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Knicks @ Cavs – 12-11-13 – Game Recap

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Written by William Lee

The Cleveland Cavaliers jumped out to an 18 point lead on the New York Knicks, and it looked like it was déjà vu for the Knickerbockers. It looked like it was going to be another no effort beat down that occurred in the Sunday matinee against the Atlantic Division leading Boston Celtics, where we saw the Knicks down by as many as 45 points, with the final score Celtics 114 Knicks 73. Instead the Knicks were able to fight and claw their way back into the game, at least in the first half…the second half would be a different story.

The Knicks lead early 5-4, and then Cavaliers went on a 14-0 run mid-way through the first quarter, leading to their largest lead in the first half of 18 points. With 4:22 left in the first quarter the Knicks went over the foul limit, the Knicks could not play defense without fouling in the first quarter, finishing the period with 10 personal fouls. Every starter except for Carmelo Anthony was in foul trouble by the end of the quarter with two fouls each. The Cavaliers attempted 16 free throws in the first quarter, converting 12 of them from the charity stripe. Not only did the Cavaliers get to the line at will, they also scored at will, finishing 52.9% from the field in the first quarter. Conversely the Knicks were held to 34.8%, the Knicks settled for way too many outside jumps, attempting ten three point shots just in the opening quarter. Although the Knicks would convert on consecutive threes during a 10-2 to close the gap to 10, with the Cavaliers leading 29-19. The Cavaliers lead 31-19 after the first quarter, behind the efforts of Uncle Drew aka Kyrie Irving, who had 9 points and 3 assist in the quarter. Continue reading →

Knicks vs Celtics – 12-8-13 – Game Recap

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Written By William Lee

Quarter 1 – 

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Quarter 2 – 

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Quarter 3 – 

Quarter 4 – 

Knicks vs Magic – 12-6-13 – Game Recap

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Written by William Lee

The Magic got off to a quick start, jumping to a 15-5 lead within four minutes. Jameer Nelson was responsible for 10/15 points during the run, knocking down a three and handing out three assist. After New York took a quick timeout, the Knicks got back into the game, ending the quarter strong, trimming the Magic lead to three, with a score 31-28. The Magic was scorching hot from downtown, knocking down six threes in the opening period. Arron Afflalo led the way for the Magic scoring ten points, including a couple of threes in the quarter, finishing with 20 points in the game. The Knicks were able to withstand this in the first quarter, by battling on the boards, getting five offensive rebounds to keep themselves in the game.

The Magic continued to pour it on with their three point shooting, with Ronnie Price to open up the second quarter with a three, increasing the Magic lead to 34-28. From this point on the Knicks went on a 15-1 run, powered by some three point shooting of their own. The Knicks knocked down five consecutive threes, which was bookended by Tim Hardaway Jr makes. By the end of the run the Knicks were up by eight, leading 43-35 with 8:00 left in the first half. Each three was came off of great ball movement, with each of them coming off of an assist.  Afflalo ended the Knicks run, knocking down a couple of jump shots. At 5:02 Carmelo Anthony got three points the good old fashioned way, finishing an and one to give the Knicks a 51-44 lead. It was a three point shooting contest for both teams by halftime, with the Knicks leading 59-54. The Magic knocked down eight field goals from beyond the arc, but the Knicks would not be outdone, as they made ten three pointers of their own. Both teams moved the ball extremely effectively to get the threes, with the Magic scoring on 18 field goals on 11 assist, and the Knicks scoring 20 field goals on 12 assist. Continue reading →

Knicks @ Nets – 12-5-13 – Game Recap

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“Lets Go Knicks” chants rain down in the Barclays Center

Written by William Lee

Tonight’s much hyped match-up between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets before the season began, wasn’t exactly the marquee match-up we all hoped it would be. Instead it was a match-up between the two bottom feeding teams of the Eastern Conference (which is saying a lot with only two teams over .500 in the Eastern Conference). Each coming into tonight’s game with 13 losses, it was a must win atmosphere for both teams, but it was the Knicks who came out desperate. The Knicks blew out the Nets, looking much like the Knicks’ of last year, where they made an NBA record breaking three point field goals, knocking down 16 from beyond the arc, cruising to a 113-83 victory over their inter-borough rival.

