Who’s next for the Knicks?

Starburyfan ? this is a response to your 15:39 post on the other channel. I tried posting it there but I think it was rejected because of the world ?prick? — which I assume is OK here. I also hope this is acceptable: cross-posting this way. I mean, that?s why you posted that there, right? Anyway, cheers . . .

Starburyfan ? Yes, I should read that, thanks. I haven?t read it in his own words, but that?s the time in music ? and that?s the music – I?m most obsessed with. Legend has it, that was when Coltrane hit bottom — his first time through Miles? band. Ironically, it was Miles who tried to get him to clean up. (Like the great line in the Gram Parsons bio reviewed in last Sunday?s NY Times? Book Review: Apparently, Keith Richards was getting worried that Parsons was doing too much heroin: ?When Keith Richards is running your intervention, you know you have a drug problem.?)

But those guys changed music. When Coltrane is clean again he joins Miles a second time. That?s the ?Kind of Blue? band with Cannonball. When he leaves Miles, he forms his seminal quartet. From Kind of Blue to A Love Supreme launched jazz in a new direction. The only analogy I can think of is when cubism hit the art scene 50-60 years earlier. Art itself was being taken apart . . . from the inside out . . . and put back together a whole new way.

You?re generous to Miles when you call him confident and proud. He was all those things, certainly. Yet, most people who knew him ? even those who loved him – concede he was an arrogant prick and a flaming @sshole who couldn?t control his rage. Through a very weird set of circumstances ? that had nothing to do with me – I spent a night with Miles at a club in the village a few years before he died. Our table was right next to the stage and he would look for any opportunity to trash – loudly – the trumpet player on stage . . . who also happened to own the club, and had been sending over free drinks all night. (Miles also hogged ALL the drugs at the table.)

SBF ? This isn?t meant to discourage you. Just to say that he was a VERY complicated man ? a genius, brilliant, whose music can take your breath away. Yet this quintessential hipster was not from the mean city streets. He had a very mid-west, middle class upbringing. And was said to be violent to women (and lived a lot more like a celebrity than an artist ? mansions, Ferraris, etc.). But you must know a lot more about him than I do at this point. I?d be interested in your reaction if you?re so inclined . . . (Is that the autobiography the new film is based on?)

Here’s an article from RealGM on IT’s trades. MODI and others have already disected these moves here but it is good to see that the Knicks are getting some love on the national pub.

Nene is out again for 6-8 weeks with thumb injury

Ali-G! Ali-G!

Dat post 144 is sum funy shyt!

I’m glad to see at least one of you phants has a decent sense of humor.

Didn’t realize RJ was gay…but clearly the Knicks have been bending over, and letting the Nets shove a broomstick up their collective ass for the last several years…so maybe that was a clue…both teams are gay. We just like being dominated. I just wish those Fughazzis would put a little vaseline on it first.

Anyway…of course I Like Gay Men(LGM) teehee…giggle, especially the ones who put on eye makeup, hop under a sheet with a video camera, and sob ‘hater! MSM!’ whenever somebody dares to dis Britanny Spears or Eddy Curry….that’s why I hang out here. Some of you defenders remind me of a bad Will & Grace episode.

The key tonight is first unit D and takin care of the ball. Orlando has a nice starting 5 that can fill it up, but they aren’t deep. Getting Howard in foul trouble would be key. I bet Howard is gonna come w a little extra after getting pwned by Eddy last year.
Hey…Is Foyle also on the phant list of guys who ‘Can’t Stop Eddy!!!’? Just checkin’

Hey…was it Braintrust BARF who said that Detroit was gonna bitchslap the Bulls last nite? Good call. Your keen ‘jumpin on the bandwagon’ analysis is noted. Did you also write Dallas and Pheonix outta the playoffs after 4 games last year?

Did someone else giggle when the Nets were losin big in the first half last nite? You phants crack me up.

Hey Starburyfan…weren’t you claimin’ that the Knicks r the only team w two 20/20 guys up front?
Dang…Orlandos front line is 23-21-19 so far this year. Eddy might have to jump once or twice on the defensive end tonite for our boyz to win. Hope he remembers how…

From Vescey’s column. At least Eddy is honest about his game:

“Usually I’m on the bench at the end of a close game. For defensive reasons,” he clarified.

