Knicks Bounce Back with Pre-Season Victory Over the Celtics
Early Atlantic Division Parity
Why couldn’t I have bought tickets to tonight’s Knicks-Celtics game instead of last week’s? Well, at least I got to see Allan Houston play in a Knick uni for the first time in two or three years. That’s something.
I’m not going to over-analyze what I saw tonight because most of you defenders were right there with me holding down this spot with the play-by-play.
Great stuff tonight from Nate, Zbo, D Lee, Stephon, and I liked Q’s defense tonight as well. These two teams played like they’re going to be fierce competition in the Eastern Conference this year. Jersey-pulling, smack-talking, face-grabbing, it could have been a WWE match out there except there was some fine basketball being played at times. I didn’t know Nate could thread the needle on some of those consecutive passes he made, I hope that continues.
No minutes tonight for Mardy Collins, Randolph Morris and barely any for Jared Jordan(10 seconds is generous, more like 8 seconds). Maybe next time they can show their skills with some minutes.
KG, well, he looks like a beast out there, as does Paul Pierce. Ray Allen was off tonight, but then again, Jamal couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn tonight, he still found ways to contribute.
Though 16 is an improvement from the last game (20+), I’d like to see the Knicks continue to work on reducing their turnovers, their regular season goal should be about 12, ideally.
Yes, JohnQ, the Knick perimeter defense is still porous, but you have to like their effort, and the confidence the knicks showed tonight in facing the team that beat them by 40 last week and finding a way to win this time around.
You can’t read too much into the pre-season games, but for those that saw this game, it was less of a pre-season game and more of an intense playoff-like game.
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If you check the last blog entry, there is a link to a new Alan Hahn article that reports that Demetris Nichols has requested to be cut if he is not going to make the final roster. The kid has balls, what can I say? I guess he does not know the story of Trevor Ariza, and he’s going to find it out the hard way. Isiah has not cut him yet, nor has he cut Walker Russell, Isiah might not make another cut until after the pre-season games are over on Friday. Maybe we’ll do another poll soon. 10 out of the 50 that voted last time got it right when they picked Allan Houston to be next off the island. I was not in that bright 10 who chose correctly, maybe you were. They say the AH7 comeback could have been a publicity stunt to distract the fans from the ABS trial because it did not make any sense to come back to this particular over-loaded roster. Who knows? Winning is the best distraction for this team, for any team.
Last week the Knicks lost to Boston by 40pts and scared us Defenders. Admit it guys!
But the Knicks we all know, cannot and would not have that type of performance a 2nd time.
So pre-season REVENGE SOUP was served— Thanks to the heroics of Z-BO and N8; and Davic Lee telling us to forget all about some guy named, Ron Artest.
I agree with Peaceman, Stern should do something about that neck grip Pierce committed on Crawford. What’s up with that? And do think, if a Knick player would respond in kind, like with a swift uppercut to Pierce’s jelly bean shaped head, then Isiah and his team are a bunch of thugs right? But who starts these altercations?
I’m not even going to mention that punch in a face some Boston clown gave N8.
Anti Out.
Lives,
Shout-out to ya for mentioning over the Summer, sometime ago, that N8 would be much improved, considering a magazine article
featuring N8.
Music to out ears hearing how N8 was studying the tapes from the likes of Nash,Billups,and Baron Davis.
Any other Defender besides me, believes that this Knicks team can win the Atlantic if they all for the most part, remain healthy.
“the knicks display energy and grit”
howard beck
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/23/sports/basketball/23knicks.html?ref=sports
Anti,
No harm done, our boys took the shoving and grabbing Celtics and kept them at bay, I even saw a punch from one of the Boston players. It was a hard fought game for both teams, Boston had to play catch-up last night and put in the extra effort to avoid being embarrassed, after all, they had beaten this very same team by 40 points in a game before, yet, all of a sudden they are down by 15 points; They see now the New York Knicks ain’t no push over, can also beat them any given night, and won’t melt away or be intimidated by their physical play. It was a fun game to watch.
