Knicks@Heat
January 19, 2008 – 2:02 pmFor those of us who were wondering how long the streak could last, our questions were answered last night: three games.
I have to admit something to my defenders this saturday afternoon. I missed the game. I was going to watch the game, but I accidentally locked us out of our house last night. Thirty degrees out, I was just answering the front door, and for some reason the door that I’ve been using for four years seemed to react differently to the air pressure in the room and shut behind me. We ended up playing Texas Holdem at my cousin’s house five blocks from here while we waited for Robin to arrive with the spare keys to save the day.
So tonight we’ll try again with one of the few teams with a worse record than the Knicks this season, the Miami Heat. Every additional second Jerome James plays is a new season high because let’s face it, since he came to the Knicks, he’s been one of the league’s most expensive bench ornaments.
Q found his touch from the looks of the box score. Good news for Q, bad news for Jeffries, Renaldo and Lee because Isiah will play Q, we should concede that by now regardless if we understand IT, or agree with IT.
We could still finish with a .500 record for the month of January if the knicks bounce back and do the right thing tonight against the Heat.
238 Responses to “Knicks@Heat”
I’m #1!!! This is like a dream come true. We take out the Heat and we’re right back on course.
By Jay Bee on Jan 19, 2008
REPOST! REPOST! REPOST!
Lives @ 210 (from the prior thread)
The distinctin between the Knicks victory over the Wizard and Detroit, who were at the tail end of 4 games in 5 nights, and our loss against the Wizards according to your theory of Crawford’s and Robinson’s exhuastion may be the following.
With regards to the Wizards, and Pistons the reduction in energy was team wide as a result of a scheduling scenario where the team played an intense schedule of games w/o sufficient rest to recharge the team personnel overal.
With regards to the reduced energy of Crawford and Nate, the team was still yet to play the tail end of 4 in 5, and the reduction in energy affected the gaurds mentioned as a result of a lack of competent, or at least serviceable, substitutions. I took that inference from your comment regarding Collins, and Jones, whose shortcomings you already made note of.
My suggestion would be that untill we can obtain a servicable gaurd, we could use Q at the 2 sort of as a form of apoxy glue. Lol I rhymed. But seriously, if Q’s shot is coming around, and is at least somewaht consistent, the Knicks could place him at the two, depending on his shooting that night, to provide some perimeter offense, and provide some additional rest to either Nate or Crawford. Likewise the same may be said about Jones, yes he is not as a dripple penetrating gaurd, yet has hit the three ball and can slash to the rack on occasion.
My suggestion will also allocate additional minutes to Jefferies, Balkman, maybe even Chandler if Thomas ever gives him his walking papers, at the three. Additionally Balkman at the three can relieve Crawford, and Nate of the responsibility of having to bring the ball up the court on every possesion.
I think I would consider the moves suggested above, sort of as a short term fix to our current gaurd line-up woes.
Sad to say your piece @ 210 almost makes it sound as if with Marbury the Knicks, currently, can’t live with him but they also can’t live w/o him b/c of the relief he provides the the Knicks gaurd rotation.
Throw me back your two cents on my proposal. Do you have any other suggestions for the interim?
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
We need this game…………
Go Knicks!
By D L T Knicks on Jan 19, 2008
As I suggested to Lives, I think Q and Jones ought to get more minutes at the 2 gaurd spot for the purpose of providing Nate and Craford with additional rest, which Lives suggest they’ll need to play effective come the 4th quarter. Also Balkman, if can some of Q’s minutes at the 3 while Q plays some 2, can bring the ball up the court as a point foward.
I’m thinking smoke and mirrors being that Lives made a strong point about how the additinol minutes that Crawford and Nate log w/o some sort of rest will work to the team’s detriment come the 4th quarter.
What’s the word around the defender bloggerspher?
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Yo DLT
Were you at the Wiz v. Knicks game last night?
I caught only the 2nd half and don’t believe I was able to catch the Force MDS.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
@B&B
Was there,section 115,row r,seats 13,14,wearing white Knicks caps.
There were many Knicks fans.You saw most of them around the Knicks tunnel,before the game, getting David Lee’s autograph.
Not sure if the T.V. shown it,but there also was a JJames showing.
Could not believe IT got loud Booos in D.C.also.
The support was there.And for the first half my new verizon center roommates were peaceful.
Then came Young and they came to life.
Note to Defenders:
The defense looks just as bad in person as it does on the tube.
Hurts to be in the visitors house and lose.
After the game,this young boy behind us(seeing our Knicks caps were still on) said,”I wouldn’t want to be a Knicks fan this time of the year”.
Couldn’t figure out how to punch him and protect the wife at the same time.
@Steady
Did not DNS/WD, she was there with me,supplying me the tissue.
By D L T Knicks on Jan 19, 2008
DLT
Good to hear you and yours had fun at the game.
Did our currently featured gaurds, Nate and Jamal, appear to tire at the end of the game, as Lives has suggested?
What did you think of my smoke and mirrors approach @ post # 4 in the event we can not obtain a gaurd to fill Marbury’s slot on the team?
Check you fellas out at game time.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
I’m out for this game guys. I’m taking the family out to a college game. Keep the scores and the commentary coming as the game is going on for those of us stuck on cell phone duty.
By Jay Bee on Jan 19, 2008
@B&B
It did seem like Crawford lost a step in the 2nd half.Both Q and N8 lost their shot also in the 3rd qtr.
The ideal thing to do is to get a pas-first point guard.
I love the way N8 has been playing(no homo),but he is not the answer for the first unit at the point.
N8 is better off the bench changing the tempo.
Balk should sub for Q,bring Q to the 2 spot,exit Jamal.
It seems IT is using Jamal more as a point,with Steph out.Whatever works.
We still need a trade for a point guard. I like Luke Ridnour from Seattle,good passer,40% fg,88% ft.
We need someone who can make a shot,but looks to pass first.
By D L T Knicks on Jan 19, 2008
Being traded to Knicks is a joke.
By D L T Knicks on Jan 19, 2008
Seems like a slow night tonight.
But gametime is about 30 minutes away.
DLT
LOL! Poor Barbosa was in tears over the prospect of being tradeed. Do you thinkg he would have been so teary eyed had the rumored trade been to the Celtics not the Knicks. There I see your point. But I hope one day being traded to the Knicks will be a cause for joy.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
I don’t think that being traded to the Knicks is the problem. I think how the Knicks are treated is the problem.
By Jay Bee on Jan 19, 2008
Artest a Piston? Even he thought that’s a bit far-fetched.
“I wouldn’t consider not playing here,” said Artest, who scored 18 points in the Kings’ 100-93 victory and blew kisses to the crowd after several baskets. The crowd booed him every time he had the ball. “But right now, I’m doing Sacramento. But it’s not something I’m opposed to, you know. That would be a hell of a first day if Ron Artest was in a Pistons jersey. That would be kind of crazy.”
I hope that doesn’t happen, the Knicks could really use Artest, the Pistons are good already as it is.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Jay Bee
Spoken like a true Defender!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
More Rumor Mill Scenarios involving the Heat with the Sonics, and the Celtics with the Clippers.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
O&B/B&B, I’ve been giving your proposal serious consideration — too bad I’m not Monty.
First of all that entire analysis is sweet man.
Second, I can’t come up with a better short term solution. The other solution is let Collins play his way into shape (not just physically)
There has got to be time when Nate and Craw are not on the floor together. Q is the answer, but Q also gets lazt with his passes. I think the Knicks do very well with that high low post passing which I mention because that would eliminate Q having to throw over his defender into the post.
I also do not like Nates passes to ZBo. They are never direct, he is always leading away from his body which means he is pulling him away from the basket and ZBo is usually bobbling the ball making what would have been a 15 foot move, an 18 foot attempt.
