Jamal Crawford shot a dismal 29% from the floor during the preseason, leaving many Knicks fans to question whether he would be the consistent perimeter threat that he was during the 06-07 season. In Friday night's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Crawford led the way for New York with 25 points. Tonight, he again carried the Knicks with a 24 point performance, eliminating all concern of his woeful preseason carrying into the regular season.
Crawford scored 10 of his 24 in the 4th quarter and nailed several circus shots in the lane. He also added 7 assists to his impressive stat-line on the way to aiding NY in beating the T'Wolves 97-93 in the Knicks home opener. It was the Knicks first victory in their home opener since 2001 when they beat the Washington Wizards and then starting SG Michael Jordan. (I'm sorry but that sounds awfully pathetic. The last time the New York Knickerbockers won a home opener was when MJ was still playing- ouch).
I truly believe that the Knicks would be a better team if they allowed Crawford to dominate the perimeter touches rather than Stephon Marbury. Nothing against Marbury, but I think Crawford could put up all-star numbers if he received all-star touches. The man is simply a scorer. He can shoot the rock; he can take it to the rack; he can make you think he's going to drive and then pull up. His greatest quality may be that he's able to adjust his shots in the lane on the fly, which is why he often converts many flashy, jaw-dropping plays. Furthermore, Crawford and center Eddy Curry have consistently displayed a chemistry dating back to their days in Chicago that Marbury and Curry do not share.
As I was saying, this is no knock against Stephon Marbury. Starbury found his scoring touch, as he tacked on 17 points in addition to 7 assists. Marbury seemed to finally back up his statement that he would be looking for his shot more this season. The Randolph/Curry combination was once again effective as they put up 29 points and 17 rebounds combined.
One interesting thing about this game is Isiah's decision to only go 8 deep. The only guys that got off the bench were Nate Robinson, David Lee, and Renaldo Balkman. I guess Isiah is trying to give his horses as many minutes as possible. This trio provided the Knicks with instant energy as usual. Lee had an impressive 14 points and 7 rebounds in just 27 minutes.
While I understand that the Knicks have 2 guys starting in their frontcourt who demand 30+ minutes per game, I really would like to see David Lee get more minutes. While certainly not the best scorer or best pure basketball talent on the Knicks, my assessment is that he does more things well than anyone else on the roster. He provides the intangibles that deserve more than 27 minutes per game. Note to Isiah Thomas: Find a way to get this guy on the court. Good things tend to happen when he's in. Play him more at the 3 if you have to in order to preserve Randolph and Curry's minutes, but you gotta get him in somehow.
Final Thoughts:
While a win in the home opener is certainly encouraging, keep in mind that this is the Minnesota Timberwolves we're talking about. Kevin Garnett and Ricky Davis are gone. Their marquee player is Al Jefferson who is still a little bit raw in the post, and they certainly do not have a consistent perimeter scorer. Tonight was a better defensive effort, but it was against a less capable offense. It was nice to see the balanced scoring again as the Knicks had 6 players and 4 starters in double figures. I'm really liking what I'm seeing from Jamal Crawford. If he continues to get a lot of looks, he will average 20+ points per game- he's too talented not to.
The Knicks next game is Tuesday night at home against Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and the Denver Nuggets. Talk about a litmus test for the Knicks' defense.
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Basketball. Show all posts
Monday, November 5, 2007
Friday, November 2, 2007
We Talkin' About Defense
KNICKS 106- CAVALIERS 110
The New York Knicks season opened with high expectations in Cleveland tonight, but as usual those high expectations came crashing down rather quickly. Sure the Knicks were going into Cleveland to square up against the defending Eastern Conference Champions, but for some reason a win did not seem that unlikely. Only two nights ago LeBron and company suffered a blow out loss to the Dallas Mavericks on their home court. Who is to say that the Cavs of Wednesday night would not carry into Friday against the Knicks? Unfortunately, LeBron actually decided to show up tonight and the Knicks didn’t seem to mind helping the Cavs grab their first win.
The game began optimistically as the Knicks jumped out to a 34-32 lead after the first quarter. Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph were sharing the ball beautifully and for a moment it seemed as if the two could be a deadly combo. Even more impressively, Jamal Crawford was looking on point (unlike his lackluster preseason as he shot 29% from the field) and Nate Robinson provided a spark for the Knicks off the bench with 19 points and 6 bounds. This momentum carried until the end of the 3rd quarter when the Knicks obtained a nice 80-75 lead over the seemingly harmless Cavs. The question was, would another 4th quarter collapse lead the Knicks to a disappointing loss?
