Knicks at Jazz

crap. can’t fault n8 for that last drive cuz there was an opening and they’re behind with only a few ticks left in the game. but the last mad drive he took, that mighta bin the crucial pioint right there

crawford 6-27…my god

Right on dj, they have played tough the whole trip. like lives said, this bodes well for next set of games back home.

g’night all.

I am furious. This would have been such a great win. This was simply given away. Just given away. And it ain’t on Crawford. We know that he is a chucker. It is completely on Isiah. How no plays were run for Nate or Zach during that last minute is unnacceptable. I was screaming at my TV.

This blind loyalty has got to stop and some real coaching needs to happen.

I’m not defending Crawford but perhaps that is all those minutes he’s been logging catching up to him.

With Nate you have to take the good with the bad, mostly good since he is developing before our eyes.

Lastly, seems like what’s happening is that the run and gun Knicks, (Nate, Lee, Balkman, Jefferies, Z-Bo, Jones etc), are very much capable of getting up solid leads against a very strong Western Conference field.

Problem is that the plodders, (Curry, James), don’t fit and even when their healthy generally don’t bring energy, and rebound, and intangibles.

Hence the run and gunners who have to carry the team on their back are winded come the early to mid fourth and their aint much but vapors for them to run on.

Too that end, I would rather see Chandler, Morris, and perhaps even Mardy play more additional minutes so that the gunners have something in their tank and aint running on vapors.

What’s the opinions on the blogosphere aka knicksdefense?

(Devilish Laugh)
The question of whether or not Jamal is our best player was answered tonight…..

NO!!!!!!!!!

DVJ

Dribbling the ball in a puddle results in a ball with no bounce.

Night bruh!

Jamal is playing tired man—it’s obvious —all you JC haters got get a grip—or come up with a viable alternative.

The kid need some rest—and Zeke’s not giving it to him! I’m dissapointed as well, like everyone here—but their defense is atrocious—even when they have the lead they can’t keep it. And it’d not All Zeak’s fault, not ALL Crawford’s fault—IT’S THE TEAM WITH NO DEFENSE TO HOLD DOWN A LEAD FAULT, WITH NO SHOT BLOCKERS—ONLY FOULERS!!!

Crawford was hard on himself in the locker room afterward. “I take responsibility for this one,” Crawford said. “I was awful. I picked the wrong time to have the worst game of my career – on national television. I let the team down.”

Tough loss.

In short, I will disagree with the blame being poor defense and totally on Jamal.

The Knicks defense was pretty decent the entire game, certainly better than usual. They were magnificient on the boards and essentially made a good Portland team a jumpshooting team and not a very good one at that. However, two things stood out for me at the end and they both indicate that they are just not ready yet in their progression and development. They are very, very close but not there quite yet.

First, they played extremely tight and tired at the end of the game. Portland did not play tight at the end. Roy and Jack played with the confidence of being at home, playing the Knicks and having a good number of victories behind them. Roy was cool and confident, although the Knicks had bascially controlled them most of the game.

Second, the Knick’s tightness showed up on the offensive end, not the defensive end. The Knicks had quite a few stops at the end and if they had one extra offensive possession where they scored instead of lauching bad shots and turning the ball over, we would not be havint this discussion. They played tight, scared and without confidence. It showed in theri passes and in the execution of their plays. Zach should not have had the ball at the end; he had already screwed up two possessions in the final minutes by refusing to pass out of the double teams. However, you will also notice that the guards passed to him about 19′ from the basket, but drifted away to take their man away, but never returned to give him a clear option to pass out to.

Nate was the only other offensive force going who could establish his own shot and he did not have much room for penetration in a half court set. The only other scorers were in shallow water and doing so after rebounding stuggles.

Zeke did a good job of maanging the game. Perfect? No? His players have got to play better. They will. Was Crawford tired? He should be, but he looked tired for most of the game. As DVJ indicated this was one of the worst performances I have seen in a long time. He was off. Shyte happens sometime, but playing him all those minutes does not help. That is Zeke’s error. He has been rebuilding his team’s confidence but there is a lot more to do.