As tactlessly as possible, I told Curry I thought his failure to hit free throws also might have something to do with it.

“It’s probably a combination of the two,” he said cheerfully.

Imagine that: Someone who can handle the truth.

Dang, Eddy needs to hire African as one of his possey…maybe if African was blowin’ smoke up his ass 24×7, he’d start claimin he’s the second coming of Bill Russell.

Seriously Defenders…Vescey has a good point…Eddy is a very humble, likable guy…nice kid, with a huge body, who just got pushed into the NBA too early. UNfortunately, we need a warrior in the paint. Too bad our last great warrior is down coachin’ Howard, and we’re stuck w Herb and Aquire.

The Curry/Howard matchup is the one to watch tonight. Who stays outta foul trouble, who gets some putbacks, who hits there free throws.

One things for sure, you know Howard won’t be off the floor for ‘defensive reasons’ at the end of any game.

A little diversion from BB;

Stephon Marbury Pays Moving Hospital Visit

Knicks vs. Magic Preview

When New York Knicks captain Stephon Marbury learned about the plight of 17-year-old Sohaib Qureshi, whose skull was crushed by a falling tree limb as he played catch with his younger brother in Riverside Park last summer, Marbury knew he had to do something for one of his biggest fans.

“This is where I’m supposed to be,” Marbury said as he paid a visit to Qureshi’s hopsital room on Thursday. “And this is what I’m supposed to do.”

Qureshi has been hospitalized since Aug. 30. After laying in a coma for 15 days, he can now breathe on his own and communicates by blinking his eyes.

Upon hearing that one of his favorite basketball players was going to visit him on Thursday, Qureshi could barely sleep the night before because he wanted to practice using his right hand to shake hands with Marbury when the Knicks star arrived.

Qureshi didn’t have to worry about shaking hands, because upon entering his room on Thursday, Marbury went straight to Qureshi and gave him a huge hug. Even though the teen could not smile, it was clear that meeting one of his heroes meant the world to him.

“Coming here is something we are supposed to do,” said Marbury. “To uplift a kid’s spirits, and to allow him even the smallest amount of joy from what he’s been going through with his injury, we are supposed to do things like this. It’s always a blessing to be able to do something to give a kid like him some fulfillment.”

After introducing himself to the Qureshi family and having pictures taken with them, Marbury reached into his bags and took out countless presents, including gifts from the Knicks and shoes from his own Starbury collection.

As Marbury autographed the three pairs of sneakers he had brought with him, Qureshi’s brother and sister pointed out that young Sohaib was already wearing a pair of Starburys — as was his father!

A talented young basketball player, Qureshi also coached younger children. When his family pointed out that his players had made a poster with pictures and messages, Marbury was truly touched to read the get-well wishes from children whom Qureshi had impacted over the past few years.

After autographing Sohaib’s collection of hats, including his favorite white Knicks one, Marbury continued giving out gifts to the young man and his family, including Knicks towels, T-shirts, headbands, hats, and a Knicks duffel bag.

Marbury also gave Qureshi an Under Armour Knicks shirt for him to wear while he rehabs. And since Qureshi happens to be a championship chess player, Marbury gave him an assortment of board games, including a chess set.

As Marbury prepared to leave, he leaned back in toward Qureshi, gave him another huge hug and said a prayer. It turned into a truly magical moment when Qureshi did something that he had not been able to do since the injury – lifting his arms to give a peace sign. With his family ecstatic, Marbury mouthed the word “wow” as he gave a peace sign back to Qureshi and promised that he would be his guest at a Knicks game as soon as he recovers from his injuries.

LGM:

Tell me, what really is your issue? You are knowledgeable to a pint, you are passionate about what you believe but you being here at Knicksdefense is like your president GB being at an Intellectual’s luncheon….it just doesn’t make sense.

Steady: you said:

Think God always

I say…..OK

Yo…St_George…no issues…just bloggin’…just keepin’ it real.

I must admit, I’m no intellectual or ‘visionary’. It must take a HUGE friggin’ cerebral cortex to claim Eddy Curry is the best big man since Shaq, or that the Knicks will win a championship in the next two years…or that Chicago sucks cause they’re 0-4 and don’t have Eddy.