Ultimately, I left one major detail luring in my sub-conscious and I refused to admit it: The Knicks were playing terrible defense. From the first quarter, the score was definitely too high, and it was clear that at any moment there could be a slump in the Knicks offense that would lead to a Cleveland surge. Of course, this terrible truth came to life as the Cavs stormed out in the 4th to silence the Knicks hopes. Daniel Gibson led the revitalized Cavs with a demoralizing three straight three-pointers that would mark the end of the game. The frustrating part about Gibson’s 4th quarter havoc is the fact that it seemed more like shooting practice as the Knicks were practically non-existent in the 4th quarter. In addition, Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry both had solid games, but they lost their fire in the last twelve minutes. Randolph especially as he just looked sloppy and lost on the court. To sum it all up, it should be no surprise the Knicks lost tonight because of their complete lack of defense throughout the entire game. Yes, it is true that the score was close until the last quarter, however, when a team does not play consistent defense a collapse at some point is inevitable.
To add insult to injury, the Knicks had one of the worst free throw shooting performances I have seen lately. The only Knick who was able to put it down from the strike was Jamal Crawford, otherwise, the free throw numbers are just painful. As a whole, the team shot 61% from the line going 14/23. Individually, Eddy Curry led the free throw blunder going 0/5. When looking back at the stat sheet, the Knicks should play close attention to the FT numbers because winning games means making free throws.
The last detail that haunted the Knicks tonight was the lack of rebounding during the fourth quarter. During the last four minutes, there were several occasions where the Knicks managed to get a stop only to give up a long rebound. Those kinds of rebounds can be especially frustrating, but when it happens over and over again there is something wrong. As usual, Eddy Curry was lazy when it came to boxing out and he gave up a big rebound that could have given the Knicks a late 4th quarter surge. This could just be a lack of determination to play hard for 48 minutes, but something has to be done about it.
Regardless of the Knicks blunders I have hope for the remainder of the season. I like the starting line-up and the dynamic off the bench can provide a huge boost for the team. I was most impressed with Jamal Crawford (25 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 8/17 FG, 8/8 FT) and he should be the premiere player on this team. Hopefully, Isiah will realize this and give Crawford 38+ minutes per game consistently. Nate was spectacular off the bench and David Lee provided that omnipresent boost that he always does. I was pleased with Curry and Randolph through most of the game, but their final quarter seemed to overshadow their earlier performances.
FINAL WORD
The Knicks need a lot of defense work. It is going to be hard to get a streak of wins going without a defensive presence on the court. I hope I will see a shift on this end of the court as the season progresses, if not, it could be a long season.
HIGHLIGHT PLAYER
JAMAL CRAWFORD: 25 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 8/17 FG, 8/8 FT
The New York Knicks season opened with high expectations in Cleveland tonight, but as usual those high expectations came crashing down rather quickly. Sure the Knicks were going into Cleveland to square up against the defending Eastern Conference Champions, but for some reason a win did not seem that unlikely. Only two nights ago LeBron and company suffered a blow out loss to the Dallas Mavericks on their home court. Who is to say that the Cavs of Wednesday night would not carry into Friday against the Knicks? Unfortunately, LeBron actually decided to show up tonight and the Knicks didn’t seem to mind helping the Cavs grab their first win.
The game began optimistically as the Knicks jumped out to a 34-32 lead after the first quarter. Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph were sharing the ball beautifully and for a moment it seemed as if the two could be a deadly combo. Even more impressively, Jamal Crawford was looking on point (unlike his lackluster preseason as he shot 29% from the field) and Nate Robinson provided a spark for the Knicks off the bench with 19 points and 6 bounds. This momentum carried until the end of the 3rd quarter when the Knicks obtained a nice 80-75 lead over the seemingly harmless Cavs. The question was, would another 4th quarter collapse lead the Knicks to a disappointing loss?
Ultimately, I left one major detail luring in my sub-conscious and I refused to admit it: The Knicks were playing terrible defense. From the first quarter, the score was definitely too high, and it was clear that at any moment there could be a slump in the Knicks offense that would lead to a Cleveland surge. Of course, this terrible truth came to life as the Cavs stormed out in the 4th to silence the Knicks hopes. Daniel Gibson led the revitalized Cavs with a demoralizing three straight three-pointers that would mark the end of the game. The frustrating part about Gibson’s 4th quarter havoc is the fact that it seemed more like shooting practice as the Knicks were practically non-existent in the 4th quarter. In addition, Zach Randolph and Eddy Curry both had solid games, but they lost their fire in the last twelve minutes. Randolph especially as he just looked sloppy and lost on the court. To sum it all up, it should be no surprise the Knicks lost tonight because of their complete lack of defense throughout the entire game. Yes, it is true that the score was close until the last quarter, however, when a team does not play consistent defense a collapse at some point is inevitable.
