New York Sports Fan Blog

The New York Knicks sadly lost the first game of the second series. Needless to say the Knicks needed to win game 2 against the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks played well making the shots and clinching the lead when they needed to. The Knicks came to play, Carmelo Anthony drained an outstanding 32 points, which he should be doing every game of the playoffs. Iman Shumpert had an outstanding game as well with 15 points. This man loves to ball out and make plays. As a knicks fan i really love having Shumpert he can play from anywhere on the court, and in game 2 of the series he made some outstanding plays. Raymond Felton as always puts up the points he supposed to be, he ended the game with 14 points.

The Knicks began the third trailing the Pacers 64-62. That’s when the knicks began to play some ball, they went on a 30-2 run bridging the third and fourth periods. This run that the knicks had put them ahead 92-66, exactly what we needed. This demoralized the Pacers, they had no chance of coming back. The Knicks had all the momentum and kept it. The final score of the game was 105-79 in Madison Square Garden (MSG).

Game three will be held in Indiana with Amare Stoudemire being back.

The first half of the season ended on somewhat of a down note for the Knicks, as they dropped 2 out of 3 contests heading into the all-star break. The Knicks went 8-1 before heading into the final stretch of the first half to get back into contention, but then sputtered a bit heading into the break.

Is it a coincidence that Carmelo Anthony returned to the starting lineup just before the skid began? The answer is unclear. But there is an entire second half to play, and we will learn what this team is made of very soon after play resumes.

The Knicks defeated the Hawks in impressive fashion before heading down to Miami to face the Heat in the first half finale, but stumbled down the stretch and often looked significantly inferior to the current number 1 seed in the east. They just didn’t look quite ready to take their play to the next level, but there is still a lot of time for them to do so, and they will have stiff competition to test them before the playoffs.

The Knicks open the second half of the season on Wednesday at home against the Cavaliers before going on the road to face the Celtics, the Mavericks, the Spurs, and the Bucks, a five game stretch that could really tell the world what this team brings to the table. They then return home for one game against the division leading 76ers before heading to Chicago to face the current number 2 seeded Bulls.

This 7 game stretch is important both for the Knicks’ record as well as the team’s confidence. If the Knicks can manage to win 4 out of these 7 games, they will have survived their toughest test so far this season and could gain a lot of confidence heading into the season’s final months.

The schedule does not get a whole lot easier after these 7 games, as the Knicks will have to face the Pacers twice, the Bulls two more times, the 76ers, Heat, Hawks, Clippers, Magic, and Celtics one more time each before the regular season ends.

The Knicks will have to win the games in between against inferior teams in order to have a chance at being considered a legitimate contender this season, and will also have to win several of these key match ups in order to feel confident at a chance to do some damage in the post season.

Overall, the Knicks are in a position to make a run. The All-Star break provided a much needed break for some of the Knicks’ key players, like Amar’e Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert, who have looked out of sorts at times due to the condensed schedule and increased frequency of big games. That being said, we will finally be able to see what this team can do with a fresh slate, a healthy team, and a formidable schedule the rest of the way.

After a tough loss to the Nets on Monday night, the Knicks find themselves below .500 at 16-17 going into a pivotal match up tonight with the Atlanta Hawks. This is a must win game for the Knicks, as they have a very tough stretch of games ahead of them that could make or break the season.

The Hawks will be without star shooting guard Joe Johnson, so the Knicks will look to capitalize on his absence. Johnson’s injury is even more important because the Knicks will again be without rookie Iman Shumpert, who has established himself as the team’s best perimeter defender. The Knicks will be looking to avenge the bad loss to the Nets and get back to .500 before heading down to Miami on Thursday for a huge match up with the conference leading Heat to close out the first half of the season.

After the All Star break, the light at the end of the tunnel for the Knicks will still be nowhere in sight. After a home game against Cleveland on February 29, the Knicks will hit the road for a 4 game road trip against very stiff competition, and have 6 straight tough games overall.

They will begin the road trip in Boston, and then travel to Dallas where the Mavericks will certainly be looking to avenge their recent loss at Madison Square Garden. It doesn’t get any easier, as they will leave Dallas just to head to San Antonio, where the Spurs will surely be licking their chops before facing a Knick team that will surely be fatigued after facing the Celtics and Mavs consecutively, and all the travel time in between. After the Texas tour concludes, the Knicks will head to Milwaukee, where they always seem to have a tough time, even though the Bucks are currently 6 games under .500.