Andrea Bargnani as usual, got off to a great start for the Knicks in the first quarter, going a perfect 4/4 from the field for nine points, and making his presence felt on the defensive end with two blocks. On the very first possession Bargnani blocked Brook Lopez, and then immediately knocks down a jumper on offense. Bargnani at the 8:44 mark of the first quarter again blocks Lopez, which lead to an Iman Shumpert three on the fast break. The Knicks went on a 12-2 run, capped off by a Carmelo Anthony three, to give the Knicks a 24-10 lead. This prompted the first “Let’s Go Knicks!” chants at the Barclay Center. More “Let’s Go Knicks!” chants were heard on the next Knicks’ possession when Bargnani completed an and one. The Knicks lead 29-23 after the first quarter, finishing 70.6% from the field, with four threes. The Nets shot 36% from the field, but kept themselves in the game with nine offensive rebounds, leading to ten second chance points. Brook Lopez had seven of the offensive rebounds himself. Lopez and Joe Johnson scored eight points each in the first quarter, receiving very little help, with the rest of the team combining for less than eight points combined. Continue reading →

Knicks vs Nets 12-5-13 – Preview

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Written by Anish Philip @dak0mish

The Knicks are set to play the Nets tonight, and it couldn’t lack any less luster. These two teams were supposed to be jockeying for a high seeding in the playoffs. Instead, you have two very injured teams that look like easy chum for the NY media feeding frenzy. 1

This wasn’t what was promised to us over the summer. Deron Williams attacking a child Knicks fan, Pierce embracing every chance to proclaim his hatred or leave the Knicks out of the contender conversation, JR getting on his social media soap box, to Dolan and Prok  – you expected a 12 round grudge match. What was supposed to be a clash of the titans has turned into a slumber party pillow fight.

No matter who you think is worse, you can’t argue with one simple fact: The team’s with the two highest payrolls, Brooklyn at $101 million, and the Knicks at $87 million, have less than half the wins of the East leading Pacers combined . By building through the draft, shrewd signings and trades, the Pacers are paying homage to the greatest of all small market teams, the Spurs. The two hometown teams have done the complete opposite. Trading picks for players who are far from superstars & taking on monstrous contracts has given them the headlines they lust for, but not the tangible results to cement their claim to contender status. Don’t act surprised. Patience is a virtue, but long term growth will always be throw aside for a quick buck in Gotham.  Continue reading →

Knicks vs Pelicans – 12-1-13 – Game Recap

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Written by William Lee

The Knicks did a great job of defending the Pelicans in the first quarter, forcing them to shoot 23.8%, going 5/21 from the field. Kenyon Martin set the tone from the tip, he did a good job of harassing Anthony Davis on the first two Pelicans’ possession, poking the ball from Davis, causing the Pelicans to start off with two turnovers. A couple possessions later Anthony Davis made a strong move to the rim, attempting to dunk the ball, but Andrea Bargnani was there to contest it without fouling. Bargnani had an amazing defensive effort in the first quarter, blocking three shots in the period, highlighted by a block on Jason Smith which led to a fast break alley opp to Carmelo Anthony. Anthony Davis left at 1:33 remaining in the first quarter, with the Knicks leading 18-16, and never returned.  The New Orleans sophomore stud suffered a non-displaced fracture on his left hand. His season averages coming into tonight’s match up with the Knicks was 19.6 points 10.6 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game. This was another golden opportunity for the Knicks to take advantage of, to finally stop their losing streak.

With the Pelicans’ superstar sidelined, the bench came out swinging in the second quarter with Tyreke Evans and Ryan Anderson both scoring ten points in the quarter. This kept the Pelicans in the game with the Knicks in the first half, with the Knicks leading 49-44 going into intermission. The Knicks were sharing the ball and had great ball movement, with 13 assist on 18 made field goals at the half. Raymond Felton led the way for the Knicks at the half with 10 points and 5 assist. Continue reading →

Knicks @ Nuggets – 11-29-13 – Game Recap

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trade

Written by William Lee

            Hard to believe this trade was over two years ago, in a cold February winter night in 2011. Since then it has been an up and down roller coaster ride for the Knicks and their fans. The blockbuster trade brought immediate dividends with the Knicks making the playoffs for the first time since the 2003-2004 season, but was immediately swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round. Then the worldwide phenomenon we all now come to be known as Linsanity occurred the following season. The Knicks had another first round exit, but not before picking up their first playoff victory, in over a decade. With the incredible hype behind Linsanity, James Dolan guaranteed that the Knicks would to match any offer up to one billion dollars during the offseason. All it really took was a poison pill contract worth $25 million over three years, with $14.8 million of it in the third year. Even with the departure of Jeremy Lin, the Knicks then had a magical 2012-2013 season, where the Knicks set a new NBA record with 891 three point shots made in a season. The Knicks broke past the First Round, but not before JR Smith elbowed Jason Terry, prolonging the series with the Boston Celtics. The Knicks then fall to the Indiana Pacers in the Second Round, in a hard fought series.