To add insult to injury, the Knicks had one of the worst free throw shooting performances I have seen lately. The only Knick who was able to put it down from the strike was Jamal Crawford, otherwise, the free throw numbers are just painful. As a whole, the team shot 61% from the line going 14/23. Individually, Eddy Curry led the free throw blunder going 0/5. When looking back at the stat sheet, the Knicks should play close attention to the FT numbers because winning games means making free throws.
The last detail that haunted the Knicks tonight was the lack of rebounding during the fourth quarter. During the last four minutes, there were several occasions where the Knicks managed to get a stop only to give up a long rebound. Those kinds of rebounds can be especially frustrating, but when it happens over and over again there is something wrong. As usual, Eddy Curry was lazy when it came to boxing out and he gave up a big rebound that could have given the Knicks a late 4th quarter surge. This could just be a lack of determination to play hard for 48 minutes, but something has to be done about it.
Regardless of the Knicks blunders I have hope for the remainder of the season. I like the starting line-up and the dynamic off the bench can provide a huge boost for the team. I was most impressed with Jamal Crawford (25 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 8/17 FG, 8/8 FT) and he should be the premiere player on this team. Hopefully, Isiah will realize this and give Crawford 38+ minutes per game consistently. Nate was spectacular off the bench and David Lee provided that omnipresent boost that he always does. I was pleased with Curry and Randolph through most of the game, but their final quarter seemed to overshadow their earlier performances.
FINAL WORD
The Knicks need a lot of defense work. It is going to be hard to get a streak of wins going without a defensive presence on the court. I hope I will see a shift on this end of the court as the season progresses, if not, it could be a long season.
HIGHLIGHT PLAYER
JAMAL CRAWFORD: 25 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, 8/17 FG, 8/8 FT
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Knicks 2007-2008 Season Predictions Part 2
BENCH PLAYERS
SF/PF: #42 David Lee aka D-Lee
Last seasons statistics: 10.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg
Where do I start with David Lee? Lee has proven that he is ESSENTIAL to the success of the team with his hard work ethic. If there is a rebound up for grabs, count on David Lee to get you that ball. I don’t think there is one moment where Lee is on the court and not running. He has often been compared to Dennis Rodman as one of the best rebounders in the game. I’m pretty confident that Isiah realized Lee’s importance to the overall chemistry of the team and his minutes should not suffer with the addition of Randolph. If anything, Lee should be great support for an incredible NBA backcourt. Not to mention, Lee is one of the best defenders on the team and he can make up for some of Curry and Randolph’s defensive flaws. To add to Lee’s credentials, he has been working on that mid range jumper that he somewhat struggled with last year. With his improvement in offense and his rebounding and defensive capabilities, Lee remains one of the best/ most important Knick’s. So don’t be afraid to go and get yourself that David Lee jersey because I know I will purchasing one sometime soon.
PG: #4 Nate Robinson aka Nate the Great
Last seasons statistics: 10.1 ppg, 1.4 apg, 2.4 rpg
Yes he is only 5’8 and he can beat Andre Iguadola in a dunk contest. Forget all the glamour because Nate is all grown up now. With an extremely impressive showing at the Las Vegas summer league, Nate is ready to become an NBA point guard (not an undersized SG like he was his first 2 seasons). Nate proved that he can be that pass first point guard the Knicks need. In addition, he is now able to make smart decisions with ball, not just throwing it away on a careless pass or launching a poor three-pointer. Not only that, but Nate will now make sure he finishes a play before adding glitz. In several preseason games he passed up a ridiculous dunk to finish a play by simply putting in a lay-up to get the two points. I think this is a good sign as Nate moves away from his former role as an entertainer. With his energy and popularity, Nate should have his best season yet…. So get a Nate Robinson jersey while you’re purchasing that David Lee one.
SF: #32 Renaldo Balkman
Last seasons statistics: 4.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg
All questions about Balkman as the Knicks draft choice in 2006 were put to rest quite quickly. I was one of the doubetrs yelling at the TV that night as I looked at Marcus Williams and Rajon Rando’s names still on the board when the Knicks selected Balkman. But you know what, Balkman is what this team needs now. A solid defender with hustle and determination that resembles David Lee, Balkman is great off the bench. In one of his earliest performances last year in a November game against the Bulls (I was at this one), my brother and I watched Balkman almost single handedly lead the Knicks back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. He made big defensive stops and ran the court like an all-star point guard. When given the playing time, I’m certain Balkman can be a major asset to the team. Anybody want a Renaldo Balkman jersey? It might be a wise investment.