Anyway, not having a point gives Zeke too many decisions to make regarding the rotation. I will be watching carefully tonight. I hope his boys have some energy. At lease Shaq and the Heat will be tired to. I expect a low scoring or slow scoring affair.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Jan 19, 2008
Lives
Your feedback is appreciated. Let’s see what Monty does tonight.
Does he burn out Nate and Jamal or does he do the sensible thing.
I’ll chime in during the course of the game.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Nate and Crawford with the early minutes, Curry makes himself useless allowing Haslem to get uncontested rebounds.
I like Jefferies on Wade for now.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Wade is playing like he’s hurt! The knicks should not bye that bullshit!
He lulls you to sleep then explodes!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Curry don’t want it!!
Why sit Zach and not Curry?
Isiah is asking to be canned!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
I agree with your assesment of Wade. DOn’t let him lull you to sleep.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Also Wade has the patented NBA forcefield protecting him from defensive players
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Nate with a rushed shot that turns into a three ball by the heat and a 9 point lead to end the 1rst quarter.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
I’m disgusted with the Knicks effort tonight!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Nate is incredible!!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
Nice throw down by Nate on the bound!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
How can Curry have such butter fingers.
Nate set him up perfectly with Curry deep in the post.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
they’re tired.
By PaulNoize on Jan 19, 2008
Man that Nate Slam will be on every sports network!
Knicks have yet to make their run! We they do it’s over for
the Heat!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
I think I know why Lee’s defense in the post is weak.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Let me confirm with a little more video on Lee while he is on post defense.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Zach’s hustle for the bound draws a fould call our way.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Damn I whish Curry would fight on the boards like lil Nate and Z-Bo.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Curry with three fouls, bad call against him once he got the rebound.
Will we see snaks tonight?
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
I wish janet jackson will walk through my door.
that will probably happen before Curry fights for rebounds black and blue.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
Crawford is no where near Wade!!!
I don’t even know why that was a discussion on this blog.
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
This guy is killing us limping around the court.
Are you serious right now?
Bench Jamal now!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
Terrible sequence for the Knicks Crawford messes up a fast break and gets blocked Wade dunks on the other end.
Now the Heat appear more aggresive.
Last time we played the Heat they beat us and we went into a season long tail spin.
They lose tonight.
And I will conclude the 3 game win streak was a fluke.
No excuses
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Davonn that limp is bullshit! Thats Wade’s trademark!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Thing is that Wade will attack the hoop, and doesn’t settle for jumpers.
His scoring comes off of fouls shots and scoring in the paint.
That kind of scoring is steady.
Crawford is a streak shooter, who is stripped of the ball when he takes it inside b/c of his lack of significant bulk.
I’m really pissed off right now.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Deficit down from 9 to 5 at the end of the half.
Crawford has been pestered by White Chocolate, more like hacked and fouled, while handling PG duty near the end of the half.
The team is taking the ball to the paint more often and is not just settling for jumpers.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
The Knicks blew some easy baskets!
Lets see how much heart they have
this second half!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
4th game in 5 nights for us!
We don’t care about that shit!
We need a win!
Wade is gonna come out the 3rd gunning!
We have to stop him! Curry’s got three fouls,
James is good for 6!!!!! Hell, if he’s fouling Shaq,
thats our advantage!!!!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Peace
You think Monty is waiting to unload Snaxx on Shaq?
Jones and Jefferies were playing Wade pretty well.
I agree that Wade’s limp is just an act to goad the Knicks in sympathy, which their soft asses are apt to give.
Also we can’t leave there three shooters, white chocolate with wide open treys.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Agreed, B&B…Lets Ball Knicks!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Wade is overrated—watch Crawford light him up if he gets stupid!!!
And I read you DVJ.
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Heat up by 9 to start the half but Crawford’s at the line to cut it down to 7
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Riley is a smart man not allowing Wade to guard Crawford—now Williams going get it!!!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Curry is doign a shit job of gaurding Shaq.
He needs to front him.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Lil nate to the rack and draws the foul.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
JOnes also doing a decent job of slashing to the hoop.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Shaq gets called with the wrap around and has his 4th foul.
Curry needs to take it to him now.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Curry blocked Wade—showing how Garbage Wade is!!!
WHAT!!! get blocked by Curry!!!
BIG LOL!!!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Curry was getting hacked no calls and the heat take advantage and are up by 10
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
It doesn’t look good right now for the Knicks team looks lethargic.
Lee and Jefferies came in.
lets see how that goes.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Yo Anti
But the heat are up by 8.
I’m not saying the Knicks are supposed to kill the heat but we shouldn’t be so lethargic.
This same Heat team sent us into our duldrums.
I really want the Knicks to hit them back tonight.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
ck to 4 after shots from Nate and Crawford but they haven’t gotten under that
COrrection Nate draws us within 2
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Nate stupendous play!
Thanks Clyde, 65-67 Miami lead
44 seconds left on third
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Heat Blount bring the Heat back up by 4
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Heat up by 4
Heat 69
Knicks 65
Prediction
Heat 99
Knicks 81
LOL!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
12 minutes of truth! Have we turned the corner! YES!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Lee can’t hit that fundamental jumper to save his life.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Crawford blow Wade like he’s not there!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
blow by
my bad
lol
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Like lives says Nate is playing helter skelter.
He might need a blow.
Why haven’t Crawford or Nate gotten a blow.
Right we have no other person who can do a decent PG impersonation.
Yeesh!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Nate is a point guard waiting to thrive!
Good D Jeffries!!!!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
An Osama Bin Jefferies Sighting!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Phantom loose ball foul on Lee
NBA ya’ll know whats good.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Wade with the Benefit of the NBA David Stern Force Field.
WIll go to the line.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Randolph with a two handed dunk of a miscue by Shaq.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Sit Randolph down now—before it’s too late!!!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Hey the Heat ended a losing streak against us at the begining of the season.
Were slightly past the 1/3 mark, maybe the Heat will stop another losing streak against the Knicks again.
The Knicks may be the Heat’s elixir for a loosing streak.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Randolph errant jumpshots is killing us late in the game!!!
Just like last night!!!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Anti
You think Z-Bo is forcing the action, or just settling for the Jumper.
I say settling for the jumper.
Passing is not as good tonight as it was during our short stint of success.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
I’m nauseaus
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Crawford for three!!!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Terrible pass from Randolph to Jefferies.
Knicks down by 2
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Stupid pass by Lee
300 minutes
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Seattle connection taking charge
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
The game is tied.
Lets see what happens.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
We can’t lose tonight fellas!!!
We just cannot lose tonight!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
Man, I’m Nervous as hell! Lets go Knicks!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Crawford stole a pass in the lane passed to Nate
then Nate with layup
thus the Seattle Connection
Thanks, Clyde!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
I’m sure with the way the Heat has played the Knicks in their two games against the Knicks, the Heat would love to play the Knicks every night.
We are playing the Heat like the Nets play us.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Nervous and nauseaus man!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Dude I’m biting my knuckles.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
I’m gonna puke
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zach always brings the icing!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
Knicks up by four after Z-Bo drains a jumper.
BUT
This game is still too close to call, and the Heat have plenty of time to make me wanna puke!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
This is ours! Keep Curry on the Bench! If Shaq gets it foul the
hell out of him! Take our chances at the line!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Don’t forget this is our fourth game in five nights!!!!!!
NO EXCUSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
I have no finger nails left tonight
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Finally Randolph made a clutch jumper!
7 assist for Craw
Nate’s hot too!
a minute left
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Heat have the ball still.
Dwayne cuts the deficit to 2
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Nice shot by Wade Knicks up 2
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Inbound to Crawford!!!!!!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Crawford failed to put the dagger!!!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
HEat foul have one to give.
I hope we don’t throw one of those patented inbounds that the other team takes clear to the rack against us.