Yeah…Ize gots to admit…I dont got da noggin’ to keeps up wif da braintrust dat blogs dat kinda sheet.

I’m just a dumbass Knick fan…who has learned over the last few years not to get too high after a win, and not get on a ledge on the Brooklyn Bridge with a picture of Ron Artest in one hand, and Kobe in the other…after a loss.

I like this team better than last year. Zeke gettin’ Randolph here was his greatest accomplishment as GM for the Knicks. Better then the Curry deal, IMO. He traded a soft player for a hard player. And thats what we need. And if he and his staff can coach Curry into a warrior, and Nate into a smart, mature point guard, I’ll be happy for years to come. I think its clear that both Eddy and Nate know their weaknesses, lets see how they work to improve them.

BTW…I also like Taz more than Ariza, he certainly plays better D, and I think he has a better chance at developing a consistent outside shot. He’s also a ‘hard’ player. The exact kinda guy I want on my team.
Ariza had some great timing on offensive putbacks, but it doesn’t look like he’s improved that much since he left, looking at minutes hes getting compared to Taz…I don’t know if he’ll ever be a starter in this league. Should be another interesting matchup.

Crawford and Marbs SHOULD outplay their backcourt tonight…I’d much rather have JJ on Lewis and/or Turk…I think Q is gonna get pwned by both of them.

Yo African…

It took you long enuf to start backpedaling…

No braintrust…my name ain’t Bitch Lawrence, and I wouldn’t line a bird cage with that useless rag…haven’t read anything that azzhole’s said in years.

Anyway…I looked up the word ‘devastating’:

dev•as•tate ?d?v ??ste?t –
–verb (used with object), -tat•ed, -tat•ing.
1. Refuses to jump for a rebound
2. Can’t hit foul shots…especially in the 4th quarter
3. Turns his back and closes his eyes when opposing guards drive the lane
4 Good for 2-3 stupid offensive fouls a night.

Damn man, I didn’t realize…Curry is the most devastating big man…of All Time!!!

U R one helluva ‘visionary’

Hey swami, can you tell me what the stock markets gonna do today?

From today’s NY Post

“NETS ERASE 20-POINT DEFICIT, HOLD ON TO BEAT WIZARDS

November 9, 2007 — The Nets proved some inalienable truths last night.

If you defend, you always will have a chance. If you keep playing hard, no matter how dismal the outlook, you always will have a chance.” That’s what I’m talking about!D-up in the 1st quarter and we won’t need a miracle to win!

On the Knicks/Magic:
“They play small ball with Dwight inside,” said Zach Randolph, who likely will have to go up against Rashard Lewis, just as he did at times when he was in Portland and Lewis was with the Sonics. “It’s gonna be interesting. We just got to be ready to move our feet.”

But don’t expect the Knicks to do much differently than they have been.

“We have to play the way we understand how to play,” Thomas said. “We’re a power team, get the ball inside. Our strength is rebounding, getting to the foul line. That’s how we win, regardless of who we’re playing against.”Q,Balkman,Chandler,Jones on Lewis, Lee, Zack, Balkman,Chandler on the Turk.Add Mardy.Jones to the present mix in the backcourt.This is a war of defensive attrition.Break the usual rotation for fresh bodies.Miami plays no D and are small in the backcourt,Definitely defensively- deficient in the front, excepting Dwight, or Dwrong!If Eddy seals off Dwight that leaves the Turk on Zack, Puh-leeze!We D-up, we win, it’s that simple.

“Shares in Cablevision sank 8 cents to close at $26.45, nearly $10 below the Dolans’ offer to take the company private.

The stock decline was fueled in part by investor concern about Verizon’s increasingly competitive TV service FiOS, which is now available in roughly 25 percent of Cablevision’s market.

The company lost 16,000 basic subscribers in the quarter.”

