I had access to a computer today so.. <div align="center"> @ New York Knicks @ Phoenix Suns</div> Time: 10:00 PM Eastern Time Channel: MSG, ESPN, NBALP Radio: 1050 ESPN Radio Knicks Season Stats Record: 6-12 (.333) Standings: Fourth, Atlantic At Home: 3-3 At Road: 3-9 PPG: 92.5 l Opp PPG: 95.3 FG%: .434 l Opp FG%: .435 RPG: 43.2 l Opp RPG: 39.6 Suns Season Stats Record: 12-5 (.706) Standings: Second, Pacific At Home: 8-4 At Road: 4-1 PPG: 105.8 l Opp PPG: 97.6 FG%: .467 l Opp FG%: .429 RPG: 44.1 l Opp RPG: 46.3 <font size="3"><font color="darkorange">Knicks Season Stats</font></font> <div align="center"> </div> C: Eddy Curry PF: Channing Frye SF: Malik Rose SG: Stephon Marbury PG: Nate Robinson <div align="center"><font size="2"><font color="darkorange">Knicks Leading Scorer</font></font> Stephon Marbury: 17.9 PPG, 43% FG, 28.6 3P% <font size="2"><font color="darkorange">Knicks Leading Rebounder</font></font> Eddy Curry: 1.6 OFF, 4.4 DEF, 6.0 RPG <font size="2"><font color="darkorange">Knicks Leading Assist Man</font></font> Stephon Marbury: 6.7 APG</div> <font size="3"><font color="darkorange">Suns Season Stats</font></font> <div align="center"> </div> C: Kurt Thomas PF: Shawn Marion SF: Boris Diaw SG: Raja Bell PG: Steve Nash <div align="center"><font size="2"><font color="darkorange">Suns Leading Scorer</font></font> Shawn Marion: 19.9 PPG, 49.8% FG, 30.8 3P% <font size="2"><font color="darkorange">Suns Leading Rebounder</font></font> Shawn Marion 3.5 OFF, 8.4 DEF, 11.8 RPG <font size="2"><font color="darkorange">Suns Leading Assist Man</font></font> Steve Nash: 10.7 APG vs. Nate Robinson vs. Steve Nash</div> At point guard we have the up and coming Nate Robinson against the reining MVP of the league. After losing three of his four biggest offensive threats in Johnson, Richardson, and Stoudamire this season, Nash?s assist numbers have fallen and his turnovers have increased to 4.3 per contest. With the Suns sacrificing most of their offense for defense, it is up to Nash to step it up. He is currently averaging a career high in points per game at 18.6 and has been money from the stripe shooting 96%. Nash truly is a threat and must be contained to a certain degree if the Knicks are to end up victorious tonight. Robinson knew his height would be a factor in the NBA and in this match-up he gives up half a foot to Steve Nash. Look for the offensive savvy Nash to exploit the mismatch on the offensive end, however, on defense we might be able to expect the same thing. Nash, whose terrible defense is as well-known as his terrific playmaking skills, might not be in for a cakewalk. Robinson?s explosiveness and ability to push the tempo as much as Nash mustn?t be taken for granted. Once Nate gets confidence, there?s no holding him back. <div align="center"> vs. Stephon Marbury vs. Raja Bell</div> With Marbury in the lineup against Bell, don?t expect him to dominate as effortlessly as he?s been doing. Brown inserted him into the lineup to put another ball handler into the game. Despite the low assist numbers, Marbury has been much more passive this season and has been willing to distribute the ball like a true point guard. Bell, a superior defender, has played well for Phoenix, but most notably his deftness from downtown has been impressive. It is an absolute must Marbury and the rest of the Knicks? backcourt keep a hand in the face of Bell. <div align="center"> vs. Malik Rose vs. Boris Diaw</div> Depending on what Brown thinks, we could put Ariza, or maybe even newly signed Qyntel Woods in this match-up, but since he started the last few games, I think Brown will keep him in. Boris Diaw, the athletic forward from France, was traded for Joe Johnson in the offseason and is now one of the leading candidates for the league?s Most Improved Player award. At first, it was thought the Hawks got the upper hand in the deal, but as of now, it appears as if the Suns did. Not only did they nab Diaw, who is having a better season than Johnson, but they got two first rounders from the Hawks. Although Diaw isn?t an offensive threat, he still shoots 53.5% from the field. Rose must keep an eye out for him. In addition, he?s a very good passer and averages 6.5 assists per game. So, even though he sometimes struggles creating for himself, he knows how to create for other people. Defensively he?s extremely solid as well. This could be a match-up nightmare for Rose. Can we expect some minutes from Ariza? I think so. <div align="center"> vs. Channing Frye vs. Shawn Marion</div> Since Kurt has been gone, Frye has taken his place, but this time to another level. Frye is hands down the best shooter on the Knicks and his 53% from the field is a testament of