I’ve seen them one too many times.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Crawford to the Line
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
J Craw hits the two back up by 4
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
WHEW!!!!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Our new leader Jamal with ice in his vains!!!
Nice!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
“You Can’t Guard Me” Behind the Line.
Clutch Free Throws from him!!!
Of course!!!
Talking about Jamal here!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Plenty of time still for the Heat to use the hack and slow the clock approach.
Knicks still very far from the clear!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Heat hit a three down by one.
13 and change seconds wise to stay in the game.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Again I’ll say it…..
Our new leader Jamal with ice in his vains!!!
Nice!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
Who’s that little Kid with that Three?
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Jamal makes clutch free throws like Lupica writes trash—perfect!!!!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
In honor of Vic Corbitt, We got this. Fortunately Miami is playing for the Mega. Just bloggin.
KFLL
By Steady on Jan 19, 2008
Oh this feels nice.
I fucking hate the Heat!
I’m glad we hit them back.
Nice gritty performance by our Orange and Blue.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Wade for a three—
dont make me laugh!!!
23% Wade three point shooter.
Modi u reading this?
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
So what are we now?
I think we are 7-10 without Marbury right?
Big game Monday afternoon!!!!!
The countdown is on.
Giants tomorrow and then we get NBC primetime on Monday against “the best team in the league”.
GREAT WIN TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 19, 2008
Davonn?
Thats the first time you said that Bruh! LOL
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Yeah
Miami hits the lottery.
I hope they loose it. I really hate the Heat, I remember that brawl that tanked out chances at the title.
Fuck the Heat Fuck the Heat Fuck greasy ass Pat Riley. Fuck Wade, with his fake as gimpy leg
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
The Knicks better have that prime time humiliation the Celtics handed us in the back of our mind.
They better play hard on Monday for MLK and for there own pride.
Go NY Go NY Go!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
Next teh C’s the team that made us look like a national laughing stock.
Represent NY!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
@ PaulNoize,
We are better than our record! Marburyless and winners of the Last 4 out of 5, after
4 games in 5 nights! This is a Knick team that has turned the corner!
Lets GO HELL BENT @ BOSTON IN OUR HOUSE!!!!!!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Boston going to get theirs big time in New York!!!
Watch—U best to believe that!!!!
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
This win against the Heat was especially sweet b/c their the team that was at the start of our downward spiral.
A win against the Celtics would be Icing on the cake since that team took our heart from us on national TV.
The Knicks better come out like gangbusters, and not hold anything back.
I don’t care if we have to injure one of their big three by send Snaxx to do the dirty work, I don’t want the Cetltics waltzing into MSG and taking a dump on the Orange and Blue.
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
True dat, Black and Blue!!!
I agree 100%
By Anti-NYSportsNews on Jan 19, 2008
Anti
I’m revved up and can’t wait till the Knicks show down with Boston.
I’m audi for the night.
Great night and good night!
By Black and Blue on Jan 19, 2008
LOL @ 67 through 69. Thanks B&B. You guys were great tonight. Take a bow. Thanks for keeping those of us that couldn’t be here in the game. Near the end of the game I was yelling out “Yes!!” at my cell phone with people looking at me like “what’s wrong with that guy?”
We’ve got something special here.
Thanks KD
LGK!!! Kickazz Monday is right around the corner. I’ll be there good and early for the pregame.
By Jay Bee on Jan 19, 2008
This was a great win. We’re tired but we gutted it out in the end sounds like. We’ll take it. Come here Philadelphia. Here kitty kitty.
By Jay Bee on Jan 19, 2008
The Seattle connection is not gonna let Boston bully us in our house!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
Nate is the brother from another planet!
His game has matured beyond any and all off the bench this year!
Imagine Nate and Lee fighting it out for 6th man of the year?
CRAWFORD SHOULD BE THE NBA PLAYER OF THE WEEK!!!!!!!
By Peaceman on Jan 19, 2008
@ #114 … i 2nd that emotion … i love it when the heat gets beat … riley sucks.
By Syd on Jan 19, 2008
Great Game. Isiah wanted to put the hammer down in teh 4th. He’s guys were cruisin’ until then, but they weren’t quite able to do it. very enjoyable. Fred Jones and Jared Jeffries were very useful. Give Zeke credit for figuring it out because no one would have been generous enough to suggest that his team was tired after 4 games in five days like they were so kind to Detroit and Washington. The Knicks just don’t get those kind of breaks and considerations.
I also like that Zeke had the balls to leave ZBo, Curry and QRich on the bench. Cool. Three cheers for the energy unit. Now they’re getting on the floor more often, not just to clean up the 10+ point DDD mess left by the starters. Cool.
I like Pat Riley but I don’t feel bad for him. He’s winner and if he wants, he will be a winner again. He is flushed but he is coaching his azz off with those young, no-name guys. I still don’t understand why he got RIcky Davis. I remember when I made a crack about it,a Defender or two were giving RIcky all types of praise. Who would you rahter have, Ricky Davis or Kapono. Please.
Check out this assignment. Draw an imaginary line from the Knick Player who remindes you of the fictitious character in column B.
Column A Column B
Eddie Curry Barney Fife
Renaldo Balkman J. Wellington Wimpy (”gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today”)
Nate Robinson Baby Huey
Jared Jeffries Energizer Bunny
Isiah Thomas Tazmanian Devil
Jerome James Elmer Fudd
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Jan 19, 2008
Column……………………………. A Column B
Eddie Curry ………………………..Barney Fife
Renaldo Balkman …………………….J. Wellington Wimpy (”gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today”)
Nate Robinson ………………………Baby Huey
Jared Jeffries…………………….. Energizer Bunny
Isiah Thomas………………………..Tazmanian Devil
Jerome James………………………..Elmer Fudd
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Jan 19, 2008
Let me tell you something right now!!!!!!
If or should I say when we beat Boston on Monday….2 very important questions will be answered.
1. Have we turned the corner? Yes
2. Are we a better team without Marbury? Yes
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 20, 2008
I don’t know if Isiah can start Zach and Curry against KG and Perkins.
If he does, he may have to bring in Lee early.
Look for Jeffries, Balkman and Jones to get some burn this next game.
We need defenders….
Also look to see if Jamal gets exposed off the dribble by Rondo.
Those are key if we are going to win on Monday.
This will really tell us alot about where we are as a team.
If we win…the house will come down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 20, 2008
DVJ
I’m hoping we whoop them, I don’t care if it’s by 1 point or 10.
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Eddy Curry = Baby Huey
Renaldo Balkman = The Tazmanian Devil
Nate Robinson = The Energizer Bunny
Though I prefer the following avatars, Mighty Mouse, Speedy Gonzalez, and The Tick.
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Jerome James = J Wellington Wimpy
Jared Jefferies = Barney Fife
Although a better cartoon avatar might be the following. Yet when he has the beard going maybe this one.Elmer Fudd
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Oh of course
Isiah Thomas = Elmer Fudd
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
No Peace, we just think we are. Six straight losing seasons plus our current record trumps this week-long optimism brah. NYC grit scars up dem rosy glasses right quick nah’mean?
However, our record includes a nice win tonight against a bottom-feeding Miami team that deserves to get kicked in the teeth while they’re squirming in the gutter. Eff those cats. And while i am busy being the bad guy - good riddance to Alonzo Mourning. He is blessed many times over with his health, his ring & his money…..let him ride off into the sunset and cause us no more heartache. JVG still has shoulder pains on a rainy day thanks to Zo. =(
Excellent job by Jamal icing the game. As Lives points out, he & Nate are bearing a heavy load now, i dunno that Luke Ridnour is gonna be an answer, y’all know Zeke don’t care ’bout dem white people! i was kinda hoping Zeke could draw Mighty Mouse here since he’s being bought out in Memphis, but it looks like Damon is heading to Phoenix or Boston.