F: #21 Wilson Chandler
Last seasons statistics (at DePaul University): 14.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg
The 6’8 forward out of DePaul could be a nice addition to the team. He was quite impressive when I watched him during the Las Vegas Summer League and preseason. The one problem for Chandler is minutes. As for any late first round pick rookie, minutes are often an issue in their first season. Hopefully, Isiah can get him some playing time when it matters. Overall, I like the pick and I think it was the right move. One more thing to remember: Isiah may not make good decisions for the franchise as a whole, but he is great at drafting young prospects. As I’ve learned with Balkman, DON’T DOUBT THE PICKS!
SG/SF: #20 Jared Jeffries
Last seasons statistics: 4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Well, I think it is obvious that Jeffries was a bad acquisition. He is an awful offensive player and his defensive capabilities are not very impressive. He doesn’t add the energy of Lee or Balkman and he only takes away valuable time from these players. I really hope Isiah can swallow his pride and give Balkman and Chandler minutes over Jeffries. Overall, a contract that I wish was wiped off the Knicks salary. O, and I also hate that he has Allan Houston’s old number, for some reason it really pisses me off.
C: #31 Jerome James
Last seasons statistics: 1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg
I sometimes try to forget that James is even on the team, but unfortunately every few games the camera passes by his face on the bench. There is not much to say about Jerome James because he simply does not belong on the Knicks. In addition, he is one of those inflated veteran contracts that Isiah seemed happy to take on. This year he is set to make 5.8 million dollars (next two seasons, 6.2 million and 6.6 million). To make you all understand how awful this is, take a look at the salaries of the young VALUABLE players on the team. (Nate: 1.268, Balkman: 1.234, Chandler: 1.091, and one of the Knicks MOST IMPORTANT AND BIGGEST ASSESTS DAVID LEE: 990,600 dollars. All of these players are making substantially less than the useless Jerome James).
PF: #13 Malik Rose
Last seasons statistics: 3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
I’m not going to say much about Malik because my feelings on him are similar to those of Jerome James. He is slightly better than James, but the the 7.101 million dollars he is set to make next year take away any value he has to this team. I can’t believe he is making that much.
SG: #25 Mardy Collins
Last seasons statistics: 4.5 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.0 rpg
Better than both James and Rose, Collins is set to make only $932,760 next year. I like Collins, he comes from a solid Temple basketball background and he has some knowledge about the game. In the midst of the Knicks injuries woes at the conclusion of last season he stepped up big time. During those games Collins had stellar numbers, resembling those of a starting guard. So it is clear, if he gets minutes, Collins can be quite valuable.
C: #5 Randolph Morris
Last seasons statistics: well, he really didn’t play.
Morris played well in the Las Vegas summer league and he could be a solid backup for Curry. The kind-of-rookie should be getting more playing time this year and I can only hope that he gets all of Jerome James’ minutes.
G: #2 Fred Jones
Last seasons statistics: 4.8 ppg, 2.2 apg
An Isiah Thomas pick from the Indiana days, Fred Jones showed some promise during the preseason. In several games Jones showed that he can actually be of use to the team, not just a name that came with the Zach Randolph deal. I don’t know how it is going to work with minutes for him, but I would be happy if he got some playing time.
CONCLUSION
So what about the team as a whole? How are these 15 guys going to fair in the seemingly harder Atlantic division? Well, when it comes down to it, I really believe the team will have another improved season. In fact, I think the Garden lights will shine into the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The addition of Z-Bo to the frontcourt makes the Knicks a great offensive threat. Also, Isiah has a deep bench that provides a great deal of energy and chemistry to the team. My one concern lies in defense, especially with the starting line. NBA teams are lacking defense right now and those teams that do have a solid defense can go far in this league. Overall, I think the Knicks are going to surprise those NBA analysts who are all buying the Celtics to destroy the Atlantic division. The team has now had time to mesh together and the youth and capability of this team can lead to big things for the upcoming season. I think Curry and Randolph will defy critics who say that they cannot play together, and they will not be another Steph-Francis blunder. Wake up NBA because here come the New York Knickerbockers.
Predicted record: 42-40.
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO!
One more thing to add: Jeff Van Gundy is currently unemployed and making kind of funny commercials on ESPN. I know this is a long shot, but if Isiah really wanted to be a good President he would step aside and let Gundy take over. Gundy would turn this predominantly offensive team into a defensive powerhouse. We all know how Gundy makes defensive teams and that is what the Knicks need. Lets get some “HIRE GUNDY” chants going this season.