Yeah Starburyfan,
Dnice has balls! And a stroke too, something Ariza lacks! Dnice is a keeper or
part of a west coast trade package. Zeke takes pride in his late round draft selections
and after a NO to him being asked to be cut, that says it all! I know that Chandler got only 3 minutes of
burn, but Pierce abused him and his offense wasn’t stellar! I think he will bring a lot to this team, just haven’t seen it yet!
@ MODI
That was Davonn, not Cooley that you included with the bridge jumping @ me!
Cooley was cooler than a Fan, while Davonn and I were calling out the Knicks not
bring effort the First Celtic game! Our defense at the three is still our weak link in the chain!
Lets see what Balkman does about that!
@ St George
If you thought I was harsh I apoligize! Last year was the time for praising potenial, as we did with all those losses.
This year potenial is not enough, we have to win! No grey area! Its win or Zeke will be gone, along with the core
of this team, which I don’t want to see happen!
gr8 game
CHECK THIS OUT
Click Here Defenders
Nothing like a Knicks win to make thing right.
@Peaceman: It’s all good we just be bloggin. Knicks love baby (no homo) That’s all its about.
@ Starburyfantastic: What more can I say. BIG UP
audi
There is a clown posting under the moniker N8 the Gr8.
Hey Sucka better take off your sheet before you come in here. Now get outa here
Wish D-Nick would just go with the program and develop his skills more in Europe. I don’t think he is ready for the big boys now.
DLT
Dnice is being advised by his new Agent! I’m sure that his agent has him set to join MANY other
teams upon being released, which ain’t gonna happen! Maybe this is Zeke not showing his full hand yet?
But from what I saw of Dnice @ CUSE and the Summer league, this guy belongs in the NBA!
Lets put this in proper perspective, what do you think would be the outcome if Jordan made the same request
to ZEKE? It would be CYa! I wonder if anybody would dissagree with that senario? Either way at this time next week
we will all know the truth!
Cutting Allan Houston is a good move. By the way Jerome James and Jared Jeff are still on the team, so Thomas has his Shannon Anderson, and Howard Eisley. I thought Brown’s Knicks could have won 40 if Brown actually wanted to win and didn’t lose to get Thomas fired.
Jerome James and Jared Jeff are no better then Shannon Anderson, and Howard Eisley.
I feel my team has been capable of being an 8th seed and I’m disapointed when they don’t live up to that. If I’m not critical when the Knicks don’t win 40 games or more then I wouldn’t be that much of a fan.
I’m critical when the don’t reach my goal because I’m a fan of them.
I don’t want to see the Knicks win 35 games this year. With the Knicks’ payroll and talent on the team they must make the playoffs especially since Thomas has been given chance after chance. He hired coach after bad coach and made himself coach because he thought he could do better. If Thomas can do better then Lenny, Brown then that is great, but if the Knicks aren’t in the playoffs, Thomas must be fired. win 40 thomas should be given his walking papers
if you don’t win 40 thomas should be given his walking papers
If Thomas fired Wilkens and Brown because they failed to make the playoffs then he needs to lead the Knicks to the playoffs himself, otherwise he’s no better then Wilkens and Brown WHZO HE HIRED AND FIRED.
I hear folks still yapping about the lack of Knicks ‘D’. but bear in mind this team without Taz held the Celtics with the big 3 to 84 points. Scores like that reminds me of the Riley/vanGundy defensive minded era Knicks.
Holla back
Starbury:
You need to wash the dishes before going to bed!
It attracts roaches!
Please don’t respond to roaches, they would just multiply!
What a great game. Still fresh in my mind.
I woke up this morning proud to be a Knick fan and had to wear my warm up jersey to work just to show it. I can’t remember the last preseason game that was played that hard. I really hope that the influx of players to the east sparks some fierce rivalries. I already hate Boston and NJ. I want to see them beat Joiseys ass on friday but I don’t think alot of players will get major minutes. He’ll probably rest Steph at least.