Hope for new ownership stays alive!It’s amazing how the dailies have backed off Isiah after a few wins.With frontrunners it’s always like that.The players have to realize that Isiah’s sanity is based on their best efforts.Life is good when you’re the king!LGK

As for the Curry debate, it’s understandable t be impatient,but he only one who’s job is on the line is IT.If he can be patient then…Big men develop slowly, don’t expect to see the endgame Curry until he’s about 28.No one is complaining about the offensive improvement he made last year.I would love to see more on the defensive side too, but if he continue to progress defensively I’ll be patient.It’s still a team game for winners.Everyone needs to step up together on the defensive side.There’s no reason that a guy with Jamal’s physical gifts can’t be an adequate, or even excellent defender.Nate is showing great strides,Steph is good,Balk and Lee are improving, Zack is trying (love his offensive game, needs to pass some to become outstanding!) and Q is a great defender.There is defensive chemistry just like there is offensive.When the Knicks find that defensive formula, the league will become very nervous.Have faith in your team.LGK

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

Hawks High off Marvin

After 4 games, this may be the Marvin Williams’ best season yet:

The Marvin Williams moment came on a rebound in the second quarter, when he elevated above the crowd near the basket, snatched the ball out of the air with one hand and came down with it like it was no big deal.

Those days may be over.

PRE-GAME REPORT: THE KNICKS (2-1) VS. ORLANDO MAGIC (4-1)

So far this year it seems that every game for the Knicks is significant on several levels. Of course each victory makes it more possible for the Knicks to get into the playoffs. One can expect the race to be funky contentious in April, so every win now is really crucial. This Orlando game is also significant for three other reasons: developing and executing from a consistent winning attitude; establishing who had the better off-season acquisition and creating a home court advantage that puts a little fear in visiting teams.

First, the Knicks must now show whether they can handle the prosperity of winning by creating a winning streak longer than two games. Last year the Knicks famously had a difficult time mounting winning streaks, often following a great win with a baffling and frustrating loss. Last year, Malik Rose complained about the Knicks not being able to handle prosperity and losing focus after wins, but the Knicks are due to show their maturity and seasoning today.

Second, underlying this contest is the game within the game – who made the better off-season acquisition? After the Knicks turned heads by picking up the dangerous ZBo, Orlando tried to keep up by bringing on Rashard Lewis. Both teams changed dramatically with these acquisitions, but it’s time to start establishing who got the best deal. Just Bloggin’. Third, a three game winning streak will make it clear that the Garden once again belongs to the Knicks and Knicks Fanatic’s. Now is the time to make our house a home.

This season so far, the Orlando Magic (4-1) have defeated the Bucks, Wizards, Timberwolves and Raptors . Their strength is the three point shooting of Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu. Opposing pundits are starting to look at the Magic with fear and trepidation, but if they look beyond Dwight Howard’s muscles they will see a decent team that beat two teams (Washington and Minnie) that would have trouble making the playoffs right now and another team on the second game of a back-to-back. The best team they played (Detroit) slaughtered them by 24 and provided all the video instructions (if not resources) needed for the Knicks to improve their home record to 3-0.

Generally, the Knicks will beat the Magic by outscoring, out hustling and out rebounding them even though the Magic may have scary runs on tres that will make the Knicks look hopeless and hapless. However the Knicks go where Zeke takes them with his game plan. Like Zeke, the Knicks will need to remain on an even keel, especially after such a wonderful win against Denver and in the face of the prospect of double digit deficits against the sharpshooting Magic.

Last year, the Knicks took the series against the Magic 2-1, but with ZBo and Rashard in the mix this year, we are looking at two totally different teams. My just bloggin’ prediction is that the Knicks win by 8-15 points with another very strong fourth quarter.

The Coach

Although he was not the Magic’s first choice, Stan Van Gundy was probably the best choice for head coach of this team. This is his third season as a coach and he has taken his squad to the playoffs in two of those seasons. As you know, he waw replaced by his boss Pat Riley in the 05-06 season when he had an 11-10 record, before Riles took the team to a Championship Ring Ceremony.

Stan is considered a smart coach with strong defensive principles. But of course you must learn to play the cards (players) that you have. He is still trying to figure his team out, but he seems committed to creating an up tempo team that blows out opponents from the three point line with a center as an interior anchor commanding double teams that free up his shooters and speedy guards.

Let’s watch his decision-making closely, because this rivalry, with the Curry-Howard and ZBo-Lewis (and Zeke-Van Gundy) match-ups, promises to be fun for the next six or more years, just like our revitalized rivalry with the Boston Celtics (which may last two to three years at the most).

