IT’S TIME FOR HORNACEK TO STEP IT UP

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IT’S TIME FOR HORNACEK TO STEP IT UP

 Written by Guillem – @GoodOldLiam

Don’t get me wrong. I like what Hornacek has done so far.

Did I expect more? Not really. I liked what he did in Phoenix. How he had a creative offense, a fun team to watch. How he did the A/B teams, showing he will get the best out of the full roster. And I like his character.

He’s just done what I expected; I expected very good things from him.

Now he needs to find ways to improve the performance of the team. Not just wins. Offense and defense.

Right now we are 14th in offense and 25th in defense. With a net rating of -2.9, we are the 20th best team. However, in terms of winning %, we are 12th.

What does that mean? Continue reading →

New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics – 12/25/16 – Game Recap

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New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics
Game 30: December 25, 2016
Celtics 119, Knicks 114

Written by Eric Weinstein – @ericcweinsteinn

A blue, blue Knicksmas:

After being left off the Christmas Day slate last season, the Knicks took on the Boston Celtics at MSG for a Christmas matinee. The Knicks hung around with the Celtics all game, even tying the game with under 3 minutes to go, but ultimately fell to the green and white, 119-114. Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 29 points, but struggled shooting, going 9-24 from the field. Derrick Rose had 25 points, and Kristaps Porzingis scored 21. Isaiah Thomas, who in my opinion is one of the most fun players to watch in the NBA, paced Boston with 27 points and gave the Knicks fits all afternoon.

Takeaways from this game

Way too much isolation:

We’ve seen this movie before. In previous years, when the Knicks would fall behind they would go too often to the Iso-Melo offense, and it would often lead to stagnant offensive sets. Continue reading →

New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers – 12/20/16

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New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers
Game 28: December 20, 2016
Knicks 118, Pacers 111

Written by Eric Weinstein – @ericcweinsteinn

‘Member Carmelo? ‘Member how he can score efficiently? Yeah, I ‘member!

The Knicks finally returned home after their long west coast trip to face the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. After falling behind in the third quarter, the Knicks stormed back and took the lead back in the fourth quarter to win the game 118-111. Carmelo Anthony snapped out of his shooting slump to lead the Knicks with 35 points on 13-25 shooting, which was the first time he shot over 50% in what feels like forever. I’ve been incredibly critical of Carmelo the past few weeks, but he showed his elite offensive game tonight. The returning Derrick Rose had 24 points and 6 assists, and Kristaps Porzingis 21 points and 8 rebounds. The big three put on a show for the home crowd and brought the Knicks all the way back. Thad Young and Myles Turner led the Pacers with 21 points each, and Paul George had 16 points.

Takeaways from this game:

Continue reading →

Episode 361: The Sky is Falling

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Marc and Jay talk about the losing streak, injuries, the roster, Noah, and more

Listen to Episode 361 on Itunes

Listen to the Almighty Baller Podcast Network on iTunes

or check out the rest of the Almighty Baller Podcast Network at AlmightyBaller.com.

Download Episode 361

New York Knicks at Denver Nuggets – 12/17/16 – Game Recap

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New York Knicks at Denver Nuggets
Game 27: December 17, 2016
Nuggets 127, Knicks 114

Written by Eric Weinstein – @ericcweinsteinn

So much for that promising road trip.

The Knicks concluded the west coast swing in Denver, Colorado tonight to and met the Nuggets at Pepsi Center. Hoping to finish this trip on a positive note, the Knicks did quite the opposite and dropped this game to the Nuggets, 127-114. New York looked like they had been away from home for five games, as the Nuggets came out with more energy from the get-go.

Carmelo Anthony returned after his one game absence to lead the Knicks with 29 points against his former team. Kristaps Porzingis scored 22 points along with 7 rebounds. The Nuggets were led by 25 points on 10-11 shooting by Kenneth Faried who looked as if he had been shot out of a cannon all night. Emmanuel Mudiay went for 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Takeaways from this game:

Continue reading →

New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors – 12/15/16 – Game Recap

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New York Knicks at Golden State Warriors
Game 26: December 12, 2016
Warriors 103, Knicks 90

Written by Eric Weinstein – @ericcweinsteinn

It definitely could have been worse.

