Marc and Jay talk about the last 3 games, The Knicks roster midseason grades, Jays beard theory, listener questions
Author: Jay
Knicks vs. Heat – 2-1-14 – Game Recap
Written by William Lee
With everyone counting down the hours, the minutes, on the eve of NFL Super Bowl XLVIII, the New York Super Bowl weekend included one huge basketball match-up in the metro area as well.
The Defending Champions Miami Heat came into town, showing that defense wins championships. The Heat made sure to not let Carmelo Anthony get into any offensive rhythm. Sending defensive stalwart Shane Battier to guard him, Battier made it tough for Anthony, constantly fronting him, forcing him to work very hard to even catch the ball. When Anthony was finally able to possess the ball, another Heat would swarm in Anthony’s direction to double team him, forcing him to take a bad shot, or pass the ball out. Anthony wasn’t making good decisions, turning the ball over seven times in a 106-91 defeat to the Miami Heat. Anthony finished the game with 26 points 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
Shane Battier hounded Anthony into committing three turnovers and scoring only four points in the first quarter, whom normally would be closer to double figures as the Knicks’ primary option on offense. Battier wasn’t only getting it done of the defensive end, he also got it done on the offensive end, scoring 11 points in the first quarter, knocking down three three-pointers in the process. With all the attention paid to Carmelo Anthony, J.R Smith got loose for the Knicks early, scoring 11 points in the first quarter, and finishing the game with 20 points. Smith’s early contributions kept New York in the game, but the Heat went on a 10-2 run to end the first quarter to take a 29-22 lead.
The Heat led by as much as 14 points mid-way through the second quarter, propelled by Dwayne Wade’s nine points in the period. Wade was unstoppable, scoring on tough mid-range jumpers, as well as slashing to the rim for 22 points in the game. The Knicks though did not give up, going on an 11-2 run bridging from the end of the second quarter and into the opening minutes of the third, to get within a possession 53-51.
Miami would respond immediately, going on a 15-4, fueled by the Knicks turnovers. New York committed five turnovers in the third quarter, 17 in total for the game. New York was too careless with the ball Saturday night, making poor decisions. There were way too many cross court passes attempted by the Knicks, which was easily stolen by the Heat. And it wasn’t like New York didn’t know this was coming, Miami is first in the league in forcing opponents to turn over the ball at 17.4 per game, as well as top five in team steals at 8.9 per game. Simply put the Knicks needed to take care of the basketball against the Miami Heat, and they didn’t. New York didn’t help their own cause, when they just kept fouling (some of the calls were questionable) at the end of the third quarter, fouling on five consecutive possessions to end the period. Miami shot 11 free throws in the third quarter, converting on seven of them.
A three-pointer by Tim Hardaway Jr. cut the Miami lead to five to start the fourth quarter, the rookie followed up his career high 29 points, with 17 points Saturday night. New York was able to again cut the Miami lead to five again with nine minutes left in the game, but that would be as close as the Knicks would ever get, as Norris Cole was personally responsible for an 8-2 run, scoring six points and assisting on a Chris Bosh jumper. The run gave Miami a double digit led again, 92-81 with 5:45 remaining in the game. Cole’s play was the most pivotal part of the game, and completely changed the momentum in favor of Miami, he had the best +/- of any player in the game, with +17. Lebron James closed the door shut on the Knicks, extending the led to as much as 16 points, making a few tough fade away jumpers. James finished the game with 30 points 8 rebounds 7 assists, and 6 steals.
Tonight was the type of game where New York really missed the presence of Iman Shumpert. It is a given what Lebron is going to do, but New York really needed a defensive guard to slow down Dwyane Wade. Shumpert would have been given the assignment to guard him, yes he gambles a lot, and is overly aggressive at times, picking up too many ticky tack fouls, but it is still better than having Tim Hardaway Jr. guarding Wade. Hardaway Jr. at this point in his career is just a scorer, he hardly gets any rebounds, steals, or blocks. But defense isn’t just what you see on the stat sheet, he does not cover his own man well, nor does he rotate well on defense. Shumpert presence would have definitely changed the game, but you have to weigh out the positives and negatives, because for what Hardaway Jr. lacks in defense, Shumpert lacks in offense. New York didn’t help themselves either tonight, stabbing themselves in the foot, missing nine free throws, converting on only 60.9% of attempts. The most noteworthy one was when Carmelo Anthony got fouled on a three-point attempt, and proceeded to miss three straight free throws.