The Magic’s Starting Five and Rotation,

The Orlando starting five should be as follows:

Hedo Turkoglu GF
Rashard Lewis F
Dwight Howard C
Keith Bogans GF
Jameer Nelson PG

Van Gundy has been using an 11 man rotation, but playing eight players for 10 minutes or more. The remainder of the rotation will see Carlos Arroyo and Kevon Dooling pick up at point or the 2-spot and Adonal Foyal come in at Center. Treva Ariza, Pat Garrity and Bo Outlaw should see some minutes. Shooter JJ Redick is day-to-day with back spasms and Tony Battie is out indefinitely because of shoulder surgery.

Jameer Nelson played on Wednesday for 30 minutes but is still listed as day-to-day as a result of a concussion he suffered.

ORLANDO MAGIC PLAYAS IN-DEPTH

Dwight Howard is 6’11″, 265lbs and in five games is averaging 35.8 minutes, 18.8 ppg, 13 rpg, 2.4 blocks pg, and 1.6 assists. WOW.

I enjoyed reading, as usual, TMAN’s pinpoint pregame analysis. I must use this space to piggyback on his belief that Howard can be neutralized by boxing him out and forcing him to take shots beyond three feet from the basket. There is no doubt that he is a “beast under the basket” but tonight he will be competing with all of Creature Feature including Taz (the Werewolf), Count DLee, and ZfrankenBo, all rebounding monsters in their own right and better, we hope, in their own house. Note that Howard missed a double, double in the victory over Toronto when he got ONLY 9 rebounds. (snicker, snicker).

His other weakness is his defense. Sure he blocks shots but he seems to be having trouble with big men. He had five fouls in the Detroit and Toronto games and four in the Minnesota game.

Jameer Nelson was given a five year contract extension at the beginning of the year. The scouting report reads “very talented. . . .excellent ball handling skills. . .not afraid of going to the hole. . . .good defender on the ball . . . more of a scorer than a playmate.” For better or worse, better so far, he runs the show averaging 11ppg., 4.5 rpg, 5.5 ast, 2.3 to and 1 stl. Hopefully, Zeke decides to put three-quarter and half-court pressure on him to force the Magic to shoot deeper into the clock, forcing turnovers, rushed shots and clock violations. Another option is to make to have the Knicks guards to cheat on defense and allow Jameer to take shots late in the clock since his shooting is very suspect at 40%. Not a brilliant idea, but the ball is less deadly in his hands than those of Lewis and Turkoglu.

It must also be noted that Jameer is almost perfect from the line at 91%.

Backing him up at point is Carlos Arroyo who has been averaging 22 minutes, 3 apg and 7.5ppg. Arroyo is quick with a nice handle and good passing skills, but he is shooting terribly. I don’t understand why he only has three assists per game. He started against Minnesota and scored 18 points with six assists in 37 minutes. Van Gundy only gave him 18 minutes of burn in the next game against Toronto. I don’t know what that is about.

The bottom line is that the Magic playmakers like to dribble and move around a lot. They are serviceable but not lethal. Pressure on them and defenders sticking with their assignments (sounds like football) may wreak some havoc on the Orlando playbook.

Rashard Lewis is a marksman at 6″10, 230lbs. He plays 37 minutes and is shooting an amazing 58% ,including 59% from the arc. He will and can shoot from anywhere from under the basket to 27 ft, three feet beyond the arc. Then add 88% from the charity stripe. That type of net wetting makes grown men want to cry. With Howard in the hole, he has been taking about 14 shots and averaging 23.2 points per game, almost 7 points more than his career average. The good news is that he is not much defensively. He is good for only four rebounds per game, including 1 on the offensive side, and all that height and hops goes to waste because he won’t block a shot.

This looks like a job for Taz on defense. Here we will really miss Jeffries. Good luck Qrich. It woould be a good night for Q to pop in like 3-4 tres. In any event, ZBo will make Lewis pay the toll on the other end of the bridge, so hopefully it balances out.

Hedo Turkoglu at 6′ 10′, 220 lbs is simply a baller. His scouting report, if you didn’t know any better, would also put Don Knots in your stomach. “So versatile. . .Can play four different spots from point guard to power forward. . . .Does his best on small forward position. . . .very good at driving to the basket, thanks to his size. . . .Can shoot from anywhere. . . .Good accuracy from beyond the arc. . . .Not afraid of taking clutch shots. . . .Yada, yada, yada. . . . written by his mother. . . . yada, yada, yada.

