Pacers at Knicks Game Thread

by Tommy Dee on January 3rd, 2010 at 5:48 pm

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So can the Knicks go 2-0 in 2010? As we always talk about, these are the games they must win at home if the team wants to make the playoffs.

For me the Nate situation is simple. He needs to stay focused. He has a million dollar incentive should the team make the playoffs and if he can continue to get past his man and make the defense react then he helps this team.

As Alan Hahn noted, Nate reportedly turned down a deal that would have sent him to the surprising (not to me) Grizzlies. Which is amazing when you consider his agent eventually demanded a trade.

Big game for the Knicks tonight, and I guess there won’t be a need for any “We want Nate” chants.
  • ds2488

    Even though I said it about the Nets loss, I am going to say it again and hope for the best. This is a must win game. Not to say that I hope Nate struggles, but I would like to see how he reacts to a tough shooting night and whether he can truly make players around him better, particularly on drive and dishes to Gallo. Lets go Knicks!! It will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts.

  • Mucha

    Jim O’Brien : “AJ Price will not get better if he’s sitting on the bench”

    That’s what I’m talking about, take notes!

    Good to see Nate Robinson back – I think he’s the best long-term backcourt option for the Knicks.

    Good start by Lee and Gallinari, I like to see him move without the ball a la Allen – he’s so good when he’s proactive. He seems to be more comfartable at home though.

  • Mucha

    OMG Gallo

    Hahahaha DAYMN

  • Hydr0

    I know Jeffries is great defensively, but they should not even pass him the ball on offense…ever.

  • Hydr0

    You’ve gotta love how Nate pushes the ball when he’s in there.

  • slambam

    Knicks are playing great, but i hate how Nate never looks for Gallo, ever. He’s always done it an it confuses me, gallo started hot but he’s not touching the rock anymore.

  • Boots

    Back to the same old, same old. Nate comes in, six minutes of the 2nd quarter and Gallo hasn’t gotten a touch.

    Same old Nate, pass it to Al or take the shot. Great when they are on, but when they aren’t . . .

    But then, didn’t Nate say that he was going to be the same old Nate?

  • Boots

    Duhon comes back in, touch and goal by Gallo.

  • Mucha

    Well :

    1. Last year, Robinson was looking for Gallinari more than Duhon.

    2. Nate and Al killed the ball movement and ignored Gallo and the other players but the lead is still comfortable – from a pragmatic perspective they actually did a good job.

    3. It just shows that Duhon’s the only point guard on the roster.

  • Boots

    Six minutes without a touch for Gallo when Nate is in, look what happens when Duhon comes back.

    What is Nate’s problem with Gallo? Or is it that he has a mancrush on Harrington?

  • Mucha

    It was ugly though, I agree. Gallo plays well with Lee, Chandler and Duhon/Hughes (when the ball is moving) he shouldn’t be playing with Nate and Harrington.

  • illmatix

    The starting five really has it going tonight

  • Chris Alvino

    To sum up the first half:
    The Knicks played as well as the Pacers played poor.

    The Knicks were at the peak and the Pacers were at rock bottom.

  • itzyung1

    In Mike We trust but if J Hill doesn’t get any minutes tonight we got a problem.

  • Boots

    I would say that Chandler has finally recovered from his off-season surgery.

  • CircleLimit4

    D’antoni better give out garbage minutes, we’re practically playing the Pacers garbage squad anyway.

  • Mucha

    Chris Duhon is playing EXCEPTIONALLY well and I’m not even looking at the 3PA-M, he deserves credit for real. He was the worst point guard in the NBA at one point – and man did I criticize him – but he’s playing really well.

    And Wilson Chandler is so good when he’s attacking the basket. I’ll keep my mouth shut from now on, I was asking for Bayless etc considering the logjam at the 3/4 spots because Will was really not playing well… but I’ll give the benefit of the doubt and call him a keeper. And I like the fact that Will and Gallo play well together.

  • Realist_Knick_Fan

    There is a Jordan Hill sighting in the game – the only question is whether he can twitter while playing?

  • CircleLimit4

    He can’t get within 5 feetof the basket with Hibbert there but he’s hitting his 15 foot jumper.

  • Boots

    Interesting. Did anybody read anything about the usual fine for such, or any other club or league acknowledgement that Hill did tweet during half time?

  • run-tmc

    Mid 4th – Knicks have only 6 turnovers.
    Helluva win.

  • Mucha

    True – I think he just needs to be more confident.

  • DVJ

    No love for coach tonight?

  • JASONHAYES

    Jordan Hill does not look like he will become much of anything to me. Sets weak screens, cant get within 8 feet of the basket, cant rebound, pretty much looks non factor to me. Yes, I see he can hit jumpshots, but im sure everyone drafted in the second round can hit jumpers too. This kid is not working on his game like he should.

  • Mucha

    He’s a hard-worker but he looked kinda lost/out-of-control. The fact that he’s not playing much is the biggest factor in my opinion. He played well in his Junior season, he was a good rebounder and a good defender in college – he just needs to calm down. He has bad hands though.

  • CircleLimit4

    Very little body control and awareness, that’s something that he can improve on though as he gets more game experience. He has the physical tools, he just needs to learn how to use them. I like the motor though.

    Not looking like an 8th pick, but I’m glad he’s out there.

  • CircleLimit4

    I’ll give love to the injury gods on this one. D’antoni didn’t have a whole lot to do with this one.