Anyway, congrats Knick fans. The team just needs to give that effort for 82 games. I’m thinking playoffs. Nothing else should be accepted.
GO NY GO.
Starburyfan, I gotta disagree man. The GOAL is 0 turnovers, but 12 is acceptable. Oh and I loved their effort. I just think that the perimeter D should be the focus for the rest of preseason. I see a marked improvement in every other area (free throws, TO’s, etc.) that dogged us last season.
Last night was a blowout.
Starbury – 366
Alan Cohn – 32
Assisted with 5 posts from Starbury.
Starbury:
Question…..Do you ever think Macy’s would go shop at Sak’s if they’re low on inventory?
Think about it.
This from the Newsday article Starburyfan pointed to:
Is that true? I still can’t help but feel DNice would be snapped up by one of the other 29 teams who had scouts with eyes at summer league. But let’s say temporary insanity rules for a few minutes and nobody picks him up after Oct. 31 … does he flounder in D-League for a while? Is this a play by Zeke to force him into Europe? Is this to keep DNice in play while trade offers firm up as the deadline approaches (can’t he even get a 2008 second-round pick for Dnice??)?
Also check out question#9 from the Burnside Writers Collective:
click to read the response
More crazy talk: what about Crawford as starting point?! Seems he at least knows how to feed the big fellas. Marbury at starting 2 or bench (sixth man) PG with N8 @ SG? …I know, crazy… but still…?
p.s. African, I keep tryina tells you, it’s not about the comments (and, really, 32 isn’t bad at all, it’s enough to show decent actvity), it’s about the page views. By going over there to lurk, you’re not really hurting him any — you’re giving him hits/page views without any of the grief. Just sayin.
JohnQ,
Re: Starburyfan, I gotta disagree man. The GOAL is 0 turnovers, but 12 is acceptable.
Now that’s what I’m talking B.A.R.F–on that comment, your cup runneth over.
Blogzilla,
Way to step up! Now tell me where on God’s green Earth did another blog generate 366 hits last night? For any team or topic–maybe global warming? The Darfur crisis? Human trafficking ans commercial sex workers? The sugar cane cutters and bateys in the DR? I believe the answer is: KNICKDEFENDERS.COM and that is because we are a community. I would imagine that you meant it when you said all fans are welcomed here until they start spewing direspectful bunk or venemous hyperboles.
Folks:
Don’ get mad if we don’t engage you though 
leaving you on the scrub heap that you’ve been on all your life.
Like I said, if a poster wants to criticize, first start by saying: “As a former b-baller @ Mr. Carucci’s 5th period gym class…(or whatever your credentials may be)” and then fill in your bunk/drivel. That way we can ALL have a basis for hurting your feelings back in our reply posts
Peacemen,
Rispeks for living up to your name in response to St_George.
Defenders,
I noticed a vast silence re: my reply to your coveting a “pass first” PG. But for African, those voters on Blogzilla’s poll were mum. It was not at your heart Cooleyhih as you know I’m steady with you (metro). I was appealing to your head as a current baller/evaluator (the one vocal here who first read JJordan correctly). Blogzilla, defend your rationale for wanting a “____ first” anything. Maybe you did that as Blogzilla to accomodate the Defender Blog or as Starburyfan who was Just bloggin’. Willis, Statesman, Tman, Kevin Harewood, Syd, George M, LGM, John Q, any of you who voted for a Pass FIRST PG–tell me what’s good.
Guess ya’ll feel my coffee rush this AM–and I don’t even drink that stuff.
KFLL
I’d like to see DNice get some major minutes in one of the next couple of preseason games.
I can only guess that he and Mardy must not be doing too well in practice not to get even a look.
Or maybe DNice pissed off IT by not goin’ to Europe?
I’d like to get a look at DNice playin the 2 for a stretch. Does he have a decent handle? Can he play D? He sure has the length and range on his shot to make an impact if he has the quickness and handle to play the 2.