DLee is different……i know he got some Cherokee in him, can’t be all devil.
Celtics up next - nothing to lose, there. We’re expected to lose, and lose big. If we can stay competitive, maybe we can send a message - just in case there is an 8/1 playoff matchup in our immediate future. Celts are weak on the glass, this can be exploited…..a steady helping of Zach and Lee will control the boards. Zeke - please DO NOT play zone off of Ray Allen, Jesus will kill us from long distance….we need to get up & stay up in their shirts, if we give up layups on dribble penetration so be it. i think we’re gonna give Gang Green a tough time on Monday, LGK!
By PaulNoize on Jan 20, 2008
OH MY GOD, #132 to 134 was so freakin’ funny. LMAOOOOOOOOOO, like in Peaceman-funny proportions. The characters really do match. Nate is a hard one. Those are some good alternatives. I really like Speedy Gonzalez. I couldn’t figure out matches for Malik Rose (”the scholar thing got in the way”), Jamal (”How do you top the “JCraw/Jcrawful” split performanality?”), ZBO (there’s gotta be a good one out there. He is so, so cartoonish), David Lee (Fred Flintstone in the Quarry with a lunch pail maybe?), and Mardy Collins. O&B, you advanced my little notes to higher levels yesterday. Thanks.
_______________________________
DVJ, I really don’t want to be a downer, so I won’t give a prediction for Monday’s “I Have A Dream” Game, because it would be nightmarish. But I will say, that I think the good times are too new and the Knicks are too deficient for Zeke to be ready to handle Boston. That starting line-up is a killer for us. I mean ours, not Boston’s. Curry look awful. He is just flippin’ and tossin’ the ball at the basket like he’s playing the Grand Prize game with Bozo and Mr. Ned. And the way he does it there are no chances for rebounds. (Although, I gotta say that the refs are killing him too. The rogue refs hate big guys — in the NBA big guys are supposed to be punching bags subject to the “Tickle-Me-With-Elbow” defense.) If Curry is of any use, we can give Boston a run for theie pot of GOld.
The other problem is that Rondo was so raw at teh beginning of the year, but so open to being shaped to be the right driver for the Celtics’ Bus. He has got to be stopped. JCraw can’t (or won’t) do it. Nate and Jones probably can for a little bit.
We really don’t need to be a jump shooting team against Boston. Can anybody make Allen work harder on defense. Paul is a hack, he likes to reach on players driving to the basket. Can we get a foul or four on him.
Well, I don’t believe we will be slaughtered like the last game because our problem then was lack of effort. I think those days are gone.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
DVJ, I don’t think the Knicks are a better team without Marbury, but they sure as hell play better without him. I don’t feel like explaining that nuanced statement, but I know you know more than enough to decipher that conundrum.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
None of us have mentioned how wonderful it is that the Knicks started using their fouls to cut down on scoring in the hole. Do you think tha is a result of Nate being the only one, at one point, to challenge every layup, dunk and shot within three feet? The hole belongs to the defense, so foul anybody coming in for a freebee. That’s called caring.
Effort is good, but they’ll need more than that for this next four game stretch. The matchups are not in the Knicks favor at all. The Knicks can handle Philly with a real aggressive inside game. Plus Philly really hurt itself by trading Korver. But that Golden State and Kobyashi game. . . . BARF has the absolute best analysis of GS since that is his #2 team. As he tells us three days before every Baron Davis encounter, we don’t have the horses to play GS evenly in their game. . . . No Bynum to go with that Kobe, so we may catch a break there with some mean doubleteaming. . . . However we have Utah the next night and expect the Kobe-Chasers (unless they are Taz and Barney Fife) to be very tired in the fourth quarter. Otherwise we match up really well with Sloan’s squad and should beat them on a normal night. . . I guess the bottom line is that we can play about 500 ball over the next 11 and better if we can beat Boston (at least once), Philly, Portland and San Antonio.
Last point. WE NEED A POINT. At least to sub our heroes out. Last year when certain posters were focusing on whether Lee should start instead of the large volume of minutes played, I warned that Lee was being overused especially since he had never played that much in a season. I am afraid for Jamal because his game puts so much stress on his body. Do any of you medical guys think he might have problems with his ankle again late in the season? WE NEED A POINT GUARD and I would take Stephon if he talked like he could figure out how to play coming off the bench. (Recall he said something about how he couldn’t make that transition because he is a starter. Also Steph is not going anywhere unless Zeke can get an equivalent ( a large contract coming off the books)in return. He, Mills and Dolan want that cap space.
__________________________________
O’k, not the last point, but a point that I think Modi can handle much better than me. We already know that much of the MSM is just plain dumb. But I think they go beyond dumb when they start to get on Monty about this “sudden” talk of fiscal responsibility. The ones that know anything know that Marbury’s contract now presents some opportunity for an upgrade and some manuverability in the market in a year or two. Zeke the GM knew this time was coming and has been planning for it. Marbury was telegraphing the strategy when he talked about going to Italy during the summer. It was clear by his comments and the slight response form MSG that Marbury’s contract is very, very useful especially since we could use some cap space to pick up a super-dooper star.
Later enjoy the day-after-winning.
Peace.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Jan 20, 2008
The Knicks are 5 1/2 games out of the 8th spote and 6 1/2 games out of the 7th spot with 42 games remaining. The Knicks should not give up. This is a movement, not a monument.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Jan 20, 2008
Google Alert - new york knicks Sun 1/20/2008 4:29 AM
NBA Roundup: Knicks keep Riley, Heat reeling; Yao helps Rockets …
Skid hits 13 with loss to Knicks
A Giant Impact
Jamal Crawford: Superstar in Training
Knicks hand reeling Heat unlucky 13th loss
Crawford, Knicks send Heat to unlucky No. 13
New York 88 Miami 84
By Syd on Jan 20, 2008
On Jamal Crawford from article in #138 (See Jamal Crawford: A Superstar In Training)
“He may not be a true point but that may be his best position,” said Thomas after suffering a setback against the Wizards on Friday night. “We always looked at him as a scoring guard, but the success that he’s having with the basketball in his hands, we may have to rethink that. If he keeps scoring like this - scoring, distributing, defending - this may be his position.”
Jamal has clearly taken over the reins from Marbury in the new year. In the month of January, he’s averaging 21.2 points on 48% shooting from the field, five assists, three rebounds and 42 minutes per game. The Knicks have come to rely on him more and more and now he is the player responsible for being their floor general.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Jan 20, 2008
Lives,
Not only will we not give up, we may even move up to 6th seed!
A 5th seed is not impossible either! 42 games is plenty of time
for a slump to hit the 4th seed WIZ 21-17, or the 5th seed Cavs 21-18
0r the 6th seed Raptors 22-19 and 7th seed ATL 17-19 and 8th seed Nets
at 18-21. The Nets are done. We’ve played our worst and that’s behind us.
Our slump is over, we just need to bring it every game!!!!!
And we will!
By Peaceman on Jan 20, 2008
jamal = two face?
at the risk of sounding a bit like af-the-pink-eyed-prophet (where he be these days?), i floated the idea of crawford being the point waay back on october 23 and it didn’t get much play (the dnice wars began that day
). i backed off the idear myself once i looked a lil harder at that career shootin percentage. but the tandem/platoon we have between crawford and n8 is the best we’ve got right now.
ridnour would be good in a pinch. if memory serves, he don’t defend that great and he hated coming off the bench in battling for PT against earl watson, but wottawecare.
i have no idea why i’m feelin so giddy lately, but i’m startin to believe lives when he say we gots a shot. 5.5 games out of a playoff spot at this point in the year, when we’ve seen the best of what the teams ahead of us can do, is not insurmountable. we’d have to maintain a .500 pace for the balance of the season to do it but that’s not utter crazytalk. since the win-total this year is going to be in the crapper, it’d be nice to hold a playoff spot, even if the knicks get run outta dodge with a vengeance, will be some vindication for the team and zeke could then leave town (or take that consulting gig upstairs) with head held high.
i’m not going to so far as to say i’m expecting this to happen, or even that it’s likely to happen, but this is not an unreasonable scenario. this is very doable. LET’S GO FRIGGIN KNICKS!!
