What Walsh Was Looking For…

by Chris Alvino on October 31st, 2009 at 12:55 pm

For those that missed Chris Duhon‘s sound bytes after last night’s game, the Knicks’ point guard had the following to say regarding last night’s loss (via Alan Hahn):

Chris Duhon rips the team: “It shows in our lay-up line, it shows before the game. That’s why we come out and we’re not ready to play.”Over the last four seasons, I have not had the opportunity to get to many Knicks’ games.  One game I did have a chance to see was the team’s pre-season matchup with the Boston Celtics before last season.  During pre-game warmups, I remember the team screwing around.  I remember Patrick Ewing Jr. trying an assortment of dunks instead of practicing an assortment of shots that he would actually take during game action.

Instead of going to Knicks’ games, I was able to see plenty of college basketball.  One game that really stands out for me was when UNC came to Boston College three years ago.  Before that game, I remember the routine that Coach Roy Williams made his team go through.  The Tar Heels did some team exercises, including one that had the team collectively diving on the floor in a synchronized fashion.  Now I cannot tell you if the Tar Heels do that before every game, but they did that night.
Tar Heels Warmups

Chris Duhon had every right to make the comments he made.  Last night, the Knicks looked terrible.  If not for the fact that the Bobcats could not score the ball, the Knicks would have been embarrassed for a second straight game.  Some of that is the coaching.  I am not going to let Coach D’Anoni and his staff get off easy.  But the biggest problem is not the coach.  At a certain point, the players have to respond and play the game the right way.  Look at D’Antoni’s facial expressions during the game.  Do you think he calls some of the offensive plays that actually take place?

Over the summer, Donnie Walsh made a strong effort to land the future hall of fame point guard, Jason Kidd.  When that ship sailed, his next target was Grant Hill.  If it was not evident what he was looking for at that time, then now it is crystal clear.  This team needs some guidance on the floor.  Over the first two games, this team has lacked focus, both offensively and defensively.

Coming into the season, Al Harington vowed to be a leader for this team.  Aside from his play in the first quarter of the Miami game where he hustled and took the ball to the rim, Harrington has not helped this team get on track.  Wilson CHandler has looked absolutely terrible during the first two games.  Can anyone believe he put a wide open corner three off the side of the backboard last night (or was it the top, I forget)?  His head is not in the game thus far.

I can go on and on about the poor play of this team, but that has gotten old… fast.  The bottom line is that this team needs more structure on the floor.  D’Antoni can only do so much.  It is time for the players to step up their focus and intensity.  Donnie Walsh was looking for a veteran to lead this team… one that would help show this team what it takes to win in this league.  Walsh did not bring that player to NY, and the Knicks are 0-2, and counting.

About Chris Alvino

Chris Alvino grew up in Crestwood, NY. He graduated from Regis High School in 2005. There he played both basketball and baseball. Chris is currently a student at Boston College, where he practices with the varsity Women's Basketball Team (... seriously). Chris has been a Knicks' fan for years and can literally talk about them all day long, every day of the week. Chris enjoys writing on this blog and seeing what everyone out there has to say about it. View all posts by Chris Alvino →
  • HaS

    Ok I really need to start being proven wrong because I’m, making myself sick. Jennings looked spectacular last night. I could stand a loss if I saw a player like that here who I knew was going to be here a while. Gallo is looking like a 6’10″ Steve Kerr or Jason Kapono completely 1-dimensional.

    The 10th pick in the draft is starting and the 8th pick can’t get 5 mins of playing time? C’mon man he can get FIVE minutes right?

  • HaS

    As far as veteran leadership, I thought everyone here was sold on the fact that the team had another year together and chemistry and that was going to make the difference?

    Would Jason Kidd or Grant Hill have made a difference in that department? Of course, but why in the world would they want to sign here? Why would LeBron want to sign here? I just don’t see it man. They didn’t draft for need and it’s debatable if they drafted best available the past 2 drafts. Now there will probably be little to no improvement this year, no playoffs and no significant upgrades. Hey why wouldn’t a max player want to come play for NY!!

    Also, can’t the coach get his team to take any opponent serious? If they look a little TOO loose on the layup line, or come out flat, can’t the coach give his player an earful? No, because the coach doesn’t take losing very seriously either, he’s too busy making jokes and laughing with the media.

  • dino2008

    Can someone explain to me this team, which is arguably the bottom 5 in basketball does not let thier number 8 pick get some burn and let him develop. Hill has potential the sky is the limit for him, but you cant reach that potential by sitting on the bench. If were going to lose 44 plus games i would much rather do so by watching a kid who could be another bosh than watch jared jeffries. IF YOU WERENT GOING TO PLAY HILL THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN JENNINGS BECAUSE DUHON IS OUT OF SHAPE TRASH…. please play Hill

  • dino2008

    lol has i wrote my comment before i even read yours. yeah man i do not get why you take jordan hill and just sit him on the bench we flat out stink.