I know Mardy played well at the end of last season, but who knows what his knee situation is. DNice had a breakout year last year, and the kid obviously has a lot of confidence, he could be just beginning to blossom. I’d hate to hang onto Jones and Collins and see this kid starting somewhere else in a couple of years.
Defenders,
Plus, it’s Hispanic Heritage Month.
Inspired by Cooleyhigh, I’d like to share these words with you. He will resume these type posts when he gets good & ready.
“The only way to change your story is to change what you believe about yourself….Every time you change the main character of your story, the whole story changes to adapt to the new main character.”
~Don Miguel Ruiz
Charles:
I hear you. But guess what! I really don’t care. If it means my one or two hits get him a raise, all power to him.
I just love to go there to see the results of arrogance. I use it as a real-life lesson for my students at “FIT.”
(Not the Fasion Institute of Technology)
Same goes to DNice. You are a Rook. No Rook makes an inpact in the first year, unless you’re a top five talent. Humble yourself, and good things will come. Playing overseas is not the worst thing. You’ll get playing time and if you belong, you will be in the league with even more confidence.
Confidence is great, but arrogance is a m’fkr.
Steady as it goes. NYK b-ball, so many scripts, so little time.
KFLL
African,
D(illusional or Demoted) Nichols is another case of a baller believing too much in his press clippings. Like IT said, “this ain’t Syracuse”. Now he gets to see and feel the smoke his agent has been blowing up his *$$ suggesting that he may already have a deal 4 him. Tell ya’ll this–Glenn and IT sure have been BZ this summer.
Let’s call that kid DBN–Dillusional But Nice (form on the J).
KFLL
Steady;
True, true. The fact is that Zeke has no time to be experimenting with players this year. This is a pressure cooker year for him. Only to have a Rook try to make life even more miserable and add to the pressure.
Can you imagine being Zeke over the past few years? I really don’t know how he does it. He’s one of my heroes.
No way Nichols would be able to contribute on a regular basis this year.
What’s better, sitting on the end of the bench or competing every night on the regular. Which one would elevate your game?
I think Zeke is delibertely not playing him since that would be an open tryout for the rest of the league. Zeke is saying “Dammit, I used my pick to get you. Other GM’s didn’t have the insight. I can’t give you away for nothing” and guess what. He’s right.
African
Caught you out there “Generalizing”
A Rookie can and has made an impact in his Rookie year!
Check that because if you think about it, A LOT of Rookies have
made Major impacts! You would be right saying it’s not the Norm,
but you posted it like it was Fact and there’s too many past and present examples
to list….. Starting with Magic and Bird to Chris Paul in current times! I’m
not comparing DNICE to the later, but we have to give this Kid a chance before we dismiss him…
WHICH AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN! If it does, it will be in a trade for YOU KNOW WHO!
Hey, let’s not go off the deep end. I never said anything about DNice being an “impact” player. We haven’t seen enought to feel confident he’s a fixture in a 9-man roster, at least not on this team. Hahn did break once that in a public scrimmage, DNice dropped a series of jumpers in Houston’s face. He can play some ‘d’ too, he’s not a liability. He’s not getting burn, and I don’t think it’s because he sucks. He’s not second round material (there were false rumours of DNice contracting some kind of ‘itis’ that dropped his stock) and he’s certainly not Euroleague material. It’s getting too political.
uh, lemme stick in one big fat “YET” at the end there
You can’t compare DNice to a top five talent…you have to compare him to other second round rookies that HAVE made impacts(not just garbage time) on playoff teams. Example: Daniel Gibson. Sure, he was a secound rounder who didn’t get any burn during the begginning of the season, but when he got his minutes, he clearly made an impact. Gibson is a great shooter…similar to DNice.
IMHO I don’t think Nichols on this team this year simply because IT is too high on JChuck and Fred Jones. But Nichols CAN make an impact on another team that isn’t so guard heavy.