Up and down, up and down we are along for the Carmelo Anthony era ride of the Knicks. Unfortunately last year may have been the apex of the roller coaster ride up, as this year has been a complete disaster. The Knicks has lost seven straight entering tonight’s match up with Carmelo Anthony’s old team, the Denver Nuggets. Things look bleak now, but it could take a nose dive descent for the Knicks as the Nuggets hold the upcoming Knicks first round pick this year from the Carmelo Anthony trade. The Nuggets helped their own cause tonight, as they sent the Knicks to their eighth straight defeat, winning 97-95. Continue reading →

Knicks at Clippers 11-27-13

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Written by William Lee
Raymond Felton made his return to the Knicks after missing the last four games with some nerve complications in his hip. At first Felton looked out of sync with his teammates committing two quick turnovers, but quickly got back on track, finishing the game with 12 points and 7 assist. Blake Griffin got into early foul trouble, picking up his second foul before the half way mark of the first quarter. With the Clippers’ superstar forward on the bench, the Clippers united as a group to take a 29-27 first quarter lead. The Clippers had eight players score by the end of the first quarter.  Carmelo Anthony and Andrea Bargnani got off to a quick start, both finishing in double digit scoring by the end of the first quarter predicated by the Knicks better ball movement. The Knicks finished the first quarter with eight assist on eleven made field goals.
Basketball is a game of runs, and the second quarter featured three prolonged runs. The Clippers opened up the second quarter on an 11-2 run to take a 40-29 lead with 8:20 remaining in the second quarter. The Knicks then went on a 13-0 run to regain the lead 42-40, during this run the Clippers took and missed four straight threes. The Clippers then went on a 9-3 run to end the first half leading 49-45. During the two prolonged Clippers’ runs there was one common denominator; Amare Stoudemire was in the game defending the paint for the Knicks. The first Clipper run ended when Stoudemire was substituted out at 8:13, and then the Clippers went on the run to end the quarter when Stoudemire checked back into the game at 3:37 left in the first half. Whenever Stoudemire was in the game, there was a clear path to the rim, he was completely lost on defense. He finished the first quarter with a +/- of -21, as compared to the current best Knicks defender Kenyon Martin, who had a +17 at the end of the first half. Overall Stoudemire finished the game with an even worse+/- at an astonishing -29, while Martin was by far the best Knick in +/- staying at +17. Continue reading →

What is Shumperts Real Trade Value?

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Written by Anish Philip @dak0mish

Knicks fans overrate many of their players, especially those they draft. It’s typical of any hardcore fan of any team, but it seems amplified by the Knicks fan insatiable desire for a contender. Gallo was the next Bird depending who you spoke to. A solid player, but he won’t be starring in McDonalds commercials at any point.

The affliction occurred again with Iman Shumpert. Walsh’s final stamp on a franchise he pulled from fan hell like Dante, was selecting Shumpert with the 17th pick in the 2011 draft. Relatively unknown till the draft, the word potential was attached to his game. He couldn’t shoot, but he had NBA ready defense, great athleticism, and had above average handle for a two guard. With two non defenders in Anthony and Stoudemire, the pick was made. Continue reading →

Knicks vs Pacers – 11-20-13 – Game Recap

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Written by William Lee
 
Paul George outduels Carmelo Anthony in the Pacers overtime win against the Knicks 103-96. George sent the game to overtime on an Iman Shumpert foul on a three point attempt, he calmly knocked down all three free throws. With the game all tied up at 89-89, the Knicks had 5.2 seconds left to win the game, going with their superstar Carmelo Anthony, but he could not deliver the victory, missing on a turnaround jumper. In the extra period Paul George scored nine of his season high 35 points, to pull away from the Knicks. George showed his complete array of offensive repertoire in overtime. Drawing first blood in overtime with a three to push the Pacers ahead 92-89 with 3:43 left in overtime. Then he scored on a pull up jumper, and then got Andrea Bargnani up in the air on a pump fake, and drawing a foul, knocking down both his free throws on the next possession. With 1:08 left in overtime George hit a dagger step back jumper to put the Pacers ahead 99-93. The Knicks could not keep pace with the Pacers in overtime, as Carmelo Anthony was the only Knick who scored, that wasn’t in garbage time. He tried his best to keep the Knicks close scoring four points in the extra session.
 
Carmelo Anthony started off great, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds by the end of the first half. The Knicks were the team that looked like they were the defensive stalwarts holding the Pacer scoreless for five minutes to start the game. The Knicks were up by as many as 13 points to nothing, before the Pacers clamped down on defense. The Knicks missed ten straight field goals, fueling a Pacers 14-6 run to end the first quarter. This was highlighted by a Roy Hibbert bank in three to cut into the deficit 19-14 to finish the quarter. Continue reading →