Mr. J
Triple Up
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- Aug 25, 2004
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<font color="darkorange">New York Knicks(13-21)</font> @ <font color="red">Chicago Bulls (15-22)</font>
Madison Square Garden, New York
Wednesday, Jan. 18th
8:30pm, MSG, CSN-Chicago, NBALP
<div align="center">
@
</div>
<font size="2">Are the Knicks taking a step backwards? After an impressive six-game winning streak, the Knicks are now on a two game winning streak with their captain, Stephon Marbury possibly out, could the Knicks put themselves back in the hole they dug themselves into at the beginning of the season? With Chicago, another struggling team, fighting to make the playoffs, expect a dramatic confrontation, especially with so many former Knicks and Bulls players.</font>
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<font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="red">Chicago Bulls</font></div></font>
Projected Starters
<div align="center">
</div>
Backcourt
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_hinrich.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PG – Kirk Hinrich</font>
14.4ppg, 6.5apg, 41.3%fg
I love Kirk’s game. He plays great defense, can score and dish the basketball very well. What’s not to like about him. He’s been a leader ever since he’s been a part of the Bulls franchise and is one of the captains. The Knicks need to be aware of Hinrich’s shooting ability and guard the friggin’ pereimeter!
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_gordon.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">SG – Ben Gordon </font>
14.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.7apg
Ben Gordon, last year’s Sixth Man of the Year, is as good a scorer as there is … and … well … hmm … that’s all he does. His defense needs work, he’s extremely turnover prone, doesn’t rebound or pass well, and can get out of control on offense sometimes. If the Knicks play good defense and shut Gordon down, expect him to be a non-factor.
FrontCourt
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luol_deng.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">SF –Luol Deng </font>
13.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.8apg
Deng, a one-time Blue Devil, is an athletic swingman who normally comes off the bench, but started the last game. Deng has an improved jumper and shoots 47% from the field. Most of his points come off drives, but, being wide open, I’m sure he can knock down some shots.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/othella_harrington.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">C – OthellA Harrington</font>
5.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 0.5apg
Remember him when he was with the Knicks? Listed at 6’9”, Harrington is more like 6’7”. He started over Chandler last game for some odd reason. If he, at a generous 6’7”, 235 pounds goes up against Curry, I wonder who’ll win.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_sweetney.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PF – Michael Sweetney </font>
10.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg
Watching Sweetney for the past two years, we know what to expect from him: hard work, rebounding, and a post presence. One flaw Sweetney has is his fouling. Often times Sweetney picks up two quick fouls and plays only about 20 minutes or so when he could be playing 30+ minutes.
<u>Keys To Game</u>
<font color="red">Defense:</font> The Bulls used to be a top-notch defensive team, but they’ve lost it a bit. Now, the Bulls are averaging around 97 points per game. Also, against a tough defense, especially zone, the Knicks struggle.
<font color="red">Rebounding:</font> Another bad rebounding team, Chicago needs to limit second chance buckets because the Knicks are the fourth best rebounding team. With the Knicks struggling from the outside, they will look to take it inside.
[/div]
<font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font>
Projected Starters
<div align="center">
???
</div>
Backcourt
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nate_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkOrange">PG – Nate Robinson</font>
9.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.9apg
Nate’s energy must be used tonight. With Marbury likely out, Robinson will need to take things into his own hands while letting the game come to him. He also needs to limit things on the opposing backcourt. He is at a disadvantage with his height, but, as he said, he can play like a giant. Do that, Nate.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jamal_crawford.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SG – Jamal Crawford</font>
15.2ppg, 3.4apg, 3.6rpg
Marbury’s probably out, so Crawford must step up. Crawford’s been great at times, but he’s also been not too great. With Crawford playing his former team, will he be pumped up? Last time he dropped 28 points including that ankle-breaker on Gordon, that behind the head pass to Ariza, and those many wet jumpers.
Frontcourt
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/david_lee.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF – David Lee</font>
5.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 0.8apg
It will be nice for the Bulls to see Lee in the starting lineup. They were originally trying to steal him from us in the Curry trade. They made him a promise if they could get a pick in the draft, but, unfortunately, they didn’t. Lee will have to outrebound Deng and keep him in check.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C – Eddy Curry </font>
14.5ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.0bpg
Now coming back to Chicago facing his former team, I look forward to seeing what Curry would do. Now with a healthy heart, Curry should do some damage, especially with Othella Harrington on him (what a joke). Hopefully Curry drops 20+ points with 7+ rebounds.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/antonio_davis.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF – Antonio Davis</font>
4.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 0.29bpg
If Davis can get Sweetney into some foul trouble, it will be a huge plus. Davis must use his experience over the three-year veteran and rebound the basketball. If he does that I’ll be happy. Then people will think he’s useful and we can hopefully get someone good with his expiring contract.
<u>Keys To The Game</u>
<font color="darkorange">Deal With the Friggin’ Zone:</font> Teams are finding out: the Knicks can’t shoot! The Knicks are getting many open looks when the zone is being played, but they just can’t knock them down. We can’t afford any bad days with our record. The Knicks must hit their shots!
<font color="darkorange">Interior Offense:</font> If we can’t get anything from the outside, we’ll just have to attack the inside. Curry can’t afford to struggle like he did against Minnesota where he missed layups and other easy baskets. We didn’t give up Sweetney, two first round picks, and two second round picks for that.
Prediction: Post them below.
