Knicks at Jazz

BnB sorry for delay, hadda step out for a while. Wow, what lot to catch up on. Odds we’ll get to 1000 before KD squints thru his flu-ridden eyes to bang out a new thread? 40%

I’m not much for trade scenarios. Hurts my pretty head too much. I might comment on the odd one from time to time, but I tried that trademachine thing once and that’s about enough for the season. Tell you what tho, i will give you a homework assignment: how do we weasel Jose Barea out of Dallas? You want a solid passing/scoring point guard to spell a starter? Look no further (ok, at his size he’s no lock-down guy, but he can be a thief)…

I like crawford in terms of heart, even tho his statue-style defense is…worrisome. thing is, his bravado and willingness to lead is beyond his actual skills (imho). there’s a couple ways you can get a FG%. if someone is averaging 40%, he could be that guy who more or less bounces between, say 37% and 43% orrr he could be that guy who hits 60% for a stretch, then falls to 20% in another. i suggest crawford is closer to the latter than the former. that’s why MODI and i have suggested that in a better world, craw’s a bench guy, a key player on the second unit — if he’s hot, you get the benefit of that (and perhaps you might consider reducing the starter’s mins), but if he’s cold, well at least you can limit the damage. But we don’t have anyone better at the moment so we have to live and die with him. He should still be getting more relief tho cuz fatigue doesn’t help anybody’s shot whether you’re a superstar or not.

Just sayin (? i don’t think i’ll get the hang of when to use JB)

Aight Follymach

I’ve been acting a fool lately with all the just blogging trade proposals.

How about this one.

Barrera, Stackhous, and Diop. (Gaurd relief and a defensive minded center)

In exchange for

Curry, Collins, and Morris (Inside scorer, who can now be surrounded by perimeter scorers, another big who might see some more shine there than he has seen here, and collins to provided them a big defensive oriented PG in exchange for Barrerra).

Again take your pot shots at my expense.

But foolishness such a both Garnett and Allen going to Beantown happened, why can’t we?

Paulnoize,
yeah, Mitch Lawrence does have some bad teeth!

it’s an awesome trade B & B for us!!!

Why would Dallas do this versus doing nothing though?

Paulnoize:

Good question.

My presumption would be that perhaps they could use an Interior scorer in Curry who might thrive off of the perimeter shooting the Mavericks could provide.

But point well noted, Curry is an enigma, and Dallas may not want such a player.

Basically I came up with that “just blogging” trade scenario in response to an assignment by follymach who hasn’t gotten back to me on the suggested trade yet. Seems like Follymach is a fan of Barrerra, so he asked me to come up with some package to land Barrerra.

So that’s were I came up with the whole trade mess.

BnB, I like it. Good job, I think it works. If they’d be so inclined to make that trade, I’d be inclined to support it.

i agree that Collins would be a player that they might like in Dallas, but i think Diop is appreciated there. It doesn’t show in the stats, but he defends the rim, and you need a guy like that to play alongside Dirk. It’s Dirty Work, and i doubt that they could be convinced that Morris could be that guy.

Still though, like Charles Follymacher says, if they like, i like it. =)

Follymach

Correction noted in your 726.

My mistake for misquoting you.

No harm no foul.

PRE-GAME TEAM REPORT

Knicks (14-32) v. Seattle (11-35) in Seattle

Tonight at 10pm the New York Knicks end a very disappointing trip with a 40% chance (LOL) to start a new winning streak against a Seattle squad which, despite lottery luck in the form of Kevin Durant, is having a worst season than the NYK crew.

Seattle with only 11 wins is 2-8 in its last ten games, but is riding a two game winning streak after victories against Lebron-less Cleveland Cavaliers (101-95) and Parker-less San Antonio Spurs (88-85).

I suggest that the Knicks’ biggest problem will be fatigue as they come off a rather demoralizing overtime loss against a Portland team they should have beaten. However, if the Knicks show the resolve they have in the last 12 games, they should be slightly favored to beat the Durant Gang. This is the second night in a row that Nate Robinson and Jamal Crawford will have extra motivation to exhibit their b-ball wares as they are both Seattle products made good. Last night was just a West Coast family-reunion with Jones and Zbo returning to their former team and Crawford and Robinson attempting to beat two other Seattle products, one of whom was recently named an All-star. Tonight the over-used guards will need that extra motivation to keep going physically and mentally.