that. He also shoots 86% from the line. Not bad for a rookie, or anyone for that matter. Despite having a significant height advantage in this match-up, the Matrix is fully capable of taking it to Frye. Marion can take his man off the dribble, run the floor, and even dunk it on anyone. Yes, even with a vest full of multiple 5-pound weights like in the Nike commercial. Defense will be the key for Channing in this match-up; Marion is their leading scorer and must be watched with a careful eye. <div align="center"> vs. Eddy Curry vs. Kurt Thomas</div> The Knicks take on Mr. Crazy Eyes himself, Kurt Thomas. Thomas is obviously pumped up for this game, so Curry must match his intensity on both ends of the floor. Historically, Thomas has had trouble against Curry. Curry at 6?11?, 285 pounds, will give most players in the league trouble. After a strong 24/11 game, today will be the perfect time to follow up a strong performance. Defensively Curry has to guard the pick-and-roll which Nash will look to fully utilize. Let?s see what happens. Predictions: Post them below.
Rape is such a strong word...I think we'll keep it close. Against good teams we usually lose in the beginning, then make a run, but it's too late.
Its going 2 be a hard game to win. The key is stopping Nash. If steph can control Nash and make em shoot then we got a pretty good chance. We cant let them play fast break style. Marion can be stopped if the fast break is not implemented. The knicks might take this one.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BobbyEscobar:</div><div class="quote_post">I say the Knicks take this one 89-86</div> The last time the Suns scored below 90 points was 2003..........Do you honestly think you will win a low scoring game?!! If you win (VERY doubtful) the score will look more like 110-105.
Yay!!!! Glad to see you could make a post, MrJ I tried to make one for the Sonics game but I went Psyduck after I tried to gather information. So far we are looking good and I like that Trevor Ariza got a start out of nowhere. The starting lineup looks like one that might be a regular in the future, so I am excited!
Yeah i just put up a pretty much random score but i do thin Knicks will take this game by about 3-4 points.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Platehpus:</div><div class="quote_post">Think Marbury was a little upset with his worst game of his career? I think so.</div> I loved Marbury in Phoenix, unfortunately he never played consistent, winning basketball. I do not see Marbury as someone to build a team around. He is killing us tonight though, that was a sloppy quarter.
You're preaching to the choir, I was one of the first ones to question both Marbury and Isiah and I still stand by what I've said, that even though with the help of Larry Brown, Isiah should be nothing more than an assistant-GM or the head of scouting. He is just not smart with the salary cap and contracts.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Platehpus:</div><div class="quote_post">You're preaching to the choir, I was one of the first ones to question both Marbury and Isiah and I still stand by what I've said, that even though with the help of Larry Brown, Isiah should be nothing more than an assistant-GM or the head of scouting. He is just not smart with the salary cap and contracts.</div> Isiah has made MANY questionable calls as a GM (Marbury trade, Nazr Mohammad trade, overpaying Crawford, etc). Larry Brown will improve this team, and they have nice young prospects. I do not see them making the playoffs this season though.
seems like the knicks are addicted to losing. They can't make shots in the 4th for their life... They had so many chances too... its sad .. Nate robinson is really exciting to watch though.. one of the few positives. Marbury, crawford, and frye have no confidence whatsoever.
Follow the Knicks a bit more before you make those claims about the main Knicks not having confidence. All of them sans Marbury had been playing very well lately and it just happend that not only the Knicks, but the Suns played flat. You could tell Frye was extremely nervous, as most of the shots he missed would've fallen at MSG. I love Trevor Ariza starting, and he will only get better with more playing time. He's my boy. By the way, I think the Knicks should package David Lee and Anthony Hardaway and send them to Dallas for Marquis Daniels, ooh yeah.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting emannen:</div><div class="quote_post">The last time the Suns scored below 90 points was 2003..........Do you honestly think you will win a low scoring game?!! If you win (VERY doubtful) the score will look more like 110-105.</div>
