each miss, leading to a lot of Offensive boards for his team. Sadly, he needs to get out of Minnesota ASAP. He’ll never earn his rightful place amongst the leagues best on a 15 win team.
Regular Season outlook….
With 17 games to go here’s my thoughts on how the rest of the season will play out for the Knicks as they look to capture their first playoff birth since 2004.
Of their 17 remaining games only 7 are against teams above .500. If the Knicks can manage to protect their home court and take care of the lesser opponents I don’t see why they can’t capture a playoff birth.
Here are some of the key matchups to look for:
March 21 - vs Celtics
- Their last showdown at MSG contained all the elements of a major Broadway production. Although the cast of characters will be different, this will surely be must-see TV once again. In their Dec 15 matchup at MSG Amare Stoudemire made a strong case for MVP in route to his 39pt 10reb 3blk performance. Despite his efforts the Knicks fell short after Paul Pierce buried a tie-breaking 18 footer with 0.4 second left. Look for the same type of playoff intensity as the Knicks attempt to earn the respect of one of the East’s elite.
Mar 23 & 28 - vs Magic
- The Knicks looked like the superior team for three quarters during their last meeting in Orlando. They were able to withstand a monster first half from Dwight Howard who finished with 30pts 16reb and 5blk. The Knicks had a commanding lead entering the fourth quarter but couldn’t withstand the Magic’s run, losing the game 116-110 If the Knicks are going to upset a first round opponent they need to make a statement against a superior Magic team.
Apr 6 - Apr 10 @ Sixers @ Nets @ Pacers
- Stat and Melo travel south on I-95 for a date with a Sixer team looking to leapfrog them in the standings. This game will surely have major implications on the Eastern conference playoff picture. The Knicks need to overcome the Sixers superior athleticism and efficiency in creating fastbreaks with their defense.
- Deron Williams and the Nets will surely look to play the role of spoiler as the Knicks travel across the Hudson to face their cross-town rivals. This has all the makings of a major letdown game. The Knicks cannot afford to lose a game against inferior opponents such as the Nets.
- The Knicks make their way to Conseco Fieldhouse for a matchup with a Pacer team that will also be looking to solidify their own playoff positioning. This is a team that has given the Knicks trouble all season due to their tremendous size upfront. As he displayed Sunday night, Roy Hibbert gives the Knicks all type of matchup problems. The 7 footer will surely make it difficult for Amare to score on the inside. Another must-win for the Knicks.
After all is said and done I predict the Knicks to finish out the regular season at 10-7 which will give them a record of 44-38 for the season. This should be enough to capture the sixth seed in the East, earning them a daunting first round matchup with the likes of the Bulls or Heat.