O’k so he’s pretty good as reflected by his last game: “Turkoglu led the Magic with a strong 24 points/15 rebounds double-double on Wednesday night. He also dished six assists, shot well (8-for-18 FG, 5-for-6 FT), knocked down three treys, and added a steal and a block in 45 minutes of action.”

So what, I ain’t afraid of no Turko, says the Knicks Fanatic’s. Right now, I’m tired of writing about him, but there is a weakness. He is foul prone. That is where ZBo comes in, again. Van Gundy should put Turkoglu on Curry so he can flop, but if he is caught on ZBo, pity the fool. The Knicks must get Turky off the court. His back-up is Treva Ariza who has not received significant burn this season although he can create havoc for opponents with his speed and energy. But odds are that he can’t guard ZBo either.

The shooting guard is Keith Bogans 6’5″, 215 out of Kentucky. Drafted in 2003. He has a mediocre jump shot but is rather athletic. Against Toronto, Bogans had a good game , producing a 17 points/11 rebounds double-double to go along with four treys and three assists. His FG% is at 46% and his tre wetting is at 41%. He takes most of his shots from around the arc and is 90% from the free throw line. However, he seems to get fouled about twice a game at most. He can definitely go cold in the shooting department though. He is backed up by Kevin Dooling who is averaging 5 ppg., 1.6 asst, and 1 rebound in 18 minutes of PT.

HOW THE KNICKS CAN BEAT ORLANDO

The story of this game is whether Zee can out-coach Stan Van Gundy over four, not three, quarters. Zeke’s job, as usual, is to put his team in a position to win in the fourth quarter while knowing that the team’s weakness is perimeter defense, which will not change overnight obviously. The Knicks will need very aggressive perimeter defense similar to what they played for 44 minutes (but longer) against the Cavaliers and the same type of one-on-one defense the Knicks employed against Gilbert Arenas last year.

The Magic look like the prototype high-risk, high reward team that relies on offensive fire power and an up tempo game. They are winning by an average of 10 points per game, but their first game was a 22- point loss to the Pistons.

Orlando makes 10.4 tres per game out of 25 attempts for an average of 41%. We can expect the good shooting to continue unless they are forced to rush their shots.

This team reminds me of last year’s Toronto Raptors which were imminently beatable because they were a jump shooting squad that relied on threes, coupled with a mediocre defense. They line-up riflemen on the perimeter while their speedy guards race around the floor until they draw a second defender allowing for quick passes around the perimeter until one man is open for a clean tre. It is a tough set up to defend exacerbated by the likes of a Rashard Lewis who can pop the tre with a player in his mug.

The good news is that the odds are always in favor of a jump shooting team going cold at some point in the game. The Knicks need to make sure that the cold streak lasts and that they are close enough to overtake or separate from the Magic when the ice age comes.

Zeke’s strategy should be relatively simple for these Knicks to execute.The Knicks have a strong advantage over a 48 minute stretch if they play some perimeter defense, play at a varied, pace as the situation calls for it, and force the Orlando bigs to defend and foul. For the Knicks, it’s all about getting to the fourth quarter with advantages in team fouls, fouls against bigs and the guards and in bench strength. For the first four games, the Magic’s fourth quarter shooting has been significantly worse than the other three quatrters. Additionally, while Orlando is ranked 7th (by points against) in fourth quarter defense, the Knicks are ranked 3rd in 4th quarter scoring and 16th in 4th quarter defense.

Offensively, Zeke will make Orlando work rather hard by alternately pounding the ball into the post, tossing quick passes to cutters to the hoop and driving the pill to the basket through the guards. Zeke will want to force the bigs to work their hands and to get into foul situation early. Howard cannot guard either Curry or Randolph without fouling. Neither can Turkoglu or Rashard. An early dose of inside pressure will force Van Gundy to lose his deadly outside-inside combo. Two quick fouls on Howard and Turkoglu in the first quarter would be Nirvana.