In their victory of the Cavs, the not-so-Supersonics lost a 22 point first half lead.

The Coach

The Supersonics have a born-again, P.J. Carlesimo who I remember from back in his successful Seton Hall days. In his new incarnation, long after he found his neck in a Sprewell death grip, he hails from the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs system where his was an assistant coach for five years with a team that won three of the last five championships.

He has been coaching for 34 years and is in his 7th NBA season as a head coach. He took Portland to the playoffs twice and currently has a 194-257 regular season W-L record.

Carlesimo is married and has two sons Kyle (5) and Casey (2).

Starting Line Up

Expect P.J. to start the following players:

Earl Watson, pg
Kurt Thomas. C
Jeff Green, PF (ankle sprain alert; game time decision)
Kevin Durant, SF
Chris Wilcox, PF

Jeff Green, 21, 6-9, 235 lbs is in his rookie season from Georgetown and is averaging 8.7 ppg, 4.5 rebounds per game and almost 1 block a game in 24 mpg. His game is inconsistent like a rookies game is expected to be, but he can score in the double digits against tough opponents as he did against Utah ( 19 pts but only 4 boards in a loss), Orlando (12 pts and 7 boards in a loss), and Detroit (17 pts and 7 boards in a loss) early in the season. In January he hit double digit scoring against Dallas, Houston and the recent Cleveland game. He shoots at 43% clip, is not a three point threat and is only 69% at the restitution stripe.

I like his game. I think he plays with more versatility than his draft mate Durant. His ball handling skills are not great, but he can score, rebound and make assists if called upon. He has not reached his potential yet.

Chris Wilcox, 6-10, 225 lbs averages 12 ppg, 7.2 rpg. He is a scoring threat at 52% shooting. He sucks at the restitution stripe for an average of 65% and does not shoot threes.
In his last five games he has been averaging 13 points with 18 against Cleveland with 13 rebounds. He also had a double double of 13 boards and 16 points against San Antonio, so he is feeling his oats.

His scouting report reads “ gifted athlete . . . .very strong upper body. . . .extremely good running the floor . . .raw offensive game, but can score.”

Earl Watson, pg, at 6′-1″, 195 averages 8.2 ppg, 6.4apg and 1 steal per game. Last season Watson, who was subbing for Luke Ridhour, was whining about his minutes to then-coach Hill who considered him a back-up point for life. Watson is more of a distributor than a scorer. In the last five games he has averaged 27 minutes but only 7 points. He had 12 points in 28 minutes in the Cleveland victory.

Former New York Knicks, Kurt Thomas holds down the Center spot at 6′-9 “, 235 lbs. He averages 7.5 points per game and 9.2 rebounds in 25.8 minutes per game. Kurt can score away from the basket and promises to give Eddie Curry some problems on both ends with his savvy, professional play. He’s averaged 13 points and 6 boards in the last two games. He is a tough all round player with good rebounding skills, a decent mid-range shot and some defensive intensity. Considered slow and undersized, but some Knicks fans would rather have him than Curry now. Go figure.

Kevin Durant, 6′-9″, 225 lbs is the real deal offensively. He averages 19 points per game on 17 shots per game and 40% shooting (sorta like Crawford, LOL). He also averages 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He hits 28% from the trifecta reflecta, but hits throws at a 87% clip. The last five games he has averaged 22.2 ppg. In his one game against New York he scored 30 points in December in the Garden. Durant with his excellent offensive skills has some ball handling versatility and is long and skinny. He is really just learning the NBA game and how to use his body at this level. He is learning but is identified as an eventual studded star.

Carlesimo tends to go deep into his bench and may give double digit minutes to

Nick Collison, pf, 6′-9 225lbs averages 27 minutes and has started 19 games. He was recently replaced in the starting lineup by the returning Chris Wilcox. He is relatively strong on the boards at 9 pg and he scores 9.3 ppg. His report reads as follows: “A threat in the low post. . . .Runs the floor well. . . . Good rebounding and passing skills. . . .Great competitor.”