By Charles Follymacher on Jan 20, 2008
Just Bloggin
I feel an ill wind
The dark lord of the Sith, the master machievelian, whose home offices are in the NYC has laid out the following plot to further bury the Knicks.
He who writes the gamut of scripts to promote his stars and weaves the stories that BSPN runs with has summoned the Nothing But Actors (N.B.A) screenwriters/directors guild aka the Referati or Officiarati to sink the Knicks live on national TV.
Why will this happen?
Because the Sith Lord disguised a an impartial commisioner- Palpatine- does not like it when one of the franchises under HIS LEAGUE does not bow to his request– Just remember Stern is the ultimate ego maniac/control freak.
As with the Knick’s live and nationally televised game on TNT, the Knicks will again be Blown out by Stern’s Darling the “New Look” Boston Celtics.
This time however, the script executed by the Officiarati will permit the Knicks the saving grace of a competitive game for about 3 quarters.
Then the NBA styled superstar protective forcefield will kick in to benefit Stern’s darling the Boston Celtics.
Pierces reaching in on the Knicks will no longer be fould– THEY WILL BE STEALS
Blocking fouls favoring the Knicks will cease to be called– THEY WILL BE CHARGING FOULS FAVORING THE CELTICS
That and among many other misfortunes will afflict the Knicks.
Just as day turns into night the referati will execute the predetermined script against the Orange and Blue.
By extension, a man who has benefited from MLKs efforts, and has risen in the NBA as a GM and Coach where there is a dearth of Black GMs, will be made to look like a laughing stock.
Boston who benefited fromt the “old boy” network to land Artest, with little ire on Mcfail for that treachory will have their praises sung.
Some taseless “fans” at the garden will start the fire Isiah chants on MLK day.
The Sith emporor of the N.B.A will laugh and snicker at the franchise that dared to not comply with his autocratic mandate and the Knicks humiliation on national television will be complete.
Again Just Bloggin
By Cloak n Daggers on Jan 20, 2008
“amal has clearly taken over the reins from Marbury in the new year. In the month of January, he’s averaging 21.2 points on 48% shooting from the field, five assists, three rebounds and 42 minutes per game. The Knicks have come to rely on him more and more and now he is the player responsible for being their floor general.”
The 48% shooting is what I’m most impressed with, considering that’s what his critics seems to harp on the most.
I understand water usually seeks it’s own level. That said, I see his shooting percentage leveling out to a respectable 45-46%.
Add to that his ever-increasing playmaking/leadership abilities, and you’ll soon see they’ll be no denying this kid.
He’s becoming the new face of the Knicks.
Not Curry.
Jamal can handle the responsibility. The later clearly cannot.
He works best in a support roll.
By Bronxboy in Md on Jan 20, 2008
Re: #135 - LOL @ …Jesus will kill us from long distance. Great points, but give the guys some credit for the consistently improved play of late.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
My apologies
I meant the old boy network of McFail and Ainge who obtained Garnett for garbage, w/o a any real ire from BSPN!
By Cloak n Daggers on Jan 20, 2008
From the Akron Beacon Journal in Ohio
Cavs are eyeballing Jamal Crawford.
“•?There have been some reports out of New York that the Cavs have had some trade talks with the Knicks over a Jamal Crawford-for-Larry Hughes swap. Sources said the Cavs have, indeed, made such proposals to the Knicks, but right now Knicks team president Isiah Thomas is turning down all trade offers coming from anywhere, much to the surprise of some in the league. Plus Thomas said he plans on using Crawford more at point guard with Stephon Marbury out for the season with an ankle injury.”
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
From the Akron Beacon Journal in Ohio
Cavs are eyeballing Jamal Crawford.
“•?There have been some reports out of New York that the Cavs have had some trade talks with the Knicks over a Jamal Crawford-for-Larry Hughes swap. Sources said the Cavs have, indeed, made such proposals to the Knicks, but right now Knicks team president Isiah Thomas is turning down all trade offers coming from anywhere, much to the surprise of some in the league. Plus Thomas said he plans on using Crawford more at point guard with Stephon Marbury out for the season with an ankle injury.”
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
WE ARE PLAYING WITHOUT ANY DARK CLOUDS OVER OUR HEADS!!
I told you….
Once we remove the poison from the team….we would see a difference.
I’m happy it’s a positive difference and we should continue to flourish!!!!!!
The Seattle connection is serious.
Yes we are a better team without Marbury.
We have all the pieces, we just needed a general out there.
I’m sure everybody here that’s played some kind of ball knows the PG
is supposed to be the extension of the coachout there on the floor.
Who better than to have Jamal be that extension.
Larry Hughes for Crawford???? LMAO
Nate isn’t going anywhere either.
Neither is Shallow Water!!!
We just may be on to something here.
Man I can’t wait until tomorrow….
23 hours and 10 minutes left!!!!!!!!!!!!
By DaVonn Jefferson on Jan 20, 2008
@ B&B, post 147…
We discussed that a couple of days ago in here. The Knicks would be FOOLS to make that trade. Zeke would never do that.
By Bronxboy in Md on Jan 20, 2008
Good PM Defenders!
Last night OUR KNICKS showed plenty of grit and heart to secure a win that could have easily gone to the beleaguered Heat. One more step forward in OUR Movement…
Quick Analysis: N8 is playing great and with so much heart, despite some errand jacks, he is fine-tuning his game and growing up right before our very eyes. If he continues to attack the basket with BBALL Guile and commits to driving and dishing it will help to break down the opposings team’s D and open up the floor for JCRAW and ZBO to shoot more uncontested shots, possibly get ECITY easier looks at the basket, and allow him to get to rim and line more often as well; JJEFF when signed a year ago was called a GLUE TYPE of Playa; he is committed to doing all of the dirty work and provide effective and efficient D and play from multiple positions. Finally healthy, we can see why he was given that HANDLE (he is playing very well); JCRAW has been A REAL PLAYA this month and the Stats, his play, and his on/off the court leadership has been on display; Lastly, if anyone has checked the NBA boxscores for the past week, THE CANCER ZBO (it must be his astrological sign) has averaged more assists than any other PF in the league this week (with the exception of the Magic Tandem of Lewis and Turkoglu, and neither are legitimate PF’S; check it out), plus we’ve counted on his DD every night; and OUR other effort guys (DLEE-FJONES-BALKMAN) have contributed the required energy a second unit should even if their Stats have been up and down, their energy has been a constant during this streak.
Lastly, I would repost #225 on the last THREAD to provoke some thought on the significance this Holiday Weekend and its resounding themes and life practices, but I will not because it is really not about the fact that I wrote it, it is about the FOUNTAIN that created the INSPIRATION, and its daily presence in our respective lives…Whether anyone decides to back track and read it is not important, but that a GOOD SEED was planted on this Blog is the real example KNICKDEFENSE’S impact on the lives of so many that post here and PEEP in on the regular to examine OUR BBALL KNOWLEDGE….Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and those that visit to extrapolate OUR DATA, respect and admire our PASSION, OUR INTELLECT,and OUR COLLECTIVE SPIRITS AND FELLOWSHIP…These attributes are the WATER to that SEED
Have blessed Sunday Defenders!
Go Giants Go Giants Go Giants Go Giants Go Giants Go Giants Go Giants
Keep it POPPIN!
By cooleyhigh on Jan 20, 2008
BronxboyinMD
I here you about how silly the Cavs trade proposal is.