Knicks vs Cavs – 1-30-14 – Game Recap
Written by William Lee
“In 1970, Cleveland’s newspaper, The Plain Dealer, held a contest to name the city’s new basketball club. Contest winner Jerry Tomko wrote that the Cavaliers “represent a group of daring, fearless men, whose life’s pact was never surrender, no matter what the odds.” via NBA.com. It is probably safe to say Mr. Tomko would be disappointed in this season’s 16-29 Cleveland Cavaliers team. Probably even disappointed, in hearing new rumors that surfaced this week that team captain “Kyrie Irving has been telling people privately he wants out,” according to ESPN insider Chad Ford.
The Cavaliers sure looked like a group of people that surrendered, easily and with little resistance at that, in Thursday night’s 117-86 defeat at the hands of a suddenly hot New York Knicks team. New York was leading by double figures within four minutes of tip off. Cleveland would be down by as many as 29 points in the second quarter, and as many as 31 points in the second half. The Cavaliers showed little fight, barely even denting the Knicks’ lead, even though New York went cold in the second half of the second quarter, going without a field goal for over five minutes. New York led 60-36 at half time, even with the mini draught.
Carmelo Anthony erupted in the first quarter for 18 points, looked like he was on pace for another historical night. Any thoughts of another magical 62 point game performance were quickly squashed, as Mike Woodson wisely rested his superstar in an early blowout game to start the second quarter. Anthony finished the game with a very effective 29 points in 30 minutes of play. Continue reading
Knicks vs Celtics – 1-28-14 – Game Recap
Written by William Lee
After finally earning a win in matinée games Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers, New York looked to avenge a 114-73 matinée loss to the Boston Celtics from early December. With the Knicks down 0-2 in the season series so far, New York jumped out to an early lead, and never looked back, winning 114-88.
Reverse layup, slam dunk, Iman Shumpert got to the rim early, New York got into the paint easily, getting layups, dunks, just about whatever they wanted. Tyson Chandler put back, Pablo Prigioni reverse layup, Chandler alley opp, these are all the scores of the first few possessions that began the game. You get the picture, the Celtics could not defend the Knicks, and when they finally stopped the bleeding from the inside, New York would drop a three on them for good measure. New York finished the first quarter with 14 points in the paint, along with four threes to help double up on Boston 31-15 when it was all said and done in the period.
The closest the Celtics ever got back into the game, was within fourteen points, when they went on an 11-0 mid-way through the second quarter. With the score 45-31, Tim Hardaway Jr. would knock down two timely threes, and Boston never threatened again. Hardaway Jr would finish the game with 16 points off the bench. The bench contributed greatly to Tuesday night’s victory with 63 bench points. Reigning Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith contributed 17 points and 5 assist off the bench as well. Jeremy Tyler recorded 17 points as well, a majority of the time during garbage minutes, when the game was already out of hand, but nonetheless, a positive. Continue reading
2013/14 Knicks Roster Power Rankings – Week 14
| The Knicks went 2-1 this week. 2-0 after injuried to Amare, Bargnani, K-Mart, and Metta forced Woodson to go with the 2 point guard lineup that pretty much everyone on the planet except Woodson realizes is the way to go with this team. This week is the exact opposite of last week, it’s tough to rank because no one had a particularly bad week where last week was tough because no one had a good week. | |||
| Rank | Player | Comments | Last weeks Rank |
| 1 | Anthony, Carmelo | Lets see, all Carmelo did this week was have the highest scoring game of all time at MSG with 62 points on 66% shooting, 13 rebounds and zero turnovers while facing double and triple teams. Anyone who complained about his zero assists should be banned from watching basketball. He also surrounded that game with a 28 point 7 assits night and a 35 point 5 assist night. Even if the rest of the season is miserable , we got to experience one of the best regular season games I can ever remember watching. | 2 |
| 2 | Chandler, Tyson | Tyson is starting to look a lot more like the defensive beast we remember. Now that Woodson realizes (for now at least) that Tyler and Aldrich can handle center duty for 10 minutes each, Tyson can go all out for 30 minutes a night instead of playing an exhausting 40+ minutes. Everyone wins. | 1 |
| 3 | Prigioni, Pablo | Priggy is going this high not because of his numbers but because the Knicks hardly ever lose when he starts and he also makes Felton look like not the worst starting PG in the league. | 10 |
| 4 | Felton, Raymond | Felton looks like a good PG when there is another PG out there at the same time doing half the PG duties. Maybe it’s just because of Pablo (it is) but Felton did have a very good week even if the problem of opposing guards running amok still hasn’t been solved. | 13 |
| 5 | Hardaway Jr., Tim | Look who remembered how to shoot again! THJ looked very good (on offense) this week, especially during the Lakers game. | 9 Continue reading |
Episode 237: Keeping Melo
Marc explains to Jay his strategy for getting Melo to resign in NY, we obviously talk about the 62 point game as well as the Lakers game, free agency, the worst two heated minutes and cutting down the nets ever, listener questions, and much more
Knicks vs Lakers – 1-26-14 – Game Recap
Written by William Lee
What would Carmelo Anthony do for an encore, after his historic 62 points performance in Madison Square Garden Friday night?
