Author Archives: Tommy Dee
After missing Monday night’s 111-108 overtime win against Torontowith a sore left knee, Washington Wizards starting forward Rashard Lewis participated only lightly in workouts on Tuesday afternoon and said he was uncertain of his status for Wednesday night’s game against the New York Knicks.
Lewis participated in the shoot-around following practice, taking jumpers and jogging around the auxillary court at Verizon Center. Lewis has missed three games this season, all with knee soreness. Monday’s game, though, was the first he missed because of discomfort in his left knee.
The decision to scratch Lewis, 32, from the lineup apparently came shortly before tip-off, when the club announced rookie Chris Singleton would be starting. Coach Randy Wittman did not indicate during his pregame session with the media Lewis would be out.
The Knicks need to keep the momentum going in Washington. Having Lewis out will counter the lack of Melo and Amar’e.
Plus he’s done 500 interviews on MSG.
I’m watching the game in more detail right now and there is obviously a lot to love about the team’s pace and space. Obviously, not having the two stars is a storyline, but the real story is players with something to prove playing extremely hard and sometimes that is enough to build a huge lead.
You cannot say enough about Steve Novak coming in and making shots. You also can’t say enough about the way Landry Fields has stepped his game up. You can’t say enough about Jared Jeffries‘ effort.
And you can’t even begin to talk about the play of Jeremy Lin. The scary thing about Lin is that he’s only going to get better. Meaning less mistakes and more assists.
Be excited Knicks fans, things are getting better.
When: 7:30
Where: MSG
Network: MSG
Knicks (9-15)
PG: Jeremy Lin
SG: Landry Fields
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Jared Jeffries
C: Tyson Chandler
Bench: Douglas, Walker, Jeffries, (hopefully D’Antoni makes adjustments here)
JAZZ (13-9)
PG: Harris
SG: Bell
SF: Hayward
PF: Milsap
C: Jefferson
Our thoughts and prayers are with Amar’e and his family at this time of tragedy.
I talk to a lot of agents and scouts throughout the process of evaluating talent and 
whether it be local or big time college, Europe or D-Leaguers the overriding thought is that opportunities are just impossible to come by in the NBA.
It’s hard enough to crack an NBA 15 player roster, but to make the rotation and stick?
Impossible.
I heard a ton of talk about why Mike D’Antoni wasn’t playing Jeremy Lin and I scoffed at the notion. It’s simple. His job is on the line. He expected more from Toney Douglas (you know the guy first off the bench to celebrate FOR Lin), who will still have a major impact on this team I believe, and probably asked too much from Shumpert, who has struggled of late. And he’s not providing the defense that he came into the league with the reputation of having. I think Shump should guard 2s and 3s, not PGs. Did you see him on Paul Pierce the other night?
I give D’Antoni great credit for calling Lin’s number. He has a history of giving guys an opportunity and listening to his staff. They did the same with Shawne Williams last year when Williams was practicing at a high level. It’s reward for effort.
Lin provides a different element and the thinking from D’Antoni, I assume, was that he felt Baron Davis was closer than he actually was.
Many may think calling on Lin was an act of desperation from a coach whose seat is on the front burner and on HIGH. Maybe, but I give him credit for trusting a player that he seems to like in his system at a time where he had one foot out the door.
But the bottom line is that Lin has an opportunity that so many pray for on a nightly basis that you just can’t begin to imagine his good fortune.
Something tells me Lin understands this all too well.
TKB welcomes Ryan Wallace, who worked for the Knicks’ basketball ops on Matt Harding’s staff for 8 years. Ryan was responsible for compiling data the team would use in scouting reports. Here are his notes on: the Jazz.
Offense: Utah wants to pound the ball inside. They are very deep on the frontline. Utah is last in the league in three point field goal percentage at 29.3%. Utah takes very good care of the ball which results in them being second to last in the league in turnovers.
Defense: Utah is very strong in the paint as they are top ten in the league in both blocks and rebounds. It will be very tough to score in the paint so you must be able to shoot from the outside to beat this team.
Players
Al Jefferson: (18.5ppg; 9.2rpg; 1,6bpg)Al is a presence in the paint both offensively and defensively. Very adept at scoring with his back to the basket. Will shoot both baby hooks and turnaround jumpers in the post.
Paul Millsap: (16.8ppg; 9.5rpg)Gets most of his buckets off of cuts and offensive rebounds. Shoots 53% from the field. Gets over 3 offensive rebounds per game.
CJ Miles: (10.1 ppg)Versatile wing can play multiple positions on offense and defense. Can shoot out to the three point line.
Gordon Hayward: (9.5ppg; 3.2apg)Nice mid range game will also play multiple positions on the wing.
Josh Howard: (9.4ppg)Has played only 3 games for Utah but is seeing significant minutes as a guy who can play multiple positions and really defend.
Devin Harris: (8.9ppg; 4.5apg) Off to a rough start shooting the ball. Devin has also missed a game with a hamstring.
Derrick Favors: (8ppg; 6rpg)Physical big man who can rebound and score. Has a nice touch in the paint but not much range.
Earl Watson: (4.1ppg; 4.8apg)Veteran backup point guard coming off of a huge game versus the Lakers. Very smart player, don’t be surprised if he sees most of the minutes at the point.
Enes Kanter: (5.3ppg; 5rpg)Has nice post moves and plays physical defense. Getting his numbers in only 14 minutes per game.
Raja Bell: (5.9ppg)Lockdown defender. Will guard the other teams best player.
Keys to Victory
-Limit the post touches for Utah. Every big man that comes in for The Jazz can put the ball in the basket as well as rebound.
-On offense must get ball movement and knockdown jumpers. You will not get many second chances against this team so you have to make the ones you get count.
-Utah will play a very physical grind it out style of game. Have to be up to fight for every possession.
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