I certainly agree that the Knicks organization would be foolish to trade a player like Jamal who is on the cusp of something good for the team and the city, for a player that is not at that point yet.
Why I put that post up from the Akron Beacon is just to show the Defender community that there is genuine interest in players from our Knicks.
The way I see it, when that article, sounded surprised that Thomas rejected the trade proposal, it’s as if other Teams/organizations are taking the Knicks franchise for dim witted fools.
That sentiment echoed further with me when Chad Ford was talking about us getting all sorts of garbage players in return for trading our assets.
Why do I say this?
Well my understanding is that as long as Isiah (Zeke/Fudd/Monty whatever suits you best) is here and GMing the organization he will stand by his mandate of not demolishing the team to rebuild. Add to it that there are solid players on the team that with more playtime and development should flourish then that leads me to the reasonable conclusion that the league and the reporters covering see the team as a Banana Republic sort of franchise that is to do what is told and heed the advice given regardless if it fits the teams actual circumstances.
I say fuck that! If or when Zeke steps down or is axed and a new GM comes in with a different mandate then the discussion of trading quality, albeit some overpaid and some still developing, for garbage can be entertained by those who are paid to speculate and advocate.
Right now we fight!
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Lives
I thought you would enjoy that pictographic representation of the Knicks Players. It is after all you who proposed it as a quiz to the Defender community.
I have a question.
I see that my smoke and mirrors suggestion was well recieved by you. I also note that you have been bandying about Luke Ridnour of the Seattle Sonics as a possible PG we ought to try to obtain to fill the vacancy left by Marbury’s recent visit to the injury shelf.
How do you suggest the Knicks go about getting Ridnour?
Are there alternatives to Ridnour?
Iv’e heard the name of Damon Stoudamire mentioned, specifically that he will be bought out by the Grizzlies.
However, he might be on Boston’s radar screen. Also Sam Cassel, maybe asking for a buy out but would likely seek to join a bonafide contender.
I know DVJ’s opinion is that the injury exception will likely not be granted to us by Stern- although I think if the rule provides for the exception in our instance it should be granted.
What do you think is our likelyhood of obtaining an injury exception to secure a pg or perhaps former Mavericks, and Warriors Center Mbenga? he plays harder than Curry on the defensive end.
Any feedback here?
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Just an Idea,
We play some Zone right? H20 can’t guard anyone Man to Man, right?
Maybe that fact will give H2O a shot at 10-12 minutes a game???
You Know if we are in a tight half court game, NO ONE can double Craw, Nate, Curry or Zach if H20
is anywhere on the perimeter! Just blogging!
By Peaceman on Jan 20, 2008
OH SNAP GUYS, From Real GM;
RON ARTEST STATED YESTERDAY THAT YOU COULD BET THE HOUSE
THAT HE WILL OPT OUT OF HIS CONTRACT NEXT YEAR!!!!
THAT MEANS PACK YOUR BAGS Q or the SCHOLAR with Morris or Chandler!
The Kings now have to take anything we give them or they get nothing!!!!
Wouldn’t it be something to see ARTEST in a KNICK UNIFORM as early as tomorrow??????
I’M PRAYING!!! CHECK out Real GM Guys, Please! Tell me, isn’t what Artest just stated
” Trade Me to NY Now” in different words???? What do you guys think????????
DVJ, WHAT DO YOU THINK???????
By Peaceman on Jan 20, 2008
…something to think about. We are 9 games out of 4th place in the East. We will need our neighbors to continue to help us out by losing while we win. So who’s in front of us? Note: This is not intended to be a complete breakdown of the teams ahead of us; merely an assessment of where our help will be coming from. It is written with a slightly homer slant so please forgive the lack of objectivity in some cases.
Philadelphia (16-25)
===============
Was starting to jell for Coach Cheeks, until new GM Stepanski traded Kyle Korver to Utah for a eurobum and a lowish first round pick. Philly responded by going on to lose 8 of their next 10 games. As Stepanski continues to dismantle the present for the future, I expect these guys to start worrying about where they will be come trade deadline time rather than who they should be picking up in zone coverage.
Upcoming games: Celtics, Raptors, Pacers, Pistons, at Knicks, at Bobcats, Bucks, Magic, at Hawks, Wizards.
The Philly Tankfest 2007 should begin in about 5.4.3.2…
Charlotte (16-24)
===============
The Nazr Mohammed trade was big for them because it gave them depth where they were really vulnerable. What can I say? I like their team. I can’t hate on them. They play hard and have some ballers on their squad. Gerald Wallace is a great two-way guy and Jason Richardson was an excellent pick up. Matt Carroll is becoming pretty consistent as a mad bomber although I haven’t seen him play much D to know if he’s an effective defender. There is offensive and defensive balance on this team however. I see this team in the playoffs.
Their upcoming schedule is tough but they could go between .400 (8 wins) and .500 (10 wins) through it: at Hornets, Grizzlies, Spurs, Mavericks, at Bulls, 76ers, at Clippers, at Kings, at Warriors, at Nuggets, at Suns, Nets, at Pistons, Lakers, Hawks, at Spurs, Kings, at Wizards, at Knicks, at Celtics.
Some winnable games in there but for the most part that is a pretty rough stretch. About 12 of those 20 teams are against the best teams in the league. And 12 of those 20, not the same 12, will be on the road.
Milwaukee (16-24)
==============
Starting the season as a .500 team, the Bucks came down to earth in December with a 4-16 win showing that should be forgotten. Yi is the new NBA darling as they try to solidify their relationship with China and it’s BILLIONS of viewers. Something to think about as you will be seeing more of Milwaukee’s games in the future and I’m sure there will be plenty of Dwayne Wadeish phantom fouls to follow. However, the team has not learned how to exploit the officials and their biases and have not really relied on Yi as much as their guards Redd and Williams. They are winning again at a .500 clip so far in January and as long as they play Philadelphia, Charlotte and Atlanta they should be o.k. However, they will not be playing those teams. I have a feeling they are going to help us out.
Upcoming games for the Bucks: Phoenix, Indiana, @Toronto, Washington, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Houston, Memphis, Dallas, Knicks, Clippers, New Orleans, Detroit, @Detroit, Denver, Cleveland and New Jersey.
Their next few weeks should be brutal. Try not to read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel anytime soon. They may start printing cuss words in the sports section.
Chicago (16-23)
==============
I don’t get it. They’ve got all the pieces. Two pretty high first rounders from us, solid guards in Hinrich and Gordon. The 60 million dollar man in Ben Wallace. They just lack chemistry. May they continue to burn so that Paxon can feel some of the heat that Isiah has felt. I can’t say that I’m confident they’ll be in the playoff picture, but I think this will be one of the 8 teams we’re fighting with for those final five spots.
Upcoming games through the end of February: @Memphis, Indiana, Charlotte, Phoenix, Minnesota, @Minnesota, @Sacramento, @Seattle, @Portland, @Golden State, @Utah, New Orleans, Miami, @New Jersey, Denver, @Houston, @Dallas, @Indiana, and Washington.
They’ve got a couple of gimmes in there with Memphis, Minnesota, Seattle and Miami but everything else, they’re going to have to battle. They also have a six game and a three game road trip mixed in there.
Indiana (18-23)
===============
Murphy and Dunleavy, candidate #1 and #2 respectively for the Pippen-Rodman award for the ugliest man in the NBA have raised their stock with their better play this year. Turns out that Rick Carlisle is a bum and never has been a “leader of men”. Jim O’Brien following in that trend is alienating pg Jamaal Tinsley placing him on inactive status after telling him to go home a few days this week. The official story is that JT has a sore left knee but they pulled a Steve McNair on him telling him not to come to practice or the game on last Wed. after he showed up for practice. Why would he show up if he was injured? “N.B.A. or a trade perhaps?” Having lost 5 of their last 7, they should’ve traded Murphy or Dunleavy while they could’ve. Now their defensive liabilities are being exposed due to Jermaine O’Neal being out for the next two weeks with a knee injury. Diener is running the show now. Looking forward to watching them implode the rest of the way. I like Granger though.