Check out the team salary at: http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.htm
SF/PF: #42 David Lee aka D-Lee
Last seasons statistics: 10.7 ppg, 10.4 rpg
Where do I start with David Lee? Lee has proven that he is ESSENTIAL to the success of the team with his hard work ethic. If there is a rebound up for grabs, count on David Lee to get you that ball. I don’t think there is one moment where Lee is on the court and not running. He has often been compared to Dennis Rodman as one of the best rebounders in the game. I’m pretty confident that Isiah realized Lee’s importance to the overall chemistry of the team and his minutes should not suffer with the addition of Randolph. If anything, Lee should be great support for an incredible NBA backcourt. Not to mention, Lee is one of the best defenders on the team and he can make up for some of Curry and Randolph’s defensive flaws. To add to Lee’s credentials, he has been working on that mid range jumper that he somewhat struggled with last year. With his improvement in offense and his rebounding and defensive capabilities, Lee remains one of the best/ most important Knick’s. So don’t be afraid to go and get yourself that David Lee jersey because I know I will purchasing one sometime soon.
PG: #4 Nate Robinson aka Nate the Great
Last seasons statistics: 10.1 ppg, 1.4 apg, 2.4 rpg
Yes he is only 5’8 and he can beat Andre Iguadola in a dunk contest. Forget all the glamour because Nate is all grown up now. With an extremely impressive showing at the Las Vegas summer league, Nate is ready to become an NBA point guard (not an undersized SG like he was his first 2 seasons). Nate proved that he can be that pass first point guard the Knicks need. In addition, he is now able to make smart decisions with ball, not just throwing it away on a careless pass or launching a poor three-pointer. Not only that, but Nate will now make sure he finishes a play before adding glitz. In several preseason games he passed up a ridiculous dunk to finish a play by simply putting in a lay-up to get the two points. I think this is a good sign as Nate moves away from his former role as an entertainer. With his energy and popularity, Nate should have his best season yet…. So get a Nate Robinson jersey while you’re purchasing that David Lee one.
SF: #32 Renaldo Balkman
Last seasons statistics: 4.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg
All questions about Balkman as the Knicks draft choice in 2006 were put to rest quite quickly. I was one of the doubetrs yelling at the TV that night as I looked at Marcus Williams and Rajon Rando’s names still on the board when the Knicks selected Balkman. But you know what, Balkman is what this team needs now. A solid defender with hustle and determination that resembles David Lee, Balkman is great off the bench. In one of his earliest performances last year in a November game against the Bulls (I was at this one), my brother and I watched Balkman almost single handedly lead the Knicks back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter. He made big defensive stops and ran the court like an all-star point guard. When given the playing time, I’m certain Balkman can be a major asset to the team. Anybody want a Renaldo Balkman jersey? It might be a wise investment.
F: #21 Wilson Chandler
Last seasons statistics (at DePaul University): 14.6 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.4 bpg
The 6’8 forward out of DePaul could be a nice addition to the team. He was quite impressive when I watched him during the Las Vegas Summer League and preseason. The one problem for Chandler is minutes. As for any late first round pick rookie, minutes are often an issue in their first season. Hopefully, Isiah can get him some playing time when it matters. Overall, I like the pick and I think it was the right move. One more thing to remember: Isiah may not make good decisions for the franchise as a whole, but he is great at drafting young prospects. As I’ve learned with Balkman, DON’T DOUBT THE PICKS!
SG/SF: #20 Jared Jeffries
Last seasons statistics: 4.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Well, I think it is obvious that Jeffries was a bad acquisition. He is an awful offensive player and his defensive capabilities are not very impressive. He doesn’t add the energy of Lee or Balkman and he only takes away valuable time from these players. I really hope Isiah can swallow his pride and give Balkman and Chandler minutes over Jeffries. Overall, a contract that I wish was wiped off the Knicks salary. O, and I also hate that he has Allan Houston’s old number, for some reason it really pisses me off.
C: #31 Jerome James
Last seasons statistics: 1.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg
I sometimes try to forget that James is even on the team, but unfortunately every few games the camera passes by his face on the bench. There is not much to say about Jerome James because he simply does not belong on the Knicks. In addition, he is one of those inflated veteran contracts that Isiah seemed happy to take on. This year he is set to make 5.8 million dollars (next two seasons, 6.2 million and 6.6 million). To make you all understand how awful this is, take a look at the salaries of the young VALUABLE players on the team. (Nate: 1.268, Balkman: 1.234, Chandler: 1.091, and one of the Knicks MOST IMPORTANT AND BIGGEST ASSESTS DAVID LEE: 990,600 dollars. All of these players are making substantially less than the useless Jerome James).