I am with you guys. I am very disappointed. We could have stolen a couple of games during this road trip. Hopefully, we get Seattle and can start this five game winning streak and surprise San Antonio which must be stunned with Gasol going to LA. (Stunning, but Gasol still needs time to learn the triangle)

We need one more two way baller. A defender who can create his own shot in the paint and outside. Who is this? Artest? We need a shot blocker? You know I don’t talk trade stuff normally, but what do you think about Richard Jefferson (remember I suggested Mikki Moore, a long long time ago)? Why Jefferson? He has Artest like skills and he will never realize his potential playing next to Vince Carter. Never. They are duplicative except that Carter gets to hog the ball as a point forward and the Nets as a jumpshooting team refuse to maximize Jeferson’s skills. And Jefferson is not afraid to play inside and physically. He will also guard a man.

Very disappointing. Crawford is not as bad as he was last night. He needs. R-E-L-I-E-F.

DEE-FENDERS,

I attended the Jazz vs. the Wizards last night and enjoyed watching 2 well-coach teams play w/
intensity throughout the entire game. Returned home to watch Knicks w/ score 14-7 Blazers.

Observations:

The Jazz have only 1 player on the team that can beat you off the dribble, Deron Williams.
The Jazz play team ball, run Plays, and you do not see an offense Built around a 40% shooter.
Boozer & Williams had 2 pts. combined going into 4th qtr. but because they play as a team,
they were only down 4 pts, and eventually won.
Team has AK-47 as only shot-blocker,his minutes are sporadic.
Boozer & Okur play below rim, yet team defense is good.

Knicks:
The team needs some OFFENSIVE SETS. Giving the ball to CRAWFUL, N8, or ZBO, and letting them isolate
will lead you 25 -28 wins.
Excuses about Crawful being tired is lame. He is a Career 40%-shooter (8-years). So when he had the streak
of shooting 49%, then you can expect the current streak to be around 31%. Don’t Lie to yourself
or other DEE-FENDERS.
N8, as Jon Barry stated on ESPN, reminds him of Earl Boykins. He said this as a compliment. I have
been saying this as a compliment.
The team needs a Pass-First point guard. You guys are Entertained, I would rather Win.
The team plays better w/o Curry. I have said this for 2-months. Curry has been an ALBATROSS
SHYT RISES OR FALLS TO ITS’ NATURAL LEVEL.
5-6 W/O CANCER. Not counting MORAL WINS. Playing better because uptempo.
Telling it Like it is.

Peace & Blessings

“excuses about Crawford being tired is lame. He is a Career 40%-shooter (8-years). ”

Still, last night was worse than 40% shooting and and increase playing time minutes with multiple roles for him to perform on a game by game, night by night, has to taking it’s toll. Give the guy a break—maybe you can shoot better than 40% and run point guard duties, play defense, make game winning shots, making shots period dispite being chase all around for the court because you have the ball, or being chase all around the court to prevent you from getting the ball—and when you get it—u get doubled teamed.

Give him a break—and stop hating—or, Statesman, you suit up—you have all the answers, don’t y

Statesman

I respectfully disagree.

Jamal’s 6-27 performance last night was way under his 40% career clip- note that clip is not great.

Jamal yesterday shot about 22.22222222…%, or doubly less efficient than his career clip.

To me that’s a significant enough disparity to consider the possibility that fatigue is playing a part in his performance.

Had he shot at his career clip give or take a few shots he would have hit around 18 of 27 of his shot attempts.

Those shots go in and there is a different result to last night Knicks v. Portland game.

Me and Lives have been saying it all along that we need to either a) obtain a 3rd PG/scoring gaurd; or b) intergrate and develop Mardy Collins if we can’t do latter.

In addition it is well noted that we need bigs who can shot block and rebound, hustle and defend with more tenancity than Baby Huey.

There appear to be trades to be had. And I’m tired of hearing that GM’s won’t do deals where they don’t get the players full value in return, there are always other considerations. Perhaps one that might effect Monty, is his perception in the league. If that’s the case then all is understood. But I can’t fathom that teams are giving up quality for garbage such as in the following scenarios.