Madison Square Garden, New York
Wednesday, Jan. 18th
8:30pm, MSG, CSN-Chicago, NBALP
<div align="center">
<font size="2">Are the Knicks taking a step backwards? After an impressive six-game winning streak, the Knicks are now on a two game winning streak with their captain, Stephon Marbury possibly out, could the Knicks put themselves back in the hole they dug themselves into at the beginning of the season? With Chicago, another struggling team, fighting to make the playoffs, expect a dramatic confrontation, especially with so many former Knicks and Bulls players.</font>
[div=50%]
<font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="red">Chicago Bulls</font></div></font>
Projected Starters
<div align="center">
Backcourt
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kirk_hinrich.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PG – Kirk Hinrich</font>
14.4ppg, 6.5apg, 41.3%fg
I love Kirk’s game. He plays great defense, can score and dish the basketball very well. What’s not to like about him. He’s been a leader ever since he’s been a part of the Bulls franchise and is one of the captains. The Knicks need to be aware of Hinrich’s shooting ability and guard the friggin’ pereimeter!
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/ben_gordon.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">SG – Ben Gordon </font>
14.3ppg, 2.1rpg, 2.7apg
Ben Gordon, last year’s Sixth Man of the Year, is as good a scorer as there is … and … well … hmm … that’s all he does. His defense needs work, he’s extremely turnover prone, doesn’t rebound or pass well, and can get out of control on offense sometimes. If the Knicks play good defense and shut Gordon down, expect him to be a non-factor.
FrontCourt
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/luol_deng.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">SF –Luol Deng </font>
13.5ppg, 6.2rpg, 1.8apg
Deng, a one-time Blue Devil, is an athletic swingman who normally comes off the bench, but started the last game. Deng has an improved jumper and shoots 47% from the field. Most of his points come off drives, but, being wide open, I’m sure he can knock down some shots.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/othella_harrington.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">C – OthellA Harrington</font>
5.7ppg, 2.9rpg, 0.5apg
Remember him when he was with the Knicks? Listed at 6’9”, Harrington is more like 6’7”. He started over Chandler last game for some odd reason. If he, at a generous 6’7”, 235 pounds goes up against Curry, I wonder who’ll win.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_sweetney.jpg[/imgl]<font color="red">PF – Michael Sweetney </font>
10.1ppg, 6.0rpg, 1.1apg
Watching Sweetney for the past two years, we know what to expect from him: hard work, rebounding, and a post presence. One flaw Sweetney has is his fouling. Often times Sweetney picks up two quick fouls and plays only about 20 minutes or so when he could be playing 30+ minutes.
<u>Keys To Game</u>
<font color="red">Defense:</font> The Bulls used to be a top-notch defensive team, but they’ve lost it a bit. Now, the Bulls are averaging around 97 points per game. Also, against a tough defense, especially zone, the Knicks struggle.
<font color="red">Rebounding:</font> Another bad rebounding team, Chicago needs to limit second chance buckets because the Knicks are the fourth best rebounding team. With the Knicks struggling from the outside, they will look to take it inside.
[/div]
<font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font>
Projected Starters
<div align="center">
Backcourt
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nate_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkOrange">PG – Nate Robinson</font>
9.0ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.9apg
Nate’s energy must be used tonight. With Marbury likely out, Robinson will need to take things into his own hands while letting the game come to him. He also needs to limit things on the opposing backcourt. He is at a disadvantage with his height, but, as he said, he can play like a giant. Do that, Nate.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/jamal_crawford.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SG – Jamal Crawford</font>
15.2ppg, 3.4apg, 3.6rpg
Marbury’s probably out, so Crawford must step up. Crawford’s been great at times, but he’s also been not too great. With Crawford playing his former team, will he be pumped up? Last time he dropped 28 points including that ankle-breaker on Gordon, that behind the head pass to Ariza, and those many wet jumpers.
Frontcourt
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/david_lee.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF – David Lee</font>
5.2ppg, 5.0rpg, 0.8apg
It will be nice for the Bulls to see Lee in the starting lineup. They were originally trying to steal him from us in the Curry trade. They made him a promise if they could get a pick in the draft, but, unfortunately, they didn’t. Lee will have to outrebound Deng and keep him in check.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C – Eddy Curry </font>
14.5ppg, 6.7rpg, 1.0bpg
Now coming back to Chicago facing his former team, I look forward to seeing what Curry would do. Now with a healthy heart, Curry should do some damage, especially with Othella Harrington on him (what a joke). Hopefully Curry drops 20+ points with 7+ rebounds.
[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/antonio_davis.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF – Antonio Davis</font>
4.7ppg, 4.8rpg, 0.29bpg
If Davis can get Sweetney into some foul trouble, it will be a huge plus. Davis must use his experience over the three-year veteran and rebound the basketball. If he does that I’ll be happy. Then people will think he’s useful and we can hopefully get someone good with his expiring contract.
<u>Keys To The Game</u>
<font color="darkorange">Deal With the Friggin’ Zone:</font> Teams are finding out: the Knicks can’t shoot! The Knicks are getting many open looks when the zone is being played, but they just can’t knock them down. We can’t afford any bad days with our record. The Knicks must hit their shots!
<font color="darkorange">Interior Offense:</font> If we can’t get anything from the outside, we’ll just have to attack the inside. Curry can’t afford to struggle like he did against Minnesota where he missed layups and other easy baskets. We didn’t give up Sweetney, two first round picks, and two second round picks for that.
Prediction: Post them below.