The Knicks can break the game open defensively, especially with their second unit, because they can get tons of scoring off of Orlando turnovers and offensive boards. Orlando is turnover prone (12.2 to pg) especially Howard, Turkoglu and Nelson. They also tend to give up a significant amount of points on turnovers. The Knicks can and should also be in fast break mode off the long offensive rebounds that will come their way from the missed tres. This is certainly one place where the Knicks will miss Nate Robinson who I would expect would rest up for Ricky Davis and potentially Dwade on Sunday.. But if Nate can play both games and hustle like he normally does for threes and rebounds, this could be an even better night for the home team. (Note: I did just read that Isiah is allowing Nate to self-medicate diagnose and play through the hamstring.

Rashard Lewis would best be guarded by Renaldo Balkman or Jared Jeffries, who is still listed as out indefinitely although he is doing some running. At 6’6″, Quentin Richardson may be too short to impact Lewis’ high release with any consistency. Let’s watch Qrich closely to see how he fits in the game plan. What is he doing away from the ball?

The Knicks will probably present a starting five of

Stephon Marbury
Jamal Crawford
Quentin Richardson
Eddie Curry
Zach Randolph

and a rotation that would include

David Lee
Renaldo Balkman
Malik Rose
Nate Robinson or Fred Jones

I would expect Isiah to put Rose in the mix in order to preserve his center early on and to keep a body on Howard just to box him out and make him work his feet on the offensive end. I would expect and hope to see Fred Jones if Nate is unavailable. .

From Orlando’s perspective, it would take more than Magic to stop the Knicks. They do not have the defensive weapons. If the game is tight in the fourth and Curry can step up again like he did against Denver, this could be a very happy night for Knick Fanatics

I think it will be.

Seems like the Celtics James Posey is having back problems which might sidline him. Off course whether he’ll miss anytime will is yet to be determined

JohnQ,

JJ will have his surgery, and hopefully someone will call it career ending, and he’ll retire.

There just isn’t any room in this league any more for 320+ lb, plodding, centers. They are dinosaurs. They break down way too easy. Shaq has been the exception…but Shaq gets himself into shape. JJ has never been in shape.

All these JJ types are outta the league. The new big man prototype is 7ft, 250, can post, or face and put the ball on the floor, and most can shoot the jumper.

The second tier guys are the guys who can at least guard and maybe stop that kinda guy while rippin’ down boards. Think Elson.

JJ was a desperation move by Zeke, hopefully he’ll cost less to go away then Larry Brown or ABS.

The center position is disappearing…

St George…

I got no hate for Curry…I was thrilled last year with his progress on the offensive side and most importantly, staying on the floor for 30-35 minutes a night. That, combined with a lot of our team going down, got us 33 wins, in a very weak conference.

Against Denver, he was on the floor, he was grabbin an offense board and putback, he was altering some shots…in CRUNCH TIME. When the game was on the line. And so was Zach btw…

That is what Patrick Ewing did, that is what Oakley did, that is what got us deep into the playoffs. Big men acting like BIG MEN. Defending their paint.

I’m only disappointed because I believe Eddy Curry CAN DO IT. If he puts in the effort like he does on the offensive side. WIth Zach, Eddy doesn’t have to expend all his energy on the offensive side every possesion, and he can use his body/energy on the defensive side. I’d like to see Eddy Curry go through this season with more defensive then offensive fouls.

That’s all…

BARF…yer not hitting on me…are you?

’cause you ain’t nowhere near as cute as RJ!

LGM, you keep explaining your thoughts more than using dry sarcasm and you may have found yourself a new hum_ping buddy. Put the blow up doll back in the closet, buddy!!! You can quit chaffing your lil’ man on that crusty build up. You got me now.

“WIth Zach, Eddy doesn’t have to expend all his energy on the offensive side every possesion, and he can use his body/energy on the defensive side”

Ain’t that the truth.

Now, in defense of Curry’s rebounding numbers, it may take him a while to get rebounds alongside Zach. I’ve already noticed Lee and Zach “bump heads”/”occupy the same space at the time” under the glass. Zach gobbles them up being the brute that he is. Lee and Zach on the same lineup is a great thing. Put them alongside Balkman and the energy on the boards is through the roof.

Curry has done well with boxing his man out. That’s something I’ve been looking at. Last year, I spent many a night here riddling Curry with insults and “how come”s and “why can’t he”s…but he starting to block out. I remember saying how he doesn’t have to be the second coming of Ben Wallace to make me happy as a center. How he didn’t need to be a Ewing clone. All he needs to do to make me happy is occupy the space that a many his size should be occupying. He doesn’t have to average 3 blocks, 11 rebounds a game. But if he can watch Jason Collins play D, box out, help d, occupy space, play with his hands above his waist…I’ll be happy.