After the tough road trip, the Knicks will return home to face the division leading 76ers, who they did defeat earlier in the season, but this Sixer team looks like a force to be reckoned with coming down the stretch.

The tough 6 game stretch concludes with a road game in Chicago where the Bulls will most likely have Derrick Rose back from his injury.

This is certainly do or die time for the Knicks, and it is coming upon them very quickly. They will need to get the chemistry between Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, and recent stud Jeremy Lin working immediately, and there is no time for excuses if mistakes occur.

The Knicks need to rack up as many W’s as possible in order to get a decent seed in the playoffs, and it all starts tonight against the Hawks.

Yes. They can. This New York Knicks team, although sporting a measly .500 record as of today, is playing like a group who is starting to mesh at the right time, much like the Giants did in their magical Super Bowl run.

Although we will not have a clear indication as to how well the team will do until Carmelo Anthony returns to the starting lineup tonight against the Nets, it is reasonable for one to think that this team has a bright future, and that the sky is the limit starting right now.

The emergence of Jeremy Lin as a quality point guard has helped the team gel, as Mike D’Antoni’s run and gun offense is virtually useless without a point guard who can pass effectively and get the ball to the team’s primary scorers. Lin has certainly answered D’Antoni’s prayers to the ball movement gods as he has averaged over 20 points and 7 assists per game since his first start against the Jazz.

The popular question these days though, has been whether or not Carmelo Anthony will fit into the mix. My answer: why not? With a solid point guard now running the offense in New York, it will give Anthony a chance to play off the ball, and will give him a better opportunity to catch passes for open looks. As long as Anthony can play unselfishly, there is no reason why this team cannot be very dangerous come playoff time. The addition of J.R. Smith will also prove to be important, as he, like Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire is true scorer. At the end of the day, Jeremy Lin really couldn’t have asked for a better set of teammates to help him get his career started.

The most important thing for the Knicks, however, is depth. They have created their own depth from within with the emergence of Lin, as well as the stellar play of Steve Novak, who has averaged over 12 points per game since his minutes were increased. He has hit big three after big three, including one against Dallas late on Sunday which he celebrated by showing off his “discount double check” belt move made famous by Packers’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Knicks also have valuable, young assets in Landry Fields and Iman Shumpert, who are only getting better and better game by game. The acquisition of J.R. Smith will also take pressure off of the young guards, especially come playoff time.

Another key ingredient to the recipe for success of this years Knicks team is veteran point guard Baron Davis, who has yet to see the court this year due to injury. Once he gets back on his feet, he will prove to be a valuable back up to Lin, even if it is only for this one season.

Defensively, Tyson Chandler and Jared Jeffries have been getting the job done. The Knicks are allowing around 11 fewer points per game than they did a year ago, and this is no coincidence. Jeffries has distinguished himself as one of the best in the league at drawing charges in the paint, and Chandler already has a ring to show for his defensive tenacity.

Overall, the Knicks appear to be heading in the right direction. With new star Jeremy Lin running the offense and passing to the likes of Stoudemire, Anthony, and J.R. Smith, the team should not have much trouble scoring close to a hundred points per game or more from here on out. Defensively, the team is much improved, and showed it with a win over the reigning NBA champions this past Sunday. If all goes well, the Knicks could have their own title to defend come 2013.

With the 2011 NBA Draft only three weeks away (June 23rd in Newark, NJ), New York Knicks management is hard at work conducting individual workouts and weighing their options as to who they will select with the 17th overall pick. The Knicks needs as draft day approaches are very clear: size, size, and more size. It is well known that Amare Stoudemire is most effective when playing the power-forward position, and he has repeatedly expressed a desire to play alongside a true big-man in order to keep him out of foul trouble and allow him roam around defensively and help from the weak side.

Unfortunately, the Knicks have little to no cap space to put towards a center this summer, as the top young centers on the market — the best probably being the Sacramento King’s Samuel Dalembert — will be looking for big money and long-term contracts. The other piece of bad news is that this year’s draft is somewhat thin on centers (aren’t they all). 6-11 Turkish center Enes Kanter and 6-11 Lithuanian big-man Jonas Valanciunas have gotten great reviews from team owners and draft experts, but it will be almost impossible for the Knicks to make a pass at either of them, as they are both predicted to be picked in the top 8. What will most likely have to happen if the Knicks do in fact draft with the goal of improving their size and length (it is always a possibility that they go with a guard, possibly Kansas’ Josh Selby — scratch that, when you’re talking about the Knicks, anything is a possibility), is that the team will select the best 6-9 to 6-10 player available when the 17th pick rolls around (Klay Thompson, Marcus Morris, Kenneth Faried, Jordan Hamilton) and hope Ronny Turiaf can provide enough minutes to keep Stoudemire at the 4 for the majority of games. So in the end, and as much as it hurts me to say this, how well the Knicks do next year will in large part (too large) be determined by the play of Ronny Turiaf, or whoever New York decides to start at center alongside Amare.