  • itzyung1

    You people really need to stop crying over Brandon Jennings. Man Up.
    I wanted BJ more than anyone here and preached for months that he is a star.
    I still think Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas is a smarter draft than just BJ.

  • dino2008

    WHO THE HELL IS CRYING OVER BRANDON JENNINGS… all me and has said was that if your not going to play hill then you should have taken jennings. we arent saying why did u pick hill, where just asking for him to play and develop so we dont have to watch jj. please read the comments before you comment

  • Bob

    the reason JORDAN HILL is glued to the knicks bench,s that HE STINKS! The knicks made a huge mistake in taking him period,but they’re not just gonna come out and say that are they?they made a mistake,and there is nothing they can do about it now.so JORDAN HILL will just sit on the bench,and next year or the year after that,they will cut him and like frank williams and michael sweetney people will stop asking about them and they will just fade away

  • Eduardo15

    I know, I completely agree with you HaS.

  • Eduardo15

    The only things I see in him that reminds me of Bosh are his hair and that duffus look on the face.

  • itzyung1

    You and HaS aren’t the only ones constantly bringing Jennings up, and I read your comments and it seems like you are crying over not having him.

  • bockersORbriefs

    B/T/W Bob, Frank Williams was actually pretty decent against the Nets in the last palyoffs the Knicks were in. He could penetrate better than Du-NON and, I think, was a tougher overall player. Isaiah included him in the Curry trade baack to his hometown Chicago & he kinda faded into oblivion from there. Think he also had some personal family issues going on. But, I think if he developed here he would be better than Du-NON right now!

  • J_Starks3

    I think that ALL of the blame should go to the coaching staff. Last year Mike D was making a “team chemistry coaching decision” when he decided to sit Marbury when he was clearly the best option for our starting pg. Why does he get off so easily when this team has played so poorly??? The shot selection is KILLING ME SOFTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is up to the coach to call a time out and chew out the player that takes a bad shot (like Nate on a 1 vs 4 fast break) and maybe sit him for a few minutes.

    I understand that this is OUR team and we should be behind it but enough is enough with Mike D, he needs to step up and take command of this team.

  • Bob

    my point was that ,i dont know where these guys get that JORDAN HILL has the potential to be another chris bosh,thats ridiculous!this is typical new york knicks propeganda.they pick a guy 8th pick in the draft,and when he does’nt work out ,they give you this crap about “potential down the road”.oh yeah ,thats why hes on the bench,cuz he has potential!CHRIST,renaldo balkman,played some as a rookie,this guy hill aint even gonna be as good as BALKMAN,IF he was ,hed be playing

  • bockersORbriefs

    But with the “7 secs or less” phylosophy, it’s easy for N8 or anyone else on the team to drift into taking BAD shots. One of the basic flaws in that strategy emerges when the Knicks get behind. They still continue shooting so quickly that, when there’s a miss, the other team usually gets fast breaks or mismatches and the deficit increases in a blink. Perfect example was the last few mins of the 1st half vs. Miami. They went from tied to down 10 in about 90 seconds as they kept missing quick shots. Of course the coach that “everyone wants to play for” never thought of callng time out!

  • HaS

    Well if there is any crying, it is because Jordan Hill IS here AND ON THE BENCH collecting dust and cobwebs.

    I actually dropped the whole Jennings debate/argument a while back, but I saw someone mention his near triple double in his 1st game as a rookie and I commented on it, Not that I need to explain myself to you. :-)

    And why is Jordan Hill and Toney Douglas a smarter draft than just BJ? That remains to be seen, but unless Hill turns into Hakeem Olajuwon I don’t think he’s going to be the star that Jennings will be. Only because the guards get more of the spotlight than the big men. In the same way that Quarterbacks, Running Backs and Wide Receivers get more shine than Defensive Lineman or Linebackers most times.

    My only gripe is that the Knicks didn’t NEED Hill, which is obvious from the fact that he can’t even get into a blowout game for a 30+ win team. If Jennings WERE here he’d be contributing right away.

    Hopefully Hill turns into at least Otis Thorpe or Kurt Thomas and will be around for a while, right now it looks bleak. That could change once a new coach is in place and wants to go to a more traditional lineup.

  • dino2008

    everyone said that hill was the best player available…….. and he was. he needs time to develop. it takes BIG MEN a lot more time to develop than guards its a known fact.