What happened a lot last year was watching. He’d watch the ball while his man out hustled him to a spot. He’d watch the ball fall into someone else’s hands and by the time he reacted by jumping to the ball for a block, he was too late. It happened too much. And when Lee or Frye was on the court, he’d watch more. You can almost read his mind knowing that he expected those guys to rebound.

This year, it doesn’t look like its the case. Even in the preseason he looked more aware. Not effective so much, but his awareness is noticeable. The stats aren’t piling in, but his presence is more consistent. Taking that into consideration as a human being who appreciates a man’s evolution and as a Knick fan, I continue to be hopeful.

Rather than keep trying to make my post pass the filters, I will exercise patience and hope starburyfan pushes them through soon.

amen african.

fanatical hyperbole and exaggeration don’t violate any knickdefender laws…although it may agitate some of the more conservative knick fans’ sensibilities.

what I say to the conservative knick fans that don’t want to hear the curry-hopefuls who reside here? either skip the post or EXPLAIN yourself thoroughly.

but that provocative -the stats don’t prove the future- rhetoric is dull and only serves to degrade the quality of the conversation. obviously, the people here aren’t strangers to conflict, thus the saying “don’t start none, won’t be none”…

so lets leave it at that and try keeping the convo’s generally on basketball, the knicks and knicksdefense…

Yo African Hypocrite…

I said the Knicks were ‘lucky’ to win vs. Denver…not that it was ‘pure luck’.
I mentioned that Denver was injured…implying that helped us…espcially in the 4th, when they ran outta gas, and AI was off the floor w a bloody lip.

So stop twistin’ my words. Okay?

My point was that we can’t be expecting to have 4th quarters like that every night in order to win on our home floor vs. a team missing alot of live bodies.

The only demons I got, is being a loyal Knick fan the last several years.

I remember the run in 99, and its been pretty depressing ever since. Watchin’ Van Gundy slink outta down, getting all excited when Zeke came and snagged Marbury…I got my hopes up…and it’s been a bad dream ever since. I don’t mind struggling, I do mind being a laughing stock, and getting blown out on our home court, by weak teams like Boston…especially when I’m there paying serious scratch for a seat.

The NY MSM didn’t create that…they just feed off it. They were used to being a playoff contender with warriors like Ewing, Oakley and Starks. BTW…the NY MSM don’t give the Jets, Giants or Mets a pass either. The only team that gets a pass in this town is the Yanks…cause they have all those banners…and at least they make the playoffs every year.

The best thing to make my demons go away is the same one that will cure Zeke’s and maybe…MAYBE save his job this year…WINS.

By the way, HARLEM IN MD and BX IN MD, if you wnat to get together for the WIZARDS vs. KNICKS Game here in the captial city I cna make that Happen for FREE…let me kmnow as soon as you can and I can only hope I am in town during that game, but even if I am not, I WILL HOOK YOU TWO UP WITHOUT HESITATION. I WILL MAKE THAT CALL RIGHT NOW! Hit ya back in a SEC!

Keep it POPPIN!

O&B

“IMHO I think given Curry’s lack of seasoning after jumping straight to the pros from highschool, his dealings with a coach who is documented as being often abrasive with his bigs, the absence of a patient coach/team willing to develop Curry’s latent talent, and the young man’s heart trouble have all combined to slow our beloved Eddy Curry from reaching his full potential sooner.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Eddy Curry is the poster child of someone who should have gone to college, and played ball for a top teir program, and had a chance to develop some game and confidence. Jackie Butler…same mistake…only worse…cause he’s not getting a paycheck…

Scott Skiles doesn’t like lazy players. He’s the antithesis of that. A slow, short white guy who made it in the NBA by being a crazed bulldog, playing WAY over his talent level.

That’s why Tim Thomas never even stepped on his floor. That’s why he traded for Ben Wallace.

The time for koolaid guzzling is long over for this team under Zeke’s leadership. And my expectations are low… .500 and and eight seed.
The only way we get there is with work on the defensive end. That includes Eddy.