Now for some good news — the first piece being that I am almost positive that Knicks fans will not allow for Jared Jeffries to ever step on a basketball court wearing a Knicks jersey ever again. Don’t get me wrong, Ronny Turiaf is no Dwight Howard, but he’s also no Jared Jeffries, which means he’s not one of the top-5 worst players to ever play in the NBA. The other good news is that the 17th pick in the NBA Draft has produced some fine players in the recent past, which, although it doesn’t really mean anything substantial, can’t be a bad thing. Right? Well here are a few of them anyway. Call it wishful thinking…

2009. Jrue Holliday (UCLA) – Philadelphia 76ers
2008. Roy Hibbert (Georgetown) – Toronto Raptors (Traded to Indiana)
2006. Shawne Williams (Memphis) – Indiana Pacers
2005. Danny Granger (New Mexico) – Indiana Pacers
2004. Josh Smith (Oak Hill Academy, VA) – Atlanta Hawks
2000.Desmond Mason (Oklahoma State) – Seattle SuperSonics
1996. Jermaine O’Neal (Eau Claire HS) – Portland Trail Blazers
1992. Doug Christie (Pepperdine) – Seattle SuperSonics
1989. Shawn Kemp (Trinity Valley CC) – Seattle SuperSonics

For the third time this offseason the Knicks have been linked to the acquisition of a superstar. This time that player is Carmello Anthony. While the idea of Anthony coming to New York isn’t really new, speculation has heated up.

Anthony, to the Nuggets dismay, has not jumped at the $65 million three-year contract extension offered to him over a month ago. With a new CBA looming that could be the best contract Mello gets, so by leaving the offer on the table Anthony is giving a big indication to the Nuggets that he will not re-sign with them.

The Nuggets seem to have gotten the message and, in trying to avoid what happened to Cleveland this summer, the Nuggets are starting to shop their star small forward.

It is widely believed that Mello’s top destination would be New York. He grew up in the area, recently got married there, and would love to play with Stoudemire in the big market.

While the decision isn’t up to him, the Knicks have the assets to get him. It has been reported that the Knicks will offer Danillo Gallinari, Eddy Curry and his expiring contract, and a 2014 first round pick. It might take a little more than that to get him, perhaps Bill Walker or Wilson Chandler, but that should not be a problem for New York.

If they are able to work out this trade they would have completed their goal of acquiring two superstars and, alongside the additions of Raymond Felton and Anthony Randolph, should be able to compete with the top teams in the league.

In addition, granted they make no additional moves, they will have the cap room to add a max contract in 2012 such as Chris Paul or Deron Williams to complete their big three.

by Evan Slavit at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Amare Stoudemire stuff!!!

With Chris Paul “demanding a trade” (who knows the real truth), many Knicks fans were hoping to land the superstar point guard. However, this would not be a good idea.

Right now, the only all-star on the team is Amare Stoudemire. They have an overlooked, solid point guard in Raymond Felton. Danilo Gallinari and Anthony Randolph are both very young, and both have all-star potential. Add Wilson Chandler and Toney Douglas, and the Knicks have a solid core. But to get Chris Paul, most of those pieces would have to be traded. So New York would be left with Paul, Stoudemire, and not much else.

If the Knicks really wanted Paul, they would get him in the 2012 off-season. Before then, there is the 2011 off-season, where New York will surely target Carmelo Anthony, the top free agent. Imagine if they signed Carmelo, and then had him, Stoudemire, Gallinari, and Randolph. The Knicks could either trade Felton to attempt to sign Tony Parker, or they could outright just wait for Paul to become a free agent.

Either way, an immediate lineup with Amare Stoudemire, Chris Paul, and a bunch of nothing does not compare to a lineup of Tony Parker or Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Danilo Gallinari, Anthony Randolph, and Amare Stoudemire. It has been a tough wait Knicks fans, but that wait should continue.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network

After missing out on LeBron earlier this offseason, it appears the Knicks are now moving their sights onto another young superstar. Chris Paul has recently asked the Hornets to trade him, giving them a list of teams with the Knicks on the top of his list. This news coming after Chris Paul made a toast at Carmello Anthony’s wedding to the big 3 in NY (Paul, Anthony, and Stoudemire) to compete against the big three in Miami. The Knicks have the assets to make the trade, and it seems like a strong possibility the Hornets will trade Paul, so will the Knicks get two coveted superstars in the offseason after all?