Upcoming games through the end of February: @Philadelphia, @Chicago, @Milwaukee, @Miami, Detroit, Houston, Orlando, San Antonio, @New York, Portland, Boston, @Detroit, Cleveland, New Jersey, @New Jersey, Toronto, Chicago and @Toronto
Fairly easy road four-game road trip to start with made more difficult by JO’Neal being out. Followed by Detroit and the Texas Swing a trip to the Gardens and the toughest teams in the Atlantic. Indiana may be in a giving mood and may lose a bunch of those games IMO.
COMING SOON the next five in our way: New Jersey, Toronto, Atlanta, Cleveland and Washington
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
Something else to think about. It may or may not be causal, maybe it’s just coincidence, but we started playing better when Jerome James was declared eligible to practice. Maybe Eddy banging against someone his own size helped him get better instead of going against Scholar and the No-timer Randolph Morris. Could it be that JJonah is the most expensive practice squad player of all time? If he can make Eddy better, I’ll take it. He can be like our version of Larry Holmes to Muhammad Ali. Eddy has been attempting more defense lately. Not enough, but definitely more than he had been giving us.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
Great post Jay Bee
I’ve hear about Tinsley and the prospect that he made be on the trading blocks.
Being that we have a legitimate need for a pg, do you think we have a shot at getting him (MHO No!), if so what would we have to give to get (probrably someone we don’t want to part with)?
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Just when you thought all was alright in Knickland and chemistry was developing the Zach Randolph to Milwauke for garbage trade scenario shows its ugly head yet again.
“Although concerns about Zach Randolph’s off-court baggage — and whether there’s sufficient room in the Bucks’ frontcourt for Randolph and Andrew Bogut — led the Bucks to reject the Knicks’ initial proposal, NBA front-office sources say that the possibility of New York and Milwaukee hooking up on a deal has not been completely extinguished.
The Knicks were apparently willing to take on three players who don’t start (Charlie Villanueva, Bobby Simmons and Dan Gadzuric) and two of whom haven’t lived up to their contracts (Simmons and Gadzuric) just for the right to shed Randolph after Isiah Thomas’ failed experiment of pairing him with Eddy Curry. At least one more Knick would have to be included to make the salary-cap math work in the event there is a revival here; Renaldo Balkman, Nate Robinson and Wilson Chandler have all been mentioned.
The whole concept certainly strikes us as a worthy gamble for the Bucks, no matter what potential warts or pitfalls are presented by the prospect of acquiring Randolph. Similar concerns about the addition of Ruben Patterson last season proved unfounded and the Bucks’ abundance of perimeter specialists (Michael Redd, Yi Jianlian, Mo Williams) would theoretically mesh well with Randolph’s game. There would still be questions about Randolph and Bogut co-existing, true, but the limited contributions Milwaukee is getting from the three outgoing players and Randolph’s standing as a proven 20/10 guy would seemingly offset any risk factors.
That said …
Resuscitating this deal would require an about-face from Bucks owner Herb Kohl, who is ultra-conservative when it comes to team-building, as discussed here last week. He’ll undoubtedly see Randolph as a much bigger gamble than Patterson because of the nearly $50 million over three seasons remaining on Zach’s contract after this season.”
What are the Defenders opinions on the prospects of getting garbage/salary cap relief for Z-Bo?
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
You can book this one. There will be no trades with Indiana, Boston or Minnesota. Those bastads (misspelled on purpose) won’t do anything to help Isiah and neither will he do anything that may help them. Stalemate. I think he would’ve given the farm to get JO’Neal regardless of his contract. I just don’t think Bird would let that happen. On top of that Tinsley’s embarrassed the franchise a few times so I think Bird will send him to a different losing team like Miami to send a message to the rest of the team that bussin’ caps and slappin’ skrippers is not acceptable behavior.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
Bird is petty like that. That’s how he ended up with the two ugmo’s.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
Will the rich get richer?
From Mark Franken STEIN at ESPN Cassell may end up in Boston
“Advice to teams hoping to prise Sam Cassell away from the Clippers (yes, Dallas, this means you) for playoff purposes:
It would probably be wise to trade for Cassell before mid-February comes and buyout negotiations commence that could make the 38-year-old a free agent.
Reason being: Cassell and Kevin Garnett are so tight to this day that, as one interested suitor confessed, it’s difficult to imagine Cassell choosing to sign anywhere but Boston if he makes it to the open market, where KG can start lobbying him.
With its season in ruins after the offseason Achilles injury suffered by Elton Brand and a flurry of in-season injuries contributing to a chronic inability to win at home, L.A. is open to the idea of trading Cassell just two years after he helped spark the most successful season in club history. He’s almost certain to leave anyway in the offseason after completing the final year of his current contract at the very movable salary of $6.2 million.
Cassell is the third-oldest active player in the league, behind only Houston’s Dikembe Mutombo (42 in June) and New Jersey’s Darrell Armstrong (40 in June). Cassell turns 39 in November, with Miami’s fallen Alonzo Mourning celebrating No. 38 in February and San Antonio’s Robert Horry turning 38 in August.”
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
B&B This is nothing more than rabble rousing by the MSM. Trying to get the “people” angry again like they had them before. Them deals ain’t happening.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
Like he always says. He keeps his ears to the ground to hear what other teams around the league are offering. If anything, he should be offering anybody on the team for Yi. Talk about profitable. Game would fit in with Eddy’s the Garden would stay sold out regardless of whether white people were angry or not. NY would always be on TV. It would be the ultimate “race card”. The Big Joker if you will.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
#162 & #163 are re: #158
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
Since the Knicks might be looking for someone to provide Nate and Crawford relief and man the point or play the point for stretches of time, could a Dleauge gaurd, who has surprised many an NBA scout provide the Knicks with some help at the PG?
D-League point guard Maurice Baker just might be ready for another shot at the NBA.
BOISE, Idaho
‘Attention NBA general managers, especially those of you in Cleveland, Boston, Golden State, Toronto and Denver who need help at point guard:
There is a player with the Dakota Wizards, a 6-1 guard out of Oklahoma State named Maurice Baker, who may be the answer to your problems.
Yes, Danny Ferry, you may be setting your sights on Mike Bibby again, but what’s your Plan B? And what happens if Plan B and Plan C fail?
And you, Danny Ainge, you may still be publicly denying the obvious, but everyone around the NBA can see you need a ball handler behind Rajon Rondo. If you can’t find a way to get Damon Stoudamire, where will you turn next?
And, hey, Chris Mullin, if that Gary Payton backup plan fails after C.J. Watson’s next 10-day contract expires, you’ll want to read on.
Same with you, Bryan Colangelo, as you contemplate whether Darrick Martin is an adequate insurance policy for the playoffs in case T.J. Ford cannot return.
And you, too, George Karl, because your general manager, Mark Warkentien, is liable to return to Denver with some nice things to say about that certain someone referenced above.
Again, his name is Maurice Baker, and he emerged onto plenty of teams’ radars over the past several days as the NBA’s Development League, commonly known as the D-League, held its annual showcase — bringing in all 14 teams and having them play two games apiece over a four-day stretch.
Matched up for much of the night against Bulls rookie JamesOn Curry, who is on a minor league assignment with the Iowa Energy, Baker put up the line of the week Monday night by scoring 41 points, going 12-for-17 from the field and 17-for-17 from the line with six assists (and no turnovers) and six steals.
