Category Archives: regular season recaps
In the past five seasons, my spot for a Knick game was at the Garden as a SportsTicker reporter. I was hoping to maintain some presence at Knick games for another outlet that was better than the Ticker but it was not to be though I filled in at two Sunday games for Metro.
Before those years, I’d have probably watched on TV but over the years of commuting I have developed a keen ability to follow sporting events on radio and since it was 45 degrees in mid-January, it was nice enough to go for a hike/walk in a park while listening intently to the Knick game, which always is a pleasure with John Andariese.
The walk took virtually the entire length of an NBA game with a few breaks to rest and throughout it, I heard the ebbs and flows that often occur in games. I heard the Knicks fall down 7-0, then the Knicks woke up and took a 14-point lead at the break.
As often occurs with sub-500 teams, that lead quickly evaporates. I think I had walked three miles when it started and I could only shake my head and roll my eyes as the Pistons went up 68-64 late in the third. An 11-point third quarter made me scratch my head and wonder what the heck happened.
The walk continued and so did the Knicks. They overcame their third quarter failures and gradually took control. It sounded very good on the radio, probably looked better on my HD-TV, but when the weather is nice, I’m stepping outside to follow the game on the radio.
What I liked: I liked a number of things. I liked that Wilson Chandler was involved early (17 points, 7-of-12 from the floor) with half of his shots coming in the first quarter when 7-0 Pistons eerily resembled 14-3 Raptors from Friday. Listening, you could tell how well Nate Robinson was playing as he scored 27 points (his third game of at least 20 points since re-joining the rotation). I also liked hearing Jordan Hill hit three baskets in his 14 minutes. Jonathan Bender’s comeback from knee surgery is a nice story but frankly it should stunt the progress of a lottery pick. Finally, I liked the fact the Knicks won without much offense from David Lee. Lee had played all but 46, 48 and 44 minutes in the previous three games so it seemed that he might be fatigued and even if he was, the line of 11 points and 15 rebounds is more than respectable. And the fact that he took just 10 shots doesn’t deter the Knicks from winning. The Knicks have won the last four times that has been the case.
What I didn’t like: Last year in this game, Chris Duhon stood outside his locker and discussed how he scored 19 points while battling back spasms. As far as I know, no such injury exists for Duhon but in our previous post, would his performance cut into his minutes. He went scoreless in 20 minutes, producing a similar stat line in the home-and-home. In previous games where he barely scored, Duhon still played major minutes, but might there be a change in minutes distribution.
21 Turnovers. Jarrett Jack going off for 29 and Danny Granger going off for 22. No shotblocking presence in the paint. 7 missed free throws in a 2 point loss. Oh, did I mention the 21 turnovers?
David Lee had a nice game, putting up 26 points on 12 of 15 shooting along with 11 rebounds. Lee also had 3 assists and 5 steals. Harrington had a decent game as well, but he also had some terrible, and I mean terrible, turnovers. Overall, the team was sloppy. Duhon played well, but he tried to force too many passes. On that last play, Duhon also gave Jack too much room to shoot. He almost looked like he was trying to keep him from getting to the hoop. Without a decent shotblocker, I can see why.
For the Pacers, Troy Murhpy had a good game along with Jack and Granger. Murphy grabbed 18 boards and was very active in the paint. But overall, it was Jack that was the killer. From the outset when Jack hit his first three shots from beyond the arc, Jack showed that he was prime for a big game.
My impression was that the Knicks did not play that well. They still seem to be missing something. Clearly they need a shotblocker and they need another guard. But there seemed to be something else missing. They still need a leader. Duhon comes close to being that. Harrington is a bit too erratic to be a true leader on the court. They need a guy who will step up on defense down the stretch. They need a guy who will step up and stop a guy from killing them, a Ron Artest type. I have called for Artest countless times, but this season (and probably in seasons after this one) he is not coming to NY. Maybe Raja Bell can be that guy if the Knicks can nab him. Who knows?
Tough loss for the Knicks, especially with the Celtics coming to town on Sunday. Not to be a pessimist, but that has loss written all over it. Also, look for the Marbury to Boston talk to continue through Sunday.
Unfortunately, for Knick fans this isn’t fun basketball. When you can’t make shots, you can’t
impose your will on the game.
After three games, the Knicks’ struggles are apparent, along with the frustrations of both the fans and head coach Mike D’Antoni.
It’s apparent that what D’Antoni needs to execute his fun and gun offense are athletes up front and when you consider that David Lee and Zach Randolph won’t blow you away athletically, the fact that they are often stuck to the floor prohibits second shots offensively.