Carmelo Anthony followed it up with 35 points, in a 110-103 New York victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. This was the first matinée day game victory for New York all season long, as the Knicks were 0-5 prior to Sunday’s victory.
Anthony immediately scored on the Knicks’ first possession, scoring seven points in three minutes, enticing Knicks’ fans to hope for another epic performance. Though he would be relatively slowed compared to Friday night, by scoring only ten points in the first quarter. Anthony looked to be forcing the issue for another great game at the end of the first quarter, missing an ill-advised three on the fast break. Then turning the ball over while trying to drive to the rim leading to break away windmill dunk by Wesley Johnson, and then he just dribbled out the clock trying to make a move to the rim not aware that the clock was about to expire.
It was a tightly contested game throughout, with neither team being able to take a double digit lead. With the Knicks up 99-97 in a little less than five minutes remaining in the game, Anthony went to work, going on a personal 6-1 run to give New York a 105-98 lead with 2:33 left in the game. Anthony scored on a couple of layups and a jump shot, he got to the rim with ease Sunday, getting by any defenders the Lakers threw at him. Raymond Felton would knock down a jumper to increase the lead to 107-99 with 1:31 left in the game. Felton played extremely well, also getting into the paint with ease, connecting on a few floaters in the lane, scoring 20 points and collecting five assists on Sunday’s matinée game.
Pau Gasol had 20 points 13 rebounds and 4 assists, and Los Angeles went to him late in crunch time. Gasol would score with 1:23 remaining to keep the Lakers in the game 107-101. Lakers would get the stop they needed, and they would try to get the ball to Gasol again, the Knicks wisely doubled teamed him immediately, forcing Gasol to kick the ball out to Kendall Marshall, who missed a three that could have made it a one possession game. With 44.7 seconds left in the game, the Lakers looked to make a defensive stop instead of fouling to stop the clock, watching J.R. Smith dribble it out, but Nick Young foolishly fouled Smith on his initial move to the rim, effectively ending the game for the Lakers. Smith was also a key contributor to the win with 16 points 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Carmelo Anthony had plenty of help in Sunday’s matinée victory, with four other Knicks’ in double digit scoring, on top of his 35 point encore performance. As great as the victory was, and a momentum builder, it should be noted that the Lakers give up the second most points to opponents in the league at 106.1, so it was definitely a game the Knicks should have won, if they are to make the playoffs. Something interesting to note going forward, is that Mike Woodson elected to go with Cole Aldrich as the first big to come off the bench, even though Jeremy Tyler showed potential in the previous games. Another coaching tactical issue is the fact that Jodie Meeks was allowed to go 6/8 from beyond the arc. Meeks is a three point specialist, with half of his field goal attempts being threes, New York should have ran him off the three point line, and force him to put the ball on the floor.
Episode 236: A Day Too Early
Marc and Jay talk about the last two games against the Nets and 76ers. Yes we recorded the Bobcats game while doing the show, assuming it would be the same old crap and not one of the greatest moments in MSG history, so we’ll talk about that next episode. This episode we talk about Bargnanis injury, the top 5 non Knicks we’re rooted for throughout our lives, Woodson, and much more
Knicks Vs. Bobcats – 1-25-14 – Game Recap
Written by William Lee
January 24, 2014 Carmelo Anthony set a career high and franchise record with 62 points in Madison Square Garden.
In a post-game interview with MSG’s Tina Cervasio, it was revealed that Anthony and the Knicks as a whole were inspired in the locker room before the game by a motivational video about greatness by a Mohammad Ali speech. Anthony said “My energy level went up, my focus level went times ten” after watching the video. It showed early, as Anthony drove to the lane throwing down a thunderous one handed dunk to score his 18th point of the game in the first quarter alone. This tied for most points scored in a quarter by any player so far this season. He would set a record this season for most points scored in a quarter on a step back jump shot to give him 20 points to end the first quarter, and also gave New York a 30-21 advantage at the end of the period.
