NEW YORK, January 17, 2012 – New York Knickerbockers Senior Vice President, Basketball Operations and Interim General Manager Glen Grunwald announced today that the team has assigned center Jerome Jordan and guard Jeremy Lin to the Erie BayHawks of the NBA Development League.
Jordan, 7-0, 240-pounds, has recorded eight points and eight rebounds over 29 minutes in six games this season for the Knicks.
Lin, 6-3, 200-pounds, scored nine points and recorded two assists and two rebounds over 16 minutes in five games. He played 20 games (10 starts) for Reno of the D-League last season, averaging 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 31.7 minutes.
Amar'e Stoudemire will be out of the lineup for tonight's game against the Kings. It will be up to Stoudemire's teammates to play team ball and to pick up the slack.
"Amar’e Stoudemire is out for tonight’s game at Sacramento with a sprained left ankle, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Knicks have not made it official but Stoudemire is expected to miss his season’s first game when the Knicks conclude their California trip vs. the Knicks at 8 p.m. Stoudemire sprained his ankle Thursday in the fourth quarter in LA after rolling to the basket off a pick and getting hit by a Lakers player. Stoudemire tumbled to the court and left the game."-New York Post
Here is the possible starting lineup for tonight's game with Amar'e out:
Douglas, Fields, Anthony, Harrellson, Chandler
It will be a tough game. I would not be surprised if Balkman and Harrellson split minutes at the power forward position. Josh Harrellson will get a chance to show his game. Harrellson has ability to score down low and shoot the outside jumper.
In addition, keep and eye on Toney Douglas. He normally plays good against Evans. In their last meeting Douglas had 21 points shooting 52% from the field. While Tyreke Evans had only 9 points in his last meeting against the Knicks.
(Big C) It’s only the Knicks 3rd game of the season and it may too early to start hitting the panic button. However, one thing is for sure the Knicks need point guard help and another scorer. So far Toney Douglas has not been getting it done in the last two games. Douglas is shooting 34.2% from the field. Within 3 games Douglas’ shooting is 13% from the 3 point strike making 2-15 shots. Anyone can have 2 off games. The problem is Douglas' poor play is not just based on his shooting. It's more of an issue of him not being able to set up his teammates or get to the hole.
The strongest weapon in Mike D’Antoni’s offense has been the pick and roll. In the last two games the Knicks are not running the pick and roll. They are doing more isolation plays or just 1 or 2 passes and then a player shoots. It is up to the point guard to get the offense flowing and so far Douglas has not be doing that. The duty of the point guard is also to direct their teammates where to go if they are not in the right position.
In order for Toney Douglas to make an impact he has to set up the pick and roll or break down the defense to get to the hole where he can either score or dish the ball to his teammates. Breaking down the defense is not a part of Douglas' game. So while Douglas is trying to learn the point guard role the Knicks might have to look for outside help.
Even though the Knicks have signed Baron Davis, he will not be available for another 5 weeks, according Marc Berman of the New York Post. That is too much time to be without having a playmaker or a guard who can get to the basket. That leaves the Knicks with the option of Gilbert Arenas.
Gilbert Arenas is still a free agent. We know that Arenas might not be the best PR move but the Knicks cannot afford to wait in hope of Davis returning in good shape in 5 weeks. Even when Davis is back there's no guarantee that he will make an impact. Unless there is something going on behind the scenes with Gilbert Arenas (too much time at the rifle range?) he could be an option.
Arenas on the Knicks would provide a few things:
A player that can breakdown defense outside of Carmelo Anthony
A 3rd scorer that the Knicks desperately need for nights when Amar’e and Melo are not hot
Another player that can play the pick and roll
A player that in not intimidated by other teams' backcourts
The Knicks roster is set at 15. Therefore the Knicks would have to remove a player in order to make room for Gilbert Arenas.