PF: #13 Malik Rose
Last seasons statistics: 3.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
I’m not going to say much about Malik because my feelings on him are similar to those of Jerome James. He is slightly better than James, but the the 7.101 million dollars he is set to make next year take away any value he has to this team. I can’t believe he is making that much.
SG: #25 Mardy Collins
Last seasons statistics: 4.5 ppg, 1.6 apg, 2.0 rpg
Better than both James and Rose, Collins is set to make only $932,760 next year. I like Collins, he comes from a solid Temple basketball background and he has some knowledge about the game. In the midst of the Knicks injuries woes at the conclusion of last season he stepped up big time. During those games Collins had stellar numbers, resembling those of a starting guard. So it is clear, if he gets minutes, Collins can be quite valuable.
C: #5 Randolph Morris
Last seasons statistics: well, he really didn’t play.
Morris played well in the Las Vegas summer league and he could be a solid backup for Curry. The kind-of-rookie should be getting more playing time this year and I can only hope that he gets all of Jerome James’ minutes.
G: #2 Fred Jones
Last seasons statistics: 4.8 ppg, 2.2 apg
An Isiah Thomas pick from the Indiana days, Fred Jones showed some promise during the preseason. In several games Jones showed that he can actually be of use to the team, not just a name that came with the Zach Randolph deal. I don’t know how it is going to work with minutes for him, but I would be happy if he got some playing time.
CONCLUSION
So what about the team as a whole? How are these 15 guys going to fair in the seemingly harder Atlantic division? Well, when it comes down to it, I really believe the team will have another improved season. In fact, I think the Garden lights will shine into the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The addition of Z-Bo to the frontcourt makes the Knicks a great offensive threat. Also, Isiah has a deep bench that provides a great deal of energy and chemistry to the team. My one concern lies in defense, especially with the starting line. NBA teams are lacking defense right now and those teams that do have a solid defense can go far in this league. Overall, I think the Knicks are going to surprise those NBA analysts who are all buying the Celtics to destroy the Atlantic division. The team has now had time to mesh together and the youth and capability of this team can lead to big things for the upcoming season. I think Curry and Randolph will defy critics who say that they cannot play together, and they will not be another Steph-Francis blunder. Wake up NBA because here come the New York Knickerbockers.
Predicted record: 42-40.
GO NEW YORK GO NEW YORK GO!
One more thing to add: Jeff Van Gundy is currently unemployed and making kind of funny commercials on ESPN. I know this is a long shot, but if Isiah really wanted to be a good President he would step aside and let Gundy take over. Gundy would turn this predominantly offensive team into a defensive powerhouse. We all know how Gundy makes defensive teams and that is what the Knicks need. Lets get some “HIRE GUNDY” chants going this season.
Check out the team salary at: http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/new_york.htm
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Knicks 2007-2008 Season Predictions
It's hard to say when the Knicks began their downward spiral to become one of the worst teams in the east. Some may site the Scott Layden era, others might attribute the failure of the team to the departure of Patrick Ewing. Whatever the case, the Garden no longer seems to be the feared arena of the great Knickerbockers. The last time a playoff series was played on the Garden floor was 2004 and the Knicks were easily embarassed in a 4-0 sweep against the cross-water rival New Jersey Nets. As Isiah Thomas' youthful squad enters the 2007-2008 season, Knicks fans may have something to finally cheer about it. The team is young, energetic, and surprisingly deep. Most importantly, the east is looking especially vulnerable this year and there are going to be several surprise teams that emerge from the ashes; the Knicks could be one of those teams. Last year, the team finished 33-49 (2 games short of my predicition made on 10/11/06), and I think that number could have/should have been higher were it not for an unlikely amount of injuries the team suffered towards the end of the season (Remember: D Lee, Steph, Jamal...) With the addition of Zach Randolph, there should be a clear increase in the number of victories the team records this year. I don't want to sound overly optimistic (as most Knicks fans do during preseason), but I do have more hope than the beginning of last year. The Knicks sill have the highest payroll in the league, and they will probably not make a big splash in the playoffs, but I do believe the Knicks will turn some heads with their new lineup and developed team chemistry. The following is my analysis of the team for the upcoming season:
STARTING LINE-UP
PG: #3 Stephon Marbury aka Starbury
Last seasons statistics: 16.4 ppg, 5.4 apg
Coney Island's own has been greatly scrutinized by the media lately. The day after the Knicks acquistion of Portland's Zach Randolph, Steph was interviewed and displayed less than favorably. His preacher style praise for the Portland forward did not seem to gain favor with those who were already questioning his Jesus revival ways. However, off court issues should not be the focus and despite his questionable behavior, the media and others should be focusing on his on the court attributes. Now, Steph has definitely matured quite a bit. His defense is remarkably better than previous years, he defers to his teammates more, and most importantly, it is now clear that he will adapt his game in anyway for the better of the team. I don't know if the Knicks would be better without Steph and I don't know if things will ever work out with him, but he is the starter now and there is no changing it. The most important thing for Steph to be seen as a success this year is his leadership capability. He is the team veteran and soul of the New York Knicks right now and he needs to be that on court leader. Basically, for this former all-star, it is no longer about the numbers, it's about doing what he can to make this team win.