But Nichols’ arrogance is something no GM would tolerate…can you imagine Popovich bowing to his wishes? Yea right.
Just bloggin.
Peaceman, African said non-top 5 rooks.
I used to think that was the deal, but now I’m pretty sure it’s 70-30 in favour of spite. If he intends to trade DNice, then giving him exposure now is exactly the thing to do.
Obviously, Zeke made a deal with DNice’s ex-agent w/o consulting him (agent prolly tol’ Zeke, “don’t worry, i’ll smoove it out”). When DNice got the full deal, he said no-way. Can’t blame Nichols for sticking up for himself. If Zeke doesn’t think he belongs on a 15-man roster, then cut his azz already.
(man, it’s like i’m DNice’s cousin or somethin)
Anti,
“Last week the Knicks lost to Boston by 40pts and scared us Defenders. Admit it guys”
I said then it would take some time to work thngs out for the Knicks, and the C’s had the advantage of the home court and the buzz about the “big three”…..
It didn’t concern me at all. It’s on the record.
You don’t have to look far to find impact-making second-rounders. Just last year there was Paul Millsap. Check draft history and you’ll see there’s at least one or two guys from each draft who ended up being extremely handy to have within a year or so (if not the first year). Zeke can’t afford to stunt the team’s future just to win 40-odd games this year (and let’s get real, that’s the most likely scenario for total wins this season). If Fred Jones, who is already maxing his potential, is going to be the difference between making the playoffs or not, then fuhgeddaboutit.
Defenders
Thanks with the play by play on yesterdays excellent game. I had other commitments and wasn’t able to see the game until the last quarter but I got up to speed with what went on by checking your play by play on color commentary.
I understand the recent clamor about DbNice here, and it no doubt seems that with Thomas already in a must win season unproven rookies especially a later round draft pick might not be able to have an inmediate impact this season and that might factor into Nichols not making the team. I do like Nichols Confidence but African summed it up really well with the bit about the difference between confidence and arrogance. I guesse that unlike H20, who recognized what burden he was having on Isiah given the coaches and team’s current situation, and then thereby made the decision to reretire, Nichols insist on what he might percieve as his right to make the team and perhaps contribute and play meaningful minutes.
All that said there’s nothing wrong with believing or percieving that you have something to offer but then there’s the reality outside of Nichols control that is the teams– Knicks– reality to win now and this requires that Thomas deviate from his early path of developing his rookies. Nichols either fails to see this or perhaps at this point is in a war of egos with Isiah. If there is such a face off of egos between Isiah and Nichols then Nichols is letting his drive get the better of him, and given his supposed potential the situation seems to be pushing Isiah towards keeping his cards closer, which he has all the right and reason to do. Unlike Houston’s gracious departure, which according to some here may leave Houston with a future in the organization, Nichol’s obstinance is placing Thomas in the unenviable position of squeezing teh rookie to hide him from competitors in the East and force some perspective upon him. It’s an example of a bad situation becoming even worse.
Nichols was not a lottery pick, not even 1st rounder. I agree with African, this kid has bowling balls. He should be happy he has a guaranteed contract. He has a nice J, but still is a stiff on defense.
I agree also that I don’t know how IT is holding up. Even when he wins the chant for him to be flagged still goes on in the press. IT should just ignore his dumbass. He signed a contract then wants to make demands. And he can’t play defense on a defense-starved team that has to win right now? Incredible.
How can you compare Eisley and Anderson to James and Jeffries? IT’s guys can play and will have a important role on this team. They’re not all-stars, and the contracts indicates it (MLE). Everyone knows you’re not going to get a player to come to NY and deal with this circus without paying a surcharge.
Eisley and Anderson versus James and Jeffries. Who would win that two-on-two tournament? Wow, that’s a tough question.
DNice should have a place on this team. Unfortunately, he’ll probably be a vic of the “numbers game”.