Via ESPN: " 10.) The Sugarhill Gang -- "Rapper's Delight" (So after school, I take a dip in the pool, which is really on the wall / I got a color TV so I can see the Knicks play basketball)
9.) The Cool Kids -- "2K Pennies" (All net finger roll, Allan Houston off the pick / Yeah, the pick of the litter with the kicks)
8.) Busta Rhymes – "New York S---" (Yeah, I'm on my New York s--- / Rep the Giants, the Jets, New York Knicks)
7.) Eminem -- "W.T.P." (They call me the Stephon Marbury of rap, darlin' / Cause as soon as they throw on some R. Kelly, I start ballin')
6.) Heltah Skeltah -- "Sean Price" (Sean sparks like John Starks in the fourth quarter / Oughta meet my peeps, deep like the Torah)
5.) Cormega -- "The Come Up" (My movements like the automatic top on a coupe / Smoothness, like Allan Houston got when he shoots / I'm consumed with, the essence of the street / I'm destined to be, on a level I've yet to see / Son I had 'em so comfortable they slept on me / Like the draft did McGrady, this rap s--- is crazy)
4.) Kurtis Blow – "Basketball" (Or when, Willis Reed stood so tall / Playing D with desire, it's basketball) "- -Jared Zwerling
(Big C). Players worked on certain aspects of their game during the offseason to bring something new to the table. The objective for Knicks’ superstar Amar’e Stoudemire was to work on his handle and his outside shooting. Last year Amar’e hit a few 3’s resulting in an average 44% from 16-23 feet out. In the previous season Stoudemire attempted 23 shot attempts and an average 43% from downtown.
Knicks fans got a first hand look at Amar’e's new and improved 3 point shot with the 2 attempts he's made so far this season. Amar’e was successful at knocking down both shots this season. Here's coach D'Antoni's reaction:
"I don't want to exaggerate it, I don't want to fall in love with it, but at the same time it's a weapon... Both [Melo and Amare] can shoot the ball extremely well from three. Amare is more, if you get out here and just line him up and let him shoot, he's one of our best 3-point shooters”.-Mike D’Antoni source ESPN.com
If Amar’e can shoot a good percentage with the 3 point shot I do not see why it would be a problem. He has been working on it in practice every day. The only negative would be if Amar’e started focusing more on taking the 3 and jumpshot more than playing the regular game that he's had success with. Another problem would be the Knicks having to worry about Amar’e missing the 3 point shot and creating long rebounds. Long rebounds lead to easy transition points for the other team. That is not something we want.
It could be very helpful if Amar'e limits himself to around 3-4 3 point attempts a night. If Stoudemire hits his 3 point shots then his man would come out to guard him and not occupy the paint. Teammates like Carmelo Anthony, Landry Fields, and Douglas will then have the opportunity to drive to the lane without worrying about Amar’e's man helping out. Amar’e playing on the opposite side of the elbow for the 3 will prevent Carmelo Anthony from getting doubled or make it easy for Melo to pass the ball to Amar’e out of the double team.
Another positive thing is Amar’e shooting the 3 could spread the court and make him a harder offensive weapon to guard. If Amar’e’s man guards the 3 Amar’e can drive to the hole for the dunk or go for a hard layup. If Amar’e’s man plays off Amar’e, he could shoot the 3 and hopefully knock it down.
Overall, I'm expecting Amar’e to take at least 4 attempts per game especially since coach mike D’ Antoni has given him the green light.
Too risky? Great strategy? What are your thoughts on Amar’e shooting the 3?
(Big C) It’s only the Knicks 3rd game of the season and it may too early to start hitting the panic button. However, one thing is for sure the Knicks need point guard help and another scorer. So far Toney Douglas has not been getting it done in the last two games. Douglas is shooting 34.2% from the field. Within 3 games Douglas’ shooting is 13% from the 3 point strike making 2-15 shots. Anyone can have 2 off games. The problem is Douglas' poor play is not just based on his shooting. It's more of an issue of him not being able to set up his teammates or get to the hole.
(Big C). Players worked on certain aspects of their game during the offseason to bring something new to the table. The objective for Knicks’ superstar Amar’e Stoudemire was to work on his handle and his outside shooting. Last year Amar’e hit a few 3’s resulting in an average 44% from 16-23 feet out. In the previous season Stoudemire attempted 23 shot attempts and an average 43% from downtown. 
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