SG- #11 Jamal Crawford
Last seasons statistics: 17.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.2 rpg
Well, let me start by saying that I'm very VERY happy that Steve Francis is no longer on the team and we don't have to act like he is the starting shooting guard anymore. With that said, I like Jamal Crawford and I think he showed last year that he fits on this team. Jamal has also matured with his shot selection and ball handling abilities. He has become a secondary distributor that is able to drive into the paint and break down a defense. Don't forget, Jamal still has that smooth shot and he is coming off a season which saw some of his best games (In Denver, 3 pointer to win 109-106, check it out on youtube if you don't know it; and his 50+ game against Miami at the Garden). Jamal should fit nicely again as a main piece to the puzzle for the Knicks this season.
SF- #23 Quentin Richardson aka Q-Rich
Last seasons statistics: 13.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg
All I got to say is that it is a very good thing that Q stepped it up last year, otherwise, he could have become a Knicks blunder. After a dismal first season in 2005-2006, Q has possibly found his niche on the team. He is a solid defensive player that is able to guard tough match-ups, such as Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony, and he is a good rebounder at the 3. However, things could get a little tricky with playing time for Q this year. Balkman and D Lee are guys that will be sharing the time with Q this year, and rightfully so. This spot on the team seems to be well filled and possibly the only position with some defensive presence this year. I think Q should be the starter and his defensive prowess should keep him as a primary player.
PF- #50 Zach Randolph aka Z-Bo
Last seasons statistics: 23.6 ppg, 10.10 rpg
I think Spike Lee said it best on draft day after the announcement of the trade for Randolph: "It's a good day in New York." The horror that was Steve Francis gets shipped away (Unfourtunantely Channing Frye had to go to, despite a dissapointing second season), and a 20 10 guy steps up in New York. This almost got Isiah back in the Garden faithful's favor until his sexual harassment scandal. However, there is no doubt Randolph adds something to this team, as to how much we will find out. Randolph is a great low post player that has a sweet jumper from mid range. This addition gives the Knicks one of the most formidable front courts in the East. Randolph and Curry together should be able to frustrate other teams big men and get them in a lot of foul trouble. One worry that is clear is how they will share the ball. When it comes down to it, I really believe that this 4-5 combo can work, and that it will be a threat, not a blunder. Randolph seems willing to defer to Curry and he has made it clear that he wants to win in New York and if that means sharing, sharing he will do. Randolph's numbers will most likely suffer from last year, but that does not mean that this is taking away from his importance and value to the teams success. Another concern is that of defense. Randolph is definitely not known for his defensive capability and it is one of his only flaws. I think this should be more concerning then the offensive end with Curry in the paint. It should be interesting to see how it plays out.
C- #34 Eddy Curry
Last seasons statistics: 19.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Eddy Curry finally had the season that he has been waiting for as he led the team in points per game. In addition, Curry was clearly one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference last year (if not the best, sorry Shaq). This season should be no different. Curry has those quick feet and soft hands for a big guy. He is able to break down the interior defense of opposing teams and make swift moves on the other centers in the NBA. I think this year should be no different for Eddy in terms of capability, although his numbers might also suffer with the presence of Randolph. But again, Curry is greatly lacking in defense. He is not a threat in the middle and teams do not fear him when they drive in the paint. Curry and Randolph working together on D down low could be dismal to watch, but hopefully it won't be as bad as it seems. Also, Curry should take some lessons with D Lee on how to rebound the ball. He is not strong enough when boxing out and he should be getting more bounds as the starting center for the team. I clearly remember a game last year (I think against Detroit) where the Knicks lost due to a tip-in by the opposing team because Curry didn't box out.