Stromile Swift’s expiring contract for Collins two year contract

If that works why can’t we offer, Jerome James’ ass out to Memphis coupled with Randolph Morris in exchange for Swift?

Why can’t we get involved, Curry still might net us some players that address our needs, and we an expiring contract and other contracts that will expire next year. Why is it that given our current teams difficiencies trades are not happening.

I guesse, I’ll have to have faith that Monty knows what’s up and will do the right thing.

Caramelo Anthony squashes speculation that Artest might be heading to the Nuggets.

One thing that occurred to me last night (and i’m going to rewind and review the last half-quarter) was how unspectacular zbo is. I suspect at least half the reason people get on him is b/c he does his work pretty quietly. Offensively, he’s got a couple reliable post moves (esp going left cuz i think he’s left-handed) and a decent mid-range game. But, as it’s been said many times, no/low hops. There’s no thunderstorm of beasty dunks or plethora of offensive tricks a la tim duncan (another no/low hops guy). He just gets his stuff in a fairly workmanlike fashion.

On defense, he has slow feet to go with the low/no hops but he does know how to effectively box out his man and has a nose for the carom. He’s pretty good at stripping/stealing the ball (good for a PF) but he doesn’t/can’t sky for anything.

On both ends he’s the type of guy where you look around after a bit and say, “he’s got how many points?! He’s got how many rebounds?!

I think the guy only has one gear and he plays with good intensity. When the points are there, he takes em, when the boards are there he gets them. That’s why we can note that at the half he had just a couple, few boards but by the end of the game (regulation) he had a bunch. It’s not like he’s suddenly doing anything different, he just keeps his head down (ha ha, no pass jokes please ) and keeps workin. The rewards come in time.

I think we can hang this one on Craw. If he made just one more lousy bucket in regulation, we would’ve had an upset win (and he still woulda had a terrible percentage anyway). He’s had a pretty good run of late-in-the game daggers but couldn’t pull thru this time. Way he was going this game, it would’ve been too much to expect i think. Still, I have sympathy for him. He’s not the guy he’d like to be (maybe reality will grab him by the jersey one day), but can’t fault him for tryin. He needs some reliable help.

Tough question: if we could only get one solid player via draft or trade, do we go for the great two-way guard or do we go for the great two-way small forward?

Follymach,

The great two way Small Foward!

Whycome u say?

Well if the great two way small foward is the combination of a solid outside shooting threat, a solid slasher, can do a lil posting and toasting, and can even handle the rock at times plus can defend like the dickens, that addresses a plethora of team defficincies way more than a great two gaurd could at this juncture.

A great two way small foward can spell some relief for Lee, Z-Bo, if they can bang score and defend inside.

A great two way small foward with solid handle can bring the rock up the floor and relieve the gaurds of that burden a times.

A great two way small foward who can shoot the rock with range and hit the three pretty consistently can stretch the defense and might allow the Knicks to maximize Curry offensive post presence.

A great two way small foward can defend multiple positions on the floor that way depending on whose the opposing teams hot scorer, the SF could be assigned to that person SG/SF/F to provide lockdown defense.

I guesse that’s why it’s called the swing position, b/c it addresses so many needs at once.

“I guesse that’s why it’s called the swing position, b/c it addresses so many needs at once.”

*nods* strong argument, BnB

I’m pretty wary of Swift. Guy is perpetually injured.

…and THEN I start laughing right in their faces—-PERSONALLY!!!!

Follymach,

“I’m pretty wary of Swift. Guy is perpetually injured.”

I see your point with regards to acquiring Swift.

Due to being so injury prone, one just won’t know what you’ll get from him in the long run.

I figure that would also lead to alot of gambling and hoping he’s physically sound should we seek to trade him later on down the line.

In short to big a gamble.

Do you think the team should stand pat or should they involve themselves in the trading bonanza?

If so do you think there are any trades currently that would work out?

