AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Carmelo Anthony wasn’t at full health last night, but the Knicks look like they have healed fast on this two-game weekend road trip that ended emphatically last night in Motown.
Coach Mike D’Antoni’s hot seat feels more comfortable after the Knicks crushed the Pistons...
Erik Spoelstra isn’t about to send any sympathy cards to the Knicks over their early-season struggles. But the Miami Heat coach can relate.
A year ago he was going through a similar situation trying to get his three superstars and a compliment of new faces to play as a...
Chris Bosh, Jarrett Jack and Derrick Favors all had Paul Hewitt’s blessings when they left Georgia Tech for the NBA as underclassman. Iman Shumpert, however, was different. With an NBA lockout looming and the chance to be a lottery pick in the 2012 draft, Shumpert was advised by his college coach to stick around one more year.
The Knicks finally made the switch. Mike D’Antoni turned the ball over to rookie point guard Iman Shumpert, putting Toney Douglas on the bench Saturday night. Shumpert helped Knicks to a 103-80 win over the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Carmelo Anthony won't be able to bail out the Knicks every night, even against a team like the Toronto Raptors. Anthony's 35 points - on 31 shots - wasn't enough as Toronto held a lead for the final three quarters and hung on to beat the Knicks 90-85.
Andrea Bargnani and DeMar DeRozan each scored 21 points, and the Toronto Raptors held onto a big lead this time, beating the New York Knicks 90-85 on Monday night.
This time, there was no magical performance by a rookie. This time, there was no rousing victory without the team leader. This time, there was no hiding how much this Knicks team is dependent on Amar'e Stoudemire.
Kobe Bryant’s body, much like his supporting cast, may be showing signs of decline, but Bryant’s will and competitive fire are as strong as ever. Just ask the Knicks. Bryant scored 28 points as the Lakers, playing without Andrew Bynum, defeated the Knicks, 99-82, Thursday night.
The season is only three games old, but between Toney Douglas and Mike Bibby, the Knicks don’t have a reliable, front-line guard who can make smart decisions with the ball and figure out whether it needs to go to Carmelo Anthony or Amar’e Stoudemire.
Amar'e Stoudemire may miss Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings with a sprained left ankle. Stoudemire suffered injury in final minutes of loss to Lakers Thursday night.
When Tyson Chandler takes the floor in Oakland Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors, the Knicks’ 7-1 center might look down toward the Golden State bench and briefly ponder what might have been.
When it came to barring point guard Chris Paul from joining the Los Angeles Lakers, David Stern had it all wrong, says Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony.
As much as Mark Jackson tried to downplay his first game against the Knicks as an NBA head coach, he didn't sound very convincing when he said he was treating it as just another game.
(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.
Kobe Bryant scored 28 points in yet another dynamic performance against the Knicks, and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter for their ninth straight victory over New York, 99-82 Thursday night.
(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.