Carmelo Anthony continued his rampage on the Charlotte Bobcats in the second quarter, scoring 17 points for a total of 37 points in the first half. The 37 first half points would mark the most point scored by a player in the NBA this season in any half played. Even with Anthony almost matching the total point output Charlotte was putting up, the Bobcats for most of the first half was always within striking distance, always within single digits deficit for the most part. It wasn’t until Continue reading
Knicks Vs. 76’ers – 1-22-14 – Game Recap
Written by William Lee
Both the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers are bottom dwellers in the standings, and both looked to snap a losing streak Wednesday night. The Sixers quickly got a double digit lead in the first quarter, going on a 13-0 run to lead by a score of 19-9 with 6:43 left in the quarter. Philadelphia came into the game with the second worst three point shooting percentage in the league at 31.5%, and it looked like it was part of the game plan for New York to leave them open. One problem with that strategy, the Sixers were not hesitant to take the open opportunities, and they made the best of it, knocking down five threes in the first quarter. This helped give the Sixers a 33-26 lead after the first quarter.
Andrea Bargnani kept the Knicks in the game, getting by his defender and straight to the rim a few times. Carmelo Anthony was held without a field goal in the first quarter, and went to the locker room briefly, cutting his finger on a block attempt at the rim. Anthony exploded for 13 points in the second quarter to get New York within 61-56 at the half. New York did not show any second effort on possessions, particularly in the second quarter. The Knicks would play good enough defense to make the Sixers miss, but was outhustled by Philadelphia on second and third effort plays. The Sixers had seven offensive rebounds alone in the second quarter, and ten for the first half, which led to ten second chance points.
Andrea Bargnani continued his aggressive play, and helped ignite a comeback late in the third quarter into the fourth. Bargnani made a very aggressive move, driving into the paint, attempting to throw down a dunk on two Sixers! He got fouled in mid-air, and had a rough fall, he would get back up and hit both of his free throws to cut into the Sixers’ lead, 79-76. The Knicks would then go on a 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter to take a 90-84 lead with 9:27 left in the game. Evan Turner would stop New York’s momentum, as he did all game long, scoring five straight points to get Philadelphia within a point with 6:47 remaining in the game. Evan Turner made his presence felt throughout the game, scoring career high 34 points, while also grabbing 11 rebounds.
New York would continually leave Philadelphia open from beyond the arc, and it cost the Knicks big time in the fourth. The Sixers would hit back to back threes to take a 96-92 lead with 5:11 left in the game. Shortly after, another Sixer would be left wide open again, Thaddeus Young would deliver a dagger three with 1:47 left in the game. Young had 19 points 7 rebounds and 4 steals for the game. The final score of 110-106 made the game look a lot closer than it really was, and that was because Carmelo Anthony hit two meaningless threes to finish the game. Anthony finished the game with 28 points 4 rebounds 7 assist and 2 steals in a losing effort.
Looking at the box score and seeing everyone’s individual stats you might think the Knicks played a decent game, but Philadelphia play at the fastest pace (Pace factor is an estimate of the number of possessions per 48 minutes by a team)so all the stats are inflated. One statistic that is telling is the fact that the Sixers only turned the ball over 14 times for the game. Philadelphia came into the game being the highest turnover team in the league with 17.5 turnovers per game. This shows that the Knicks were not harassing the Sixers enough on defense. Another category that is hustle statistic is rebounds, and New York was utterly dominated Wednesday night. The Sixers held a 54-39 rebounding advantage, with 17 of those coming on the offensive glass, this allowed for 19 second chance points.
Mike Woodson continue to rely on Raymond Felton, putting him in when the game was on the line. When Felton replaced Prigioni the Knicks were up by two with 7:15 left in the game, Felton would go on to get a layup blocked, and miss a crucial three. Felton had a +/- of -9 for the game, Pablo Prigioni had a +5 in the short amount of playing time he was given. Prigioni actually looks like a point guard when he is out there, he is running pick and rolls, and is willing to wave off Carmelo Anthony, when he is demanding for the ball. Simply put the offense looks to run smoother when Prigioni is the one commanding the floor, there is ball movement whenever he is in the game. New York will look to right the ship with Charlotte coming into town Friday night, but they will be no slouch, as the Bobcats has already handed the Knicks two defeats.
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