One side of me sayshe should’ve went to Europe, but another side admires the kid immensely for believing in himself and his abilities like he does…
I’ve stated before that he’s not the kinda kid I want to face down the road, but I think Isiah’s trying to make a point by waiting till the last minute to cut him. We all know Zeke’s ego….it’s the size of the state of Texas…..:)
At this point, who know’s how this thing is gonna play out.
I hope we find room for him. Flat-out pure shooters are a rarity.
Jackie Butler made the same demands. He’s on his third team in 3 years.
Yeah, and we certainly could use another good perimeter shooter. He has to know that we need him. Why force IT in this spot? Why can’t he train hard and wait for his opportunity? Q/Rich both missed a lot of games last year. He has to know that there’s a chance they might not be ready for 82 games.
I meant Richardson/Crawford.
Excuse my ignorance, but if we send a player overseas, can they still come back mid-year if we have injuries? Seems unlikely, I’m sure the foreign teams have their own contractual issues. Correct me if I’m wrong?
Hell-uv-a-game!Anyone who thinks that was just a preseason game needs to switch to hockey.Statements were being made by both teams.Garnett played 39 hard minutes.For what?The message had to be sent to undermine young Knick confidence.Hit them hard and shake them up so bad that..Instead, we punched them in their figurative faces.Unqualifiedly, the best Knick game of recent history because the DEFENSIVE INTENSITY was there.Guys worked hard on that end.The Troika was scoreless in the 4th quarter when they were trying very, very hard to win right down to the last seconds.The message has been sent to Beantown, “If that’s all you got? Let’s get busy!”The biggest, and only disappointment, of this game was Curry’s negative sagacity on D.He’s lighter, and should be, at least, smart enough to use his quick footwork, if nothing else, to keep Garnett from down low.Garnett, and others, were getting to the middle to easily.That also allowed KG to rebound monstro-offensively and you know what that means.Incidently, remember last year when some of the old timers suggested trading for Garnett and were roundly booed by the youngbloods.Well, how you like Garnett now?Think about him playing next to Big E?Okay, that’s over and done!But remember, gray hair don’t come easy!Still don’t believe Boston has enough to win this thing.Right, Harewood?The Celtic bench, we dominated them, reeks and the PGA Tour still has to play too many minutes.Got to also apologize to Nate.Didn’t think he could do it.That was his best game, period.He played the point within himself,made great passes, controlled tempo,minimized turnovers and best played excellent D.He controlled Rondo nicely and was only scored on when he helped others.LB would have been proud.He played the right way.Can he do it again.Please do.I didn’t like the pass by Nate to Lee, great job defensively, into the post with under a minute.Lee has no back to the basket game and immediately turned it over.Poor decision.Nate should have reversed the ball and got it to Zack who’s got game to spare down low.Again, poor decision, but hey it’s about learning.Everyone played well for us.Eddie needs to pick it up on the defensive side (THINK!!! Become Saga(sagacious)City)If he does and we can maintain defensive intensity we’ll definitely be in it, to win it!One of our weaknesses last season was we kicked a little butt and it went immediately to our heads.If we stay hungry, the beast will be fed.Starbury,many props,you’re doing what makes our country great!Sounds stupid,but Frank and Alan, both getting paid, opened up the door.You stood up and kicked it open and got it yurself!Hey, hey, HEY!(loved the godfather!)Way to be!And much respect!And as for the rest of the pre, we don’t have to win them all, but they all have to make us better.LGK
This is what its all about.
An argument in the AM.
I’m digging the reading.
Peace:
Rooks make impact, but like I said before, he’s not top five talent.
Rooks get opportunity, but not in this pressure cooker of NYC, with the sharks circling to bite Zeke in his ass at the first sign of blood.
All I’m saying, is that the circumstances are not conducive for Nichols to get any burn THIS year. Nichols does not need to add to the pressure that Zeke is under; and believe me, that’s some pressure. Someone mentioned Millsap. Yeah, had a nice rookie year, but that’s in UTAH. Jerry Sloan could go 2-80 and still be the coach for ten more years. C’mon people, get with it, this is NYC.
