Recap: Jazz 112 Knicks 104

by Tommy Dee on March 30th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

BOX SCORE
SHOT CHART

Execute: to perform properly or skillfully the fundamentals of a sport or of a particular play.

“I’ve never had a team execute better” — Bobby Knight

Once again, the Knicks proved down the stretch that they don’t have the wherewithal to execute down the stretch when games are won and lost and it cost them yet another chance to win a ballgame.

I’ve been on Coach D’Antoni a bit to involve more post plays in late game sets, even if it’s the high post, but the team continues to force the pick and roll and in a critical time of the game, Wilson Chandler forced a pass, leading to a Ronnie Brewer dunk.

The team went through 5 or 6 poor possessions before going to Al Harrington in the post with just over 3 minutes to play but by then it was too late.

I’m just a big proponent in the half court,  when outcomes (and big games) are decided, of starting the ball inside and letting it move outside. Of course, if you have a point guard who can orchestrate like Deron Williams, it doesn’t really matter. Williams, however, made sure Paul Milsap and Carlos Boozer got touches on the block late and that started some pretty inside/out action that led to open shots.

This is not to knock Mike D’Antoni’s system. Not yet anyway. Once the team started to play a shred of defense they scored very easily. But the coach and the GM I’m sure know that a post player is a desperate need for this group and you can bet they’ll secure one sooner than later.

The Knicks did a great job of getting to the line, but it’s the lack of defensive effort that has to be most troubling. It’s inexcusable across the board that they were that ineffective in the first half and part of the 3rd when they found themselves down 24.

If they are going to be that lacksidasical, the coach would be better off playing Courtney Sims and Joe Crawford.

Harrington, who we’ve begged to take it to the rack all season instead of settling for 3s, finally did in the 2nd half and paced the Knicks with 24. Williams had 24 points and 13 assists for the Jazz, who executed well down the stretch proving why they are a perennial playoff team.

The Knicks return to action tomorrow night against the Nuggets.

(AP Photo/Steve C. Wilson)
  • BiggieSmalls

    COME ON GOLDEN STATE!!!

  • Mucha

    GREAT scenario. I already had love for Al Harrington but now he’s the Black Jesus. We didn’t hurt our draft position and we still got unpredictable Knicks entertainment. You gotta love it. Great game by Jared Jeffries and David Lee looked better than Paul Millsap – I still like Millsap.

  • BiggieSmalls

    Loved Jeffries Play tonite.

    I wonder if the announcers are consciously talking him up to boost his trade value.

    What is better than a good conspiracy theory.

    Seriously. JJ could be a nice piece for 22 minutes a nite as long as he limits his shots. At 6 and change mil he isnt terribly over priced as an 7th/8th man.

  • BiggieSmalls

    And Curry doubled his minutes on the year.

    Too bad I missed the first half.

    Seven hole minutes. In the thin air of Utah. let’s see him get some more minutes in mile high tomorrow.

    get the oxygen out.

  • Jeff Cykiert

    You said it: Our execution (or lack thereof) was pitiful tonight. We have some guys who can run and shoot and pass so we are able to get hot and stay in games like this, but when it comes down to the stretch and you have to play ‘SMART’ basketball, everyone looks lost. No one knows who to trust, or who should make the play. Whenever somebody gets the ball its like you can see them looking at the rim and thinking “should i do it?”

    Wilson is turning into a great wing player, but his weakest attribute is his mind. I read somewhere that he doesn’t know how to react to what a defense is doing, or what his teammates are doing; he just decides what move to make and makes it. I think that part of his game can develop easily though.

    It seems like that is a common flaw amongst the roster, which is why we can’t execute. A post player is vital because, lets be honest, we have ONE PF/C on our entire rotation in David Lee, but i still think that a player who is smart and we can trust with the ball running the offense is our biggest need right now. (A true point guard who is sweet.)