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Was it a Fluke?

by Tommy Dee on March 5th, 2009 at 9:54 am

A lot of back and forth on the Internet since last night’s game regarding Nate. Obviously, he is a talented player, but you’d have to agree that there were several factors of last night’s win that could have had the “No Nate” stamp.

Namely, more shots for Gallinari, and better perimeter defense.

Now, I’m not one to go crazy off one performance, who knows, maybe the Hawks are the perfect match up for them. Still I’d like to get your take.

What would you like to see happen?


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  • Chris Alvino

    I missed the last few days while I was on vacation.

    That said, I have not seen the Knicks play their last three games. Before I left, Nate was on a tear. Though erratic at times, he was the spark that led the Knicks to success.

    As Tommy wrote last night, the Knicks looked a bit more fluid without Nate in the lineup. But does that mean he is the problem? Does that mean that he deserves less minutes?

    Like I said, I have not seen the team in a few days, but I have to say that he still has a gigantic role on this team. If there is a problem between Nate and Hughes, then they have to work that out. Both are key for our stretch run, and both should be able to play in the three guard rotation.

    With Q Rich losing minutes (I have been down on him for over a year, but I can say that I am proud to watch him play in a Knick uniform. He provides the grit and toughness that I would like to see in every player.), there is no reason why Nate and Larry cannot coincide.

  • Where2010Happens

    I think it would just be stupid to think Nates role should remain the same before and after Hughes got here. Now that Hughes has what was essentially his preseason out of the way(since he hadnt been playing for chicago for a while), he demands minutes. While Q hasnt been spectacular, I think he deserves 15 minutes a game also. As a result, Nate’s minutes are going to have to be cut. In my eyes, Nate is perfect as a spark off the bench, getting 25 minutes/game(and more if he gets really hot). More or less what Lou Williams is for Philly.

  • levy858

    honestly, as long as gallo gets his minutes and shots like he did last night, i really dont think Nate is as crucial and 25 minutes should be plenty fir him. Also another thing to think about. His production could drop causing him to demand less this offseason, making him more likely to stay

  • http://www.hotstovenewyork.com gozer

    25 minutes is not nothing – it’s still more than Gallo received last night. Before, Nate was essentially our starting two guard. He came off the bench but he played starting minutes and finished games. Larry Hughes has taken over that role now and this is three games in a row where he’s excelled in it. As Where2010Happens said, it makes sense that Nate’s minutes would come down in this adjusted rotation. I still love Nate’s three-point shooting and ability to break down a defense and create his own shots, but he needs to adjust to an offense where he’s just another weapon and its left to Duhon and Hughes to run things – especially in crunch time.

  • Knicker4life

    Nate should be readjusted to play more back-up point and give Duhon a little more rest. Nate’s one game as starting point was phenominal, though it was only one game.It’s obvious to see Duhon is not playing at his best right now. If Nate is groomed as a point to improve his decision making, that would be more constructive than having him compete for minutes at the two where he has to switch to guard the point on defense. Nate’s energy and scoring are valuable and needed.

  • http://www.hotstovenewyork.com gozer

    Noooooooooooooo. Don’t fall into his trap! That game in Portland was a tease. Nate is not a decision maker. He will never be a decision maker. He’s a magician with the basketball and a freak of nature. Hughes played a chunk of minutes at the point last night with Wilson moving over to shooting guard. It worked beautifully. Hughes looked great orchestrating things and distributing the ball – he’s your backup point going forward.

  • Chris Alvino

    Yeah I have to agree with Gozer. Larry Hughes is probably better suited (I cannot believe I am saying this) than Nate to be the primary backup to Duhon.

    Nate is averaging 30 minutes per game this season. Giving him 25 mpg is not a huge step down. D’Antoni has done a good job of playing the hot hand, so I expect that to continue.

  • Mucha

    Larry Hughes has played really well, Gallinari is finally getting more minutes and Chandler’s still playing yo-yo.

    Duhon is a definitely a liability down the stretch, he has so many turnovers it’s ridiculous. I don’t know if he was overachieving, if he’s just a predictable pick-and-roll player or if he’s in a serious slump.

    That’s all you need to know Chris.