Isiah used his second round pick to get him, then he should play him, cut him and send him to the enemy? Isiah is playing his cards right, like any smart GM should do to protect his assets.
It’s chess guys, not checkers.
HarlemMD: his contract isn’t actually guaranteed at all and this meme about his defense is so weird. where does anyone get off saying his defense sucks? it’s said with such confidence, too! i don’t get that. no, he’s not a gifted defender, but overall, he has yet to show he’s a liability for any team.
we know the deal from summer league. so far, in his whopping 13 minutes on the floor in pre-season these are his stats:
13MINS 4-8 (50%)FG 100%FT 2REBS 1STEAL 8pts
tell me again how he doesn’t deserve a spot on an NBA roster (including this one).
CharlesFM
While I agree with most of your points, I think, D-nice should take a backseat (he’s a 2nd rounder) and keep his lips zipped. Humility is the key.
Would he rather be in Portland who are even younger and more overloaded with 2’s and 3’s?
If another team wanted him, there were plenty who passed him up on draft day.
If I were in his position (don’t I wish) I’d be happy to be with a team who thought enough of me to pick me up on draft night. Euroleague is not such a bad place to show off and develop your skills. I think that was a mistake on the rooks part but I can’t criticize him for standing up for himself. More power to him.
He should sit tight, keep pluggin away in practice and hope the balls fall in his favor. Beyond that, Zeke has too much talents and too many challenges this year to worry about the emotional health of his “bought and paid for” 2nd-round pick.
Here’s an update on my “trade-able” list.
Don’t boo me bitches:
Collins (yeah yeah, i know, i love him too)
D-Knick
JJames
JJeffries
If the money could be worked out somehow, I can’t imagine a better package THIS YEAR from another team for ARTEST
HarlemMD
The next time I see you respond to a post by drossman, you will have to pay an extra $500 in penalty charges.
Ever heard the expression: Take his opinion with a “grain of salt”.
His opinion is worth less than half a grain of salt.
One more infraction and your rights are revoked for a 5 hour period, plus the $500 penalty charge, plus you’ll be on “roach-killing” duty.
The village is watching
African, yeah, it’s chess so excuse the boy if he doesn’t wanna play the pawn. He got jobbed by some false rumours, fell to second round, then got jobbed by his first agent. He knows he belongs on an NBA roster, why should he fly overseas where anything can happen, just to make Zeke happy? He’s forcing Zeke’s hand. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
I’ve learnt a long time ago, you can’t bite the hand that feed you.
That was a dumb-assed move, if I’ve ever heard of one. Why would you try to force the hand of your GM, who just happens to be your coach?
The word asinine and arrogant comes to mind.
Charles,
Nich is 6′8″, 216 lbs. (according to knicks website), tall and slim. His lateral movement is slow and he does not have an NBA body. Where do you want to place this shooter, at SF? Not strong enough. At SG? I think that’s the spot, but there are a lot of good 2s and 3s in the league. Chandler is more NBA-ready in terms of body and overall game, and he got his shot blocked by Vince against New Jersey. It might have affected him a little; he didn’t seem so confident yesterday.
Scorers with Nichols’ pedigree sometimes come off a great college performance and don’t realize the competition is much more intense in NBA. Richardson is known as a good defender and he yet Pierce had 29 points, Posey had a couple of crucial 3s. Chandler has shown good defensive positioning but Pierce still scored on him. It’s not easy to defend these guys on the perimeter.
Did you see Nichols in the Summer League games? Do you recall guys blowing past him, driving to the lane? His shot looked very good, of course; he is a shooter. But he didn’t defend that well in the summer leagues. IT’s comment that “this ain’t Syracuse” was clearly referring to his defense. He can’t just be a dominant shooter and wait for someone else to the defensive work. He has to guard now.
He’s also a rookie. Refs would blow the whistle early and often on a new guy having trouble keeping his opponent in front of him.