Luke Ridinour, pg, 6’2″, 167 lbs basically splits pg duties with Watson at 21 mpg but he only scores 5.8 ppg and has 2.8apg. He is a 20% shooter from the tre spot, but he wets the cotton for 90% from the free throw line. According to scouts, Ridnour has an excellent shooting stroke. . . is a great passer. . . . excels in the tradition game, quick hands, good attitude.

Delonte West SG, is 6’4″, 180lbs and suffers from plantar facitis. He averages 20 mpg, put scores at 6.7 ppg 3.3 assists per game and wets the ter. at 36%. He is a tough defender with a decent jump shot. He can run the point.

Damien Wilkins, 6-6″, 225lbs, is baseball royalty although he averages 9.3 p.G., 2.2 apg and hits threes at a 33% shooting percentage. In 29 mpgs he grabs about 3 rebounds and suffers from 1.22 tos a game. Fast, good defender, can play point.

Johan Petro, C, 7’0′, 247lbs averages 4.3 p.G. and 3.8 rpg in an average of 12.5 mpg. He shoots 77% from the free throw line. “Very raw. . . . very big, long and athletic.”

Rotations

The top five man units used by Carlesimo this year are as follows:

1. Watson – Durant – Wilkens – Wilcox – Thomas
2. Watson – Durant – Wilkins – Wilcox – Collison
3. Watson – Durant – Green – Collison – Thomas
4. Watson – Durant – Green – Wilcox – Thomas
5. West – Durant – Wilkins – Wilcox – Thomas

Unit #1 has been the most effective, outscoring opponents in 43% of the games recorded.

This is seriously a jump shooting team with 68% of its attempts being jumpers and 43% of attempts made are not assisted. The teams effective field goal percentage is 46%. They play a little up tempo game and shot early in the clock.

The turn the bal over more than their opponents. They receive a high share of offensive fouls. Make a lot of bad passes and has terrible bell handling. Seattle commits a lot of shooting fouls.

Knicks v. Seattle

The players must play, of course, but expect this game to be won or loss by the coaches. Carlesimo is savvy and he must know that he has the advantage against the Knicks who are at the end of a disastrous road trip. Last night, they played their hearts out and lost. Tonight the two overplayed points will expend a lot of energy early to compensate for being tired and to impress their home crowd. They will be overused again and absolutely exhausted by the end of the game.

Carlesimo will realize that he can run this team with college type rotations. He should be expected to go ten deep. He will have Kurt Thomas challenge Curry early and attempt to get Curry frustrated and into early foul trouble, through offensive fouls.

Isiah should realize that he can win this game if he counters effectively and plays his defensive boys who received a bit of rest yesterday, that being Jeffries and Collins. He will try to pound Seattle early. We’ll see how that works. Balk and Lee should see considerable minutes.

To conserve his teams energy, we should see the zone. I doubt that Seattle is much of a zine buster. They are a poor rebounding team and aren’t the best jump shooting team or a very good passing team. They are young and have a much longer way to go than the Knicks to be any good. Still the Knicks could lose depending on their level of effort.

In December, with Marbury mourning the loss of his father and the Knicks mourning the loss of any competitive drive, Durant and Green abused the beleaguered Knicks with Durant scoring 30 and Green 17. The entire team shot 58% from the field. Kurt Thomas was clutch in the end and Luke Ridnour scorched the Knicks guards for 12 points. Balkman only saw 6 minutes of action in that game and the Knicks had 14 to 17 assts. Balkman would relish the opportunity to shut either Green or Durant down as he did in the summer league.

At the very least, this should be an interesting game and hopefully the beginning of a Knicks winning streak.

KD Jakes Cooleyhigh,
I know how you scroll. All I can say is: Wish I was there. Rose petals on the spread, candle lights and Pinot in 81 degrees. Can’t say I’m completely hurtin’. Hope our heros come thru tonite just the same. You know what’s good.

KFLL

Carlisimo took Portland to the playoffs 3 times. The first time his team went out in 3. I forgot to change “twice” to “trice.”