  • Mucha

    The Knicks will need an oversized point guard (around 6’4) if they want to have Nate Robinson as a starter – and we’re not in a position to overpay a player if he’s coming off the bench. It wouldn’t make sense.

    The problem is, this year’ draft is filled with undersized point guards. Either Donnie Walsh rolls the dice and drafts Maynor and keeps Nate Robinson, or the little man won’t be a Knick anymore.

  • Brett Justin

    Nate Robinson’s minutes aren’t the problem…. Chris Duhon’s minutes have to be cut down the guy is showing why hes a backup i know he started off the season well but now that everyone knows what hes doing with the pick and roll and hes to slow to create off the dribble hes to predictable and down the stretch he cant be in the game unless hes hitting the three….. Gallo played real well last night and im hoping he will be seeing more minutes like that even 25+ but for me we also need nate out there this year hes playing well and does everything duhon can do x10….. Cut Duhons Minutes Bench Q like we have and jeffries is pointless to me to and give those minutes to gall/chandler etc……

  • NYKat

    Last night was the result of a the teams renewed focus on ball movement, not simply because Nate was gone.

    Gallinari had a great shooting night, which he’s obviously capable of (as is Hughes, Harrington and Chandler) he will only get better with time, but it’s not about Gallinari, it’s about the team. Chandler is the one who has been struggling with consistency, and if Gallinari should get anyone’s minutes it’s his.

    This is all much ado about nothing IMO

  • BiggieSmalls

    Rubio and Willie Warren are both 6’4″

    Stephon Curry and Jrue Holliday come in at 6’3″ but are slightly built. Jrue is probably still growing as he is 18

    Teague and Jennings are a small 6’2″ and Ty Lawson is under 6

    Warren’s game looks stupendous.

  • NyKnicksBeat

    A Fluke?? -Tommy Dee, ‘Ya Betta Than That’
    Tommy Dee from theknicksblog.com gets a huge Mark Jackson style, ‘Ya betta than that’ from me. He submitted a post that asks if Nate Robinson’s minutes should be reduced based on the Gallinari’s excellent game vs. Atlanta amidst the absence of Nate.

    Ok fine, yes, there were ‘factors’ of last night’s game that indicate the team moves the ball more fluidly with Nate but the team has moved the ball fluidly WITH Nate as well. The Knicks are extremely inconsistent with ball movement, when they move it..they win. Infact I think it’s safe to say that the Knicks share the ball the right way 41% of the time. (their winning percentage)

    How can you strip down our best player over the last 3 weeks, based on one game? Tommy Dee, ‘ya betta than that.’

    Even to post this article was ludicrous to me, and I know he protected himself by saying: “Now, I’m not one to go crazy off one performance, who knows, maybe the Hawks are the perfect match up for them.” But still, to me it’s a horrible suggestion. This team needs Nate to win. Last night was a good and needed win but it is nothing to hang your hate on. The Knicks have 3 more games up coming that they need to win against teams that are ahead of them in the standings. Without Nate, they’d be lucky to win 1/3, with Nate they have a chance to be in the playoffs by next weekend.

    Tommy I love the blog and 99% of your post, but don’t fill our fans with that non sense man, don’t you knOw how powerful you REALLY are?

    That was my response to your post on Nate, on my blog, you kind of upset me (in a good way). check me out if you can, NyKnicksBeat.Net.

    Thanks guys.

  • http://www.hotstovenewyork.com gozer

    Maybe Tommy gets it, and you do not.

  • Mucha

    I really like Warren and I hope that the Knicks will get him, but I can’t see a Robinson-Warren backcourt.

    Stephon Curry is 6’3, I like him but he’s not strong enough to make a valuable backcourt duo with Nate Robinson. And Teague and Jennings are not big enough to start along with the little man. I like Jrue Holiday but maybe he’ll not declare from what I heard.

    And Rubio means top 3 pick. He has a lot of flaws now, I know he’s very young but I would not bet on him. I have a lot of respect for euro basketball but I have a lot of doubts regarding Rubio. I’d rather have Harden with the second or third pick.

    I’m not saying that we have to keep Nate Robinson and draft a PG that’ll suit his game, but I don’t see many options at the point if Donnie Walsh wants to resign him and play him as a starter.