As we’ve said time and time again, NBA games are won in the half court in the 4th quarter, and
tonight with the impressive inside-out performance of Andre Iguodala (18 points) and the creativity of Andre Miller, the 76ers proved too much for the Knicks down the stretch in the team’s home preseason opener.
Plenty of positives for Mike D’Antoni, including a solid all around performance by Wilson Chandler who finished with 20 points (5-6 from 3) and 10 rebounds. In fact, and this speaks to the quality of both young players, I think Iguodala is a rubbery version of Chandler.
“I thought we ran out of gas toward the end,” D’Antoni said. “But if we continue to play like this and practice like this, we’ll be fine.”
The 76ers were able to overcome a very potent Knicks offense, which made 15 three pointers led by Chandler, by pounding the offensive glass down the stretch and keeping possessions alive.
Eddy Curry made his Knick debut and looked awfully out of place and shape, and left with an upset stomach after 6 minutes of action. That sounds to me like my old CYO practices where we’d run until someone puked to see who kept in shape. After the game D’Antoni just told reporters to he has to “just be patient” with Curry’s progression.
D’Antoni must be pleasantly surprised by the emergence to Mardy Collins off the bench, as the third year guard dazzled with an array of shots, finishing with 10 points of 5-5 shooting. Collins’ performance may make a decision on Anthony Roberson an easy one, leaving a crack in the door open for the injured Allan Houston, who again sat with a sore quad.
Jamal Crawford played just 26 minutes and finished with 8 points on 3-5 shooting.
The Knicks (1-2) return to action Friday in Boston.
I’m glad I stayed up all night (I live in Sweden, please remember that if you think my english is kind of “rookish” ) to watch the new Knicks play their first game in the Garden. What I saw was a new healthy looking Knicks (except for that big-blob-bouncer-dude that they let on the court during the game). A new Knicks that tries to play like a team and, most important, act like a team. You saw coach D working team psychology, backing up his team to the point when he got a technical foul. Zach made at least one pass from the low post, and a really good one too. There were also some overpassing, players who sometimes were unselfish to the point when I wondered if they were trying to make new friends instead of playing a basketball game.
Sure there was confusion in the offense, but what do you expect – it’s brand new to the new Knicks. I’m more concerned with the defense. I feel the team is to short and to poor on defense to defend a really good PF or C. But that could be partially solved with a smart, quick and solid team defense.
I just hope that coach D, with a little help from his friend Mr. Walsh, manages to mold together all the old talent with the sparkling new one. Then I will truly see the light in the tunnel and I will have to stay up many more nights.
Before I go, I might be bias because I live in Europe, but Galli is already a very good player. If he can stay healthy I’m sure he will turn out to be a very productive and exciting player on the Knicks for years to come
Over n’ out
i hate to beat a dead horse but eddy curry is one of the most unprofessional athletes in the game. he should wear a ski mask to pick up his check because he is robbing dolan. how can you show up to camp a fat slob. i hope d’antoni buries this bum and when he does curry will probably whine about it. this guy should just go play xbox in his mansion and call it quits. what a waste of talent.