Two nights later, Baker had 27 points (9-for-18 from the field, 8-for-8 from the line) with four assists, four steals and 15 rebounds — yes, 15 rebounds from a 6-1 point guard — while matched up against Cleveland’s Shannon Brown, who was on assignment with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.
“He has a huge heart, he’s not a great shooter but he is a great clutch shooter, and he’s one of the best rebounding guards I’ve ever seen,” said Eric Chapman, the Boise-based director of the Chapman Report, a scouting and consulting service that tracks minor league basketball players.
Chapman has been watching Baker up close for the past three years and says Baker seems to be about 80 percent of the player he was before undergoing ankle surgery in the summer of 2006 after playing half of a season in Lithuania, which followed stints in Turkey, Mexico, Syria and Russia.
Baker, 27, also played for the Heat and Nets in 2005 summer leagues and for Phoenix in a 2002 summer league. He had 10-day contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers (one game, no points) and Portland Trail Blazers (four games, no points) in the 2004-05 season, so if he makes it to the NBA, it will not be his first time there.
But it sure has been a long time since he was there.
“Finishing at the rim in traffic, that’s the one part of the game he doesn’t have anymore since the ankle surgery,” Chapman said, “but he keeps getting it back little by little, and you can see it each game.” ‘
Sadly although Lives and I recognize the need for a player to spell Nate and Jamal, I get the impression that Zeke’s reluctance to send his pups to the Dleague may be the result of bad blood between himself and the NBA for not giving him credit for his project, and providing him better compensation for the CBA he once manned.
I wonder if that same ill will might prevent him from making a bid to obtain a gaurd from the DLeague who might provide some temporary relief for the Knicks gaurd rotation.
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
OBTW here is the link.
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=dleagueshowcases-080118
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Jay Bee
I would also think the scenarios are garbage. I ask to get feedback.
Like I told Bronxboy, alot of the lopsided trade scenario where other teams get quality players from the Knicks for garbage are what the MSM, BSPN included, would like to have happen.
You don’t here them, MSM and BSPN, suggest the up and comer from the DLeague be checked out by the Knicks.
It’s all a hate fest against the Orange and Blue!
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Fellas, league execs see us as a desperate, inept franchise run by an incompetent riverboat gambler, hence the reason for the ridiculous trade proposals.
We’d be best served by standing pat and continuing to develop our young studs.
Our upside is enormous.
BTW, without sounding naive, what use does Randolph Morris serve for us????????
I mean, why him????
Couldn’t we trade him for a serviceable backup pg?
That kid Maurice Baker from the DL sounds just like what the doctor ordered.
By Bronxboy in Md on Jan 20, 2008
JayBee,
Re #155. Useful post. Verrrrrrry Useful. Don’t sweat the “homer” tag, we know you know what’s good. Ademas, you’re a King of the F’n Hill.
KFLL
By Steady on Jan 20, 2008
JayBee at #155, Wonderful Post. That’s the reason I enjoy checkin’ in. You never know what kind of goodies you’ll find.
By Lives In New Jersey, Loves New York on Jan 20, 2008
Peaceman @ 154
It would be great to get Artest.
Do you think he’d go to Detroit. I recall putting up an article were Artest didn’t necesarily oppose to the prospects of ending up in Detroit.
That would suck. But if his the story that his family’s health needs would be better served by being in the Northeast, then New York, his home town, should be the place he aims to return to. Correct?
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
B&B you’re on point. That last statement about the CBA and IT, you won’t find that on MSM. You won’t. I’ve looked. But for those of us old enough to remember… We know what kind of crook David Stern is. He was trying to rip the CBA from Isiah’s cold dead hands. So rather than pay fair market for the CBA, Stern tried to run them out of business when he couldn’t lowball. The nerve of Isiah trying to make a profit off of an investment. The CBA was near bankruptcy when he bought it.
The closest thing I’ve found to the truth is this article: http://www.cbamuseum.com/cbaisiah.html
The whole idea behind the DLeague turns out to be Isiah’s. Stern stole the ball, Stern stole the ball, sounds familiar don’t it?
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
At first, I was thinking that IT didn’t want anything to do with the DLeague, but I forgot about Jackie Butler. So it’s possible he could reach down, but not without cutting somebody with a guaranteed contract.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
Jay Bee
Like the conspiracy theorist Cloak n Daggers said before…
Stern is the Dark Sith Emperor who is an autocrat playing God with the fates of the teams in teh leauge with his legions of officiaratis!
But I hope he takes a look at that PG that I posted the article above about. Crawford and Nate need some servicable back-up for the remainder of the season. And getting that DLeaguer Baker could be what the Dr. ordered, as Bronxboy stated.
Almost time for Giants v. Packers.
I’m in a New York State of Mind!
Go Ny Go Ny GO!
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
Jay Bee
Since Marbury is on the shelf.
Is there anyway we could get some injury exception relief, and pick up that Baker or the guy you mentioned Butler?
Let me know.
By Black and Blue on Jan 20, 2008
If we are granted injury relief, we could pick one up. Marbury would need to STFU though about coming back this season.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
Word. I’ll be back during breaks. Time to pop bottles. Beer bottles of course. The other bubbly.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
JayBee,
Great find. Several months ago, the Defenders blogged on this very issue. This article does not mention the perception (citing Brendan Suhr) that most team owners made off much better after IT than before IT. His influence on the game is real. He understands the new “floppin’” NBA and how to build up to a championship. I’m certainly convinced of that so I blog “Steady as IT goes”. Though I blog about the 3-card Monty and all the misdirections he’s given us fans here at KnicksDefense, there’s a fundamental resignation to the fact that he’s the GM and that he knows the tricks of the NBA. JimmyD has given him the keys and instructed him to wrest those spares that were given to Stephon. Apparently, that deal is almost done as the fans await for the next Starbury walking shoe to fall. Meanwhile, IT may be angling for COY or CCOY. Many of us have openly questioned some line-ups and his laissez-faire approach while the NY Actors slack away from the team concept.
Who wants to tell me that Crawford is better than Stephon at penetrating and kicking it out to a spot-up effective Q on the trey-line or dumping to an open Curry or Z-bo for a lay-up or a baby-J? Thanks to KDJakes Cooleyhigh, Modi, Harlem and Steady watched up-close a line-up of Z-bo, Nate, JJeff and Crawford. It was the middle of the 3rd Quarter and the Lizards went on a run. Then Monty pulls Craw for Taz. I then asked the two MDs: WTF, where’s the offense on this crew? MD Modi answered: Zeke’s going to N8 and Z-bo, all the rest are fillers for rebounding and supporting roles. On two trips down, Z-bo missed 15-ftrs. from the right side. On the 3rd trip, he got tied up and lost the ball OB on the right. On the 4th posession, he told N8, go ahead, run another play or do it yourself. N8 bowled down the middle into a double-team and the lead went up to 13. We lost by that score. After the game, I hung that loss on Zeke for the foolish rotation in the third and not coaching when the boys came out ice cold and strayed from the team concept. Then again, IT gets the big bucks, has the gig adn we be steady bloggin’.
KFLL
By Steady on Jan 20, 2008
If it wouldn’t cost us too much in trade. You guys know I don’t do this often. I would like to have Mike James PG-Houston. He has fallen out of favor with Rick Adelman in favor of Skip To Ma Lou, but he still plays killer man on defense, has great speed and has a nice stroke on the jumper.
Maybe now that Q has “found” his shot, we can find a taker.
By Jay Bee on Jan 20, 2008
You know all a team can ask for is a level playing field.
The Giants are not getting that today and I am seriously starting to doubt whether they will get a level playing field from the homer bowl and Bret Farve friends the NFL referees.
Following suspect calls to help the Packers to a 10-6 lead.
Call against Jacobs after he steamed rolled the Packers D.
Suspect Call against the secondary to provide Farve and the Packers the drive that le