So the Knicks took on the juggernaut that is the Golden State Warriors tonight in Oakland on the fourth game of a five game western swing, and came up short, 103-90. Considering the firepower that the Warriors possess with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green, a thirteen point loss feels ok, especially with Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose watching in street clothes. The unlikely leader in scoring tonight was former Warrior Justin Holiday, who finished the game with 15 points. Ron Baker scored 13 off the bench on 6-7 shooting, and Brandon Jennings, who started for Rose, had 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Klay Thompson led Golden State with 25 points, and Steph Curry finished with 8 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Kevin Durant had 15 points, 14 boards, and 8 assists.

Takeaways from this game:

Draymond is the worst possible matchup for KP. Continue reading →

New York Knicks at Phoenix Suns – 12/13/16 – Game Recap

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New York Knicks at Phoenix Suns
Game 25: December 13, 2016
Suns 113, Knicks 111

Written by Eric Weinstein – @ericcweinsteinn

Overtime Stinker.

The Knicks were riding high on a four game road winning streak coming into Phoenix tonight, but couldn’t get the job done against the Suns and lost 113-111. New York spoiled an incredible game from Kristaps Porzingis, who finished this one with 34 points, 8 rebounds and 4 three pointers. Kyle O’Quinn also had an excellent game off the bench, scoring a season high 22 points while pulling down 14 rebounds, a truly remarkable game for KO. Even though these guys were carrying the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony had his second straight bad shooting night, as he finished 3-15 for 13 points. Derrick Rose left the game after the first quarter as his back acted up again. Former Knick Tyson Chandler had a game that was a throwback to his New York days with 13 points and 23 rebounds. Eric Bledsoe had 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists for Phoenix.

Takeaways from this Game

#TrapGame:

This was a game the Knicks had to win, and they didn’t. Continue reading →

New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers – 12/11/16 – Game Recap

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New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers
Game 24: December 11, 2016
Knicks 118, Lakers 112

Written by Eric Weinstein – @ericcweinsteinn

Game two of the five game road trip of death took the Knicks to Hollywood for a Sunday night matchup with the Lakers at Staples Center. The Knicks had a number of opportunities to blow this game wide open, but couldn’t hold the Lakers down long enough to pull away. New York hung on and defeated the Lakers 118-112. Derrick Rose was back in the starting lineup after missing the past two games with a back injury and he came out of the gates on fire, hitting his first 8 shots from the field and finishing the game with 25 points. Kristaps Porzingis snapped out of his shooting funk and led the Knicks with 26 points on 8-15 shooting, along with 12 rebounds and 7 blocks. Brandon Jennings helped seal the game with an incredible fourth quarter, and he chipped in with 19 points and 4 assists. Lou Williams led the Lakers with 24 points off the bench, and Luol Deng, another underperforming 72 million dollar man, had 22 points.

Takeaways from this game

The Guards:

Continue reading →

Episode 360: Talking Knicks with Jim Cavan

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Marc, Jay, and Jim Cavan talk about Phil Jacksons comments, the Knicks last few games, rumors, trades, you name it we covered it tonight.

Listen to Episode 360: Talking Knicks with Jim Cavan

Listen to the Almighty Baller Podcast Network on iTunes

or check out the rest of the Almighty Baller Podcast Network at AlmightyBaller.com.

Download Episode 360

New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers – 12/7/16 – Game Recap

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New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Game 22: December 7, 2016
Cavaliers 126, Knicks 94

Written by Eric Weinstein – @ericcweinsteinn

Well that was ugly.

On the second night of a back to back, The Knicks got their tails kicked by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 126-94. The Cavs steamrolled the Knicks right out of the gate, as they hit 23 three pointers to lead them to a 32 point win. The big three of Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and of course LeBron James, combined for 74 points, with Irving leading the way with 28 points. Brandon Jennings, who filled in for the injured Derrick Rose, led the Knicks with 16 points. Carmelo Anthony had only 8 points on 9 shot attempts, and Kristaps Porzingis finished with 12 points.

Takeaways from this game:

The Cavs are out of the Knicks league. Continue reading →