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STARTING LINE-UP
PG: #3 Stephon Marbury aka Starbury
Last seasons statistics: 16.4 ppg, 5.4 apg
Coney Island's own has been greatly scrutinized by the media lately. The day after the Knicks acquistion of Portland's Zach Randolph, Steph was interviewed and displayed less than favorably. His preacher style praise for the Portland forward did not seem to gain favor with those who were already questioning his Jesus revival ways. However, off court issues should not be the focus and despite his questionable behavior, the media and others should be focusing on his on the court attributes. Now, Steph has definitely matured quite a bit. His defense is remarkably better than previous years, he defers to his teammates more, and most importantly, it is now clear that he will adapt his game in anyway for the better of the team. I don't know if the Knicks would be better without Steph and I don't know if things will ever work out with him, but he is the starter now and there is no changing it. The most important thing for Steph to be seen as a success this year is his leadership capability. He is the team veteran and soul of the New York Knicks right now and he needs to be that on court leader. Basically, for this former all-star, it is no longer about the numbers, it's about doing what he can to make this team win.
SG- #11 Jamal Crawford
Last seasons statistics: 17.6 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.2 rpg
Well, let me start by saying that I'm very VERY happy that Steve Francis is no longer on the team and we don't have to act like he is the starting shooting guard anymore. With that said, I like Jamal Crawford and I think he showed last year that he fits on this team. Jamal has also matured with his shot selection and ball handling abilities. He has become a secondary distributor that is able to drive into the paint and break down a defense. Don't forget, Jamal still has that smooth shot and he is coming off a season which saw some of his best games (In Denver, 3 pointer to win 109-106, check it out on youtube if you don't know it; and his 50+ game against Miami at the Garden). Jamal should fit nicely again as a main piece to the puzzle for the Knicks this season.
SF- #23 Quentin Richardson aka Q-Rich
Last seasons statistics: 13.0 ppg, 7.2 rpg
All I got to say is that it is a very good thing that Q stepped it up last year, otherwise, he could have become a Knicks blunder. After a dismal first season in 2005-2006, Q has possibly found his niche on the team. He is a solid defensive player that is able to guard tough match-ups, such as Lebron James or Carmelo Anthony, and he is a good rebounder at the 3. However, things could get a little tricky with playing time for Q this year. Balkman and D Lee are guys that will be sharing the time with Q this year, and rightfully so. This spot on the team seems to be well filled and possibly the only position with some defensive presence this year. I think Q should be the starter and his defensive prowess should keep him as a primary player.
PF- #50 Zach Randolph aka Z-Bo
Last seasons statistics: 23.6 ppg, 10.10 rpg
I think Spike Lee said it best on draft day after the announcement of the trade for Randolph: "It's a good day in New York." The horror that was Steve Francis gets shipped away (Unfourtunantely Channing Frye had to go to, despite a dissapointing second season), and a 20 10 guy steps up in New York. This almost got Isiah back in the Garden faithful's favor until his sexual harassment scandal. However, there is no doubt Randolph adds something to this team, as to how much we will find out. Randolph is a great low post player that has a sweet jumper from mid range. This addition gives the Knicks one of the most formidable front courts in the East. Randolph and Curry together should be able to frustrate other teams big men and get them in a lot of foul trouble. One worry that is clear is how they will share the ball. When it comes down to it, I really believe that this 4-5 combo can work, and that it will be a threat, not a blunder. Randolph seems willing to defer to Curry and he has made it clear that he wants to win in New York and if that means sharing, sharing he will do. Randolph's numbers will most likely suffer from last year, but that does not mean that this is taking away from his importance and value to the teams success. Another concern is that of defense. Randolph is definitely not known for his defensive capability and it is one of his only flaws. I think this should be more concerning then the offensive end with Curry in the paint. It should be interesting to see how it plays out.
C- #34 Eddy Curry
Last seasons statistics: 19.5 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Eddy Curry finally had the season that he has been waiting for as he led the team in points per game. In addition, Curry was clearly one of the best centers in the Eastern Conference last year (if not the best, sorry Shaq). This season should be no different. Curry has those quick feet and soft hands for a big guy. He is able to break down the interior defense of opposing teams and make swift moves on the other centers in the NBA. I think this year should be no different for Eddy in terms of capability, although his numbers might also suffer with the presence of Randolph. But again, Curry is greatly lacking in defense. He is not a threat in the middle and teams do not fear him when they drive in the paint. Curry and Randolph working together on D down low could be dismal to watch, but hopefully it won't be as bad as it seems. Also, Curry should take some lessons with D Lee on how to rebound the ball. He is not strong enough when boxing out and he should be getting more bounds as the starting center for the team. I clearly remember a game last year (I think against Detroit) where the Knicks lost due to a tip-in by the opposing team because Curry didn't box out.
MORE TO COME ON BENCH PLAYERS AND CONCLUSION TOMORROW NIGHT
HERE IS A VIDEO TO GET YOU FANS PUMPED
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