This is no means to point the finger solely on the men up front, they have worked hard, but they are over matched at the 4-5.
Throw into the fact that the team is really struggling shooting the ball, and you have a situation that is cause for concern.
Jamal Crawford (0-6, 1 point) was lost tonight, and here I am thinking he’s going to bust out of the Marbury shadow. The most apparent and maddening thing about Jamal is that if his shot isn’t falling he does nothing else to help his team win (4 assists, 0 rebounds, 0 steals). That is the very definition of one-dimensional.
Thank goodness for horrendous team free throw shooting from the Bucks (18-30) and a spirited effort by Quentin Richardson (28 points), or this thing could have been much uglier.
The Bucks (2-2) were led by Ramon Sessions and Richard Jefferson (18 each) in a balanced scoring attack that saw six players score in double figures.
The Knicks return to action Wednesday night at home against Larry Brown and the Bobcats.
The Milwaukee Bucks (1-2) enter the Garden tonight on the back end of a two game stretch that
saw them fall last night to the Raptors 91-89. The team has shown a balanced offensive attack with all five starters averaging double figures led by Michael Redd (23ppg) and a yet another team with shot-blocking prowess led by Andrew Bogut (1.0 bpg). However, looking at the team’s stats, it appears to be a good match- up for the Knicks, who are looking to bounce back from a 29-point drubbing at the hands of the 76ers Friday night.
Rumors a swirling that Zach Randolph may miss the game with a knee, so the team, already thin up front, will have to find a way to pick up the scoring and rebounding load.
Chris Duhon, and the Knick guards, will have their hands full tonight with rising star Ramon “school’s in” Sessions, who comes into the game with an impressive 4.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and orchestrating the offense with 9 assists-per-game to go along with his 12 points.
This game will have to be won on the perimeter as the Bucks are allowing opponents to shoot 41% from behind the arc on 11 attempts. The Knicks are averaging 30% on 25 attempts.
The Bucks can be handled on the boards, meaning the Knicks should be able to get second opportunities, something they didn’t get many of in Philly. The Knicks have allowed an average of 54 rebounds per game, and the Bucks come in grabbing 36 per contest. If Randolph goes, that number should be a major factor.
Rookie Joe Alexander has yet to see any action in the team’s first 3 games, but may be called on tonight on the second night of back-to-back games.
So what happens when a jump shooting team, to a man, struggles to make a shot? Hopefully it
tries to drive to the basket. What happens when the team they are playing can defend the basket?
They get blown out.
End of story, really.
This is what we talked about when we meant balance. For those of you who want to hold on to your exciting young players instead of getting someone to guard the rim you’d have a tough time being taken seriously by intelligent NBA executives. Granted, guys like Sam Dalembert are hard to come by, but they are game changers.
Two games without a blocked shot, the Sixers had 7, and about 5 more “hurries” even when Dalembert and Elton Brand (3 blocks) weren’t even in the game.
The talk may be about Marbury, but the real problem with this team is the lack of presence at the rim, something Donnie Walsh has always stressed.
I’ll bet Coach D’Antoni, who’s already showed to be a bit testy, will be begging for a big soon.
The Knicks shot 32% from the field and a putrid 25% from the 3-point line. Jamal Crawford “led” the team with 14, while Brand had 24.
The Knicks (1-1) return to action Sunday against the Bucks.
I recall the look on Jamal Crawford’s face at Media Day when all the reporters were surrounding 
Stephon Marbury. It was one of “hey guys, I’m here too…”
Last night Crawford was everywhere and made as loud a statement early on in the game as Mike D’Antoni did in benching Marbury.
Contrary to published reports, the chants of “we want Steph” came from a small section of the Garden and were quickly drowned by boos, it’s not like the whole crowd was ignoring the team’s strong effort. In fact, if there is one player who can get to where D’Antoni thinks he can get to without Marbury, it’s Jamal.
Let’s face it, they are really similar players and there’s only room for one on any team.
It’s a great start for the D’Antoni era, the rotation was tight and it was nice to see Danilo Gallinari, whom D’Antoni matched with Shaun Livingston defensively and the kid held his own. The second jumper looked pure and just missed short, as he gets more time he’ll show off his stroke.
“I thought was in,” he said later, “because it came out real nice from my hand.” The kid is confident. He was lost a little in his 3-plus minutes, but I’ll have no problem rooting for him.
Wilson Chandler was tremendous and Quentin Richardson had the most quite 16 you’ll ever get.
All in all a great start.