Just Bloggin

Re: Man Love Poll

Which Defender comes across as having the biggest Man Crush?

Peaceman: Artest

African: Curry

ANTI: Crawford

KnicksD needs to set up a pole on that one.

I’ll admit I love the Taz (no homo) but don’t know if it goes to the level of the love my fellow defenders have for their boys.

Damn. That’s a four way tie.

“What do you think should be done to reduce Crawford’s minutes, how would you approach the problem?”

B&B,

Gotta give Collins and his inept shooting more minutes(allowing Jamal some rest)—heck with a fatigued Jamal—Collins probably make more buckets than him(JC) as well. At least shoot 40% or better, right Modi and Statesman?

Let Nate play the two—and get Wilson Chandler free to play.

OR

When’s Starbury coming back!??! We miss him—don’t we!?!

DVJ = Kobe “Black Mamba!”

The young fella has an online shrine/web site dedicated to his hero. Still, even when removes him from the altar for a dustin’ by naming LBJ as the best today and for the future, DVJ has not created an LBJ shrine…yet! Thus my vote.

DVJ,
I know you’re DVJ and our own (BECAUSE you came to the community before Steady). Still, read back on your posts and reconsider “The Puddle”. You gotta be steady at times lil’ bruh’, always if you can. For example, you gotta girl; the muscles yu build up will be for you and her. Damn the playettes and the DL players out there in Westchester County. Furthermore, The Puddle would equal the BPOT you claimed him to be earlier on the board if guys like Balk or Lee slashed to the hole when he has the ball on the high post. Watching him decide if he should take the man or the 18-ftr. is not TEAM play. Menawhile, the shot clock is expiring. I’m almost certain Monty will show this on tape during film sessions (ON THE CHARTER).

Anti-,
I sense your frustration re: another blogger atttacking your hero. Statesman or anyone else bloggin’ clearly are not on the floor nightly so their criticism should be taken with a grain. For this reason I suggested the Just Bloggin’ tag–it was established around the time when a blogger who clearly indicated his experience in the game involved summer camps, a little PAL, some HS and now mostly pick-ups on Sundays. You can tell who these cats are from their posts. I only know the basketball pedigree for DVJ and the ForceMD’s. I make no assumptions about Statesman’s or even yours though you posted it here several times. For this reason, if I happen to read something that should have been a skip pass that I let go OB (as opposed to a bounce pass dunked hard as in a compliment), I just give them the obligatory Just Bloggin’. Jay Bee is a wise-acre, he read that early on and came on board with the name Jay Bee for Just Bloggin’. PNoize is a non-conformist–he says Just sayin’. We know, however, when he’s Just Bloggin’. That’s why we’re here. Just Bloggin’.

KFLL

Lives

A four way tie, that can’t happen.

Let’s change the inquiry to unconditional love and African Wins it hands down, with Anti coming in second.

Steady,

“Furthermore, The Puddle would equal the BPOT you claimed him to be earlier on the board if guys like Balk or Lee slashed to the hole when he has the ball on the high post. Watching him decide if he should take the man or the 18-ftr. is not TEAM play. Menawhile, the shot clock is expiring. I’m almost certain Monty will show this on tape during film sessions (ON THE CHARTER).”

I agree with that statement wholeheartedly.

Z-Bo be passing but right now those passes are generally to the perimeter, where that leads to settling for jumpers.

Not good for a team with tired jump shooters going into the 4th quarter, with no relief currently in site.

However, plays need to be included, MODI’s rant, and some of those plays should facilitate our boys Lee, and Balkman slashing tot he hoop. Those plays should maximize Z-Bo’s ability to draw defenders when he faces up and should get our boys open off of picks to free them going to the basket.

Of course Z-Bo has to pass that ball when the guy cuts in and gets open but I believe he’d do it.

Why you ask.

Well b/c if players doubling up on him continue to leave players free to cut and score into the basket, then they’ll lay off of Z-Bo some giving him space to pound/drive the ball in.

All can come out good in that scenario.

Good points

@ Statesman
More excuses than a Rockstar going to jail! lol