It seems like a strong possibility. New Orleans is a team in transition. They have a new GM, a new head coach and no great talent next to Paul. They have a lot of bad contracts and Paul realizes they will not be able to compete for a title any time soon. He saw LeBron leave and form his big three and now he wants one of his own. The Hornets are a small market team, and while keeping Paul helps their ticket sales, he can also hurt them if he isn’t buying into the system. The new guys don’t need someone questioning their system, and they don’t need a player constantly telling their fans the team will never be successful. In addition the Hornets could pick up a lot by trading Paul. There are a lot of young players available to them, and you bet they are going to be able to unload a bad contract or two. They are a team that is not going to compete now. With a new coach and GM why not start a rebuilding project.

For the Knicks they have the players to acquire Paul. Anthony Randolph, Danillo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas, and Bill Walker are young players with a lot of upside. Package any of those guys with a few 2nd round draft picks or a 2014 first round pick, in addition to taking on a bad contract like an Emeka Okefor or a James Posey, and the Knicks have an attractive offer. Definitely competitive with the other teams on Paul’s list, the Mavericks, Magic, and Trail Blazers.

So New Orleans have reasons to trade Paul, the Knicks have the means to get him, so will they get him and more importantly should they get him? For the first question I believe if the Knicks want Paul they will get him. Perhaps it is my NY bias, but there is a lot going in their favor. First, Paul has picked them above any of the other teams, and while New Orleans has the final say, I am sure it has some play. Second the Knicks can offer so much to the Hornets, with the Blazers the only team that can really match it.

So, yes I believe the Knicks will get Paul if they want him, but should they want him. Well it depends. If you can get Paul with keeping your flexibility open to get Mello later, that would be a no brainer. Imagine a big three in NY that could stick it to Pat Riley and those guys in South Beach. But my feeling is that to get Paul they would need to take on Okefor and Posey all while giving Curry’s expiring contract up. So depending on what young guys we have to give up, we could have a team with Stoudemire, Paul, and a lot of big contracts for guys that don’t exactly fit the system. We would lose all the flexibility we worked to get. While we might not be assured a player next offseason, I believe the Knicks could get either Tony Parker or Mello, even with a new CBA looming. They can achieve this and keep their young players and flexibility.

It is extremely tempting to want to get Paul, and if the deal makes sense I am sure the Knicks will make it. But if the deal costs too much the Knicks won’t and shouldn’t do it, and will instead wait till Dec 15 or next offseason.

by Evan Slavit at the Sports Fan Blog Network

Assuming the Knicks are done with improvements, and aside from a trade they seem to be done until next summer, how will the Knicks look next season. We have waited quite some time for this summer for the front office to make this team a contender again and so how have they done.

I say as of right now the Knicks are around a 40-win team. That is not where we expected to be after this summer, but its a good start.

The Knicks did sign a superstar in Amar’e Stoudemire and added a true point guard in Raymond Felton. They also added another nice young piece in Anthony Randolph.

With expected improvements from some of the other guys (Gallinari, Chandler, Douglas) 40 wins is definitely attainable with a possible 7th or 8th seed in reach.

While Lebron would have been nice, just getting back into the playoffs will be a good first step.

Aside from Stoudemire none of the moves the Knicks made are long term and so they have room to bring in a max-type player next season if anyone wants to come, and be free to make moves in the future.

The rebuilding is not over, but it is pretty promising considering our worst-case scenario happened. It’s hard to continue to preach patience but the Knicks are one superstar away from being a true contender.

While the New York Knicks hope to land LeBron James, there is a good chance that he will choose to go elsewhere. With that in mind, they need a backup plan. That plan seems to involve the duo of Joe Johnson and Amare Stoudemire. It is tough to believe all of the 1,000,000 rumors out there about the 2010 free agency. But it seems legitimate to believe that the Knicks will be meeting with Joe Johnson at 12:01 on July 1st. Whether or not they get James, the Knicks would still have enough to offer big money to Johnson.

If they fail to land LeBron, the Knicks may go after Amare Stoudemire. Like Johnson, Stoudemire played for Mike D’Antoni back in Phoenix. Every Knicks fan wants to see LeBron James wearing blue and orange. But if not, the combination of Johnson and Stoudemire is not too shabby.

by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network