RECAP: 76ers 116 Knicks 87
So what happens when a jump shooting team, to a man, struggles to make a shot? Hopefully it
tries to drive to the basket. What happens when the team they are playing can defend the basket?
They get blown out.
End of story, really.
This is what we talked about when we meant balance. For those of you who want to hold on to your exciting young players instead of getting someone to guard the rim you’d have a tough time being taken seriously by intelligent NBA executives. Granted, guys like Sam Dalembert are hard to come by, but they are game changers.
Two games without a blocked shot, the Sixers had 7, and about 5 more “hurries” even when Dalembert and Elton Brand (3 blocks) weren’t even in the game.
The talk may be about Marbury, but the real problem with this team is the lack of presence at the rim, something Donnie Walsh has always stressed.
I’ll bet Coach D’Antoni, who’s already showed to be a bit testy, will be begging for a big soon.
The Knicks shot 32% from the field and a putrid 25% from the 3-point line. Jamal Crawford “led” the team with 14, while Brand had 24.
The Knicks (1-1) return to action Sunday against the Bucks.
