New York versus Sacramento

[Mr. J]

<font color="darkorange">New York Knicks(13-26)</font> @ <font color="indigo">Sacramento Kings (17-24)</font>
Madison Square Garden, New York
Wednesday, Jan. 25th
7:30pm, MSG, CSN-West, NBALP

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<font size="2">The Knicks took six steps forward only to take five steps backwards. Now playing a Sacramento Kings team suffering from a defeat yesterday in Philadelphia, will the Knicks finally rebound from their slew of losses, or will Isiah have yet ANOTHER problem on his hands?</font>

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<font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="indigo">Sacramento Kings</font></div></font>
Projected Starters

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Backcourt

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/mike_bibby.jpg[/imgl]<font color="indigo">PG ? Mike Bibby</font>
20.8ppg, 3.0apg, 44.2%fg
Mike Bibby just came off a career night scoring 44 points shooting 72% from the field. I saw the game on NBATV and the man was simply unconscious knocking down three after three. At least we have Marbury back to play defense on him to make things tougher. Perimeter defense must be at its best.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kevin_martin.jpg[/imgl]<font color="indigo">SG ? Kevin Martin </font>
8.4ppg, 3.3rpg, 1.3apg
This guy is athletic and gave us problems last year. He?s also a high percentage shooter mostly due to his drives to the rim. His shot has improved since last year, but his forte is taking it in and using his athleticism has he swoops to the hoop.

FrontCourt

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/francisco_garcia.jpg[/imgl]<font color="indigo">SF ? Francisco Garcia </font>
6.0ppg, 2.7rpg, 1.6apg
Don?t let the numbers fool you?Francisco Garcia can shoot the ball. He was a big-time threat at Louisville and with the Knicks perimeter defense, he might get hot. He?s also a gifted passer, but his thin frame will be a problem, especially going up against Lee or Richardson.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brad_miller.jpg[/imgl]<font color="indigo">C ?Brad Miller</font>
14.4ppg, 7.9rpg, 5.3apg
He?s the total package and what?s even more impressive is that he was never drafted. Brad can shoot the ball, and rebound, but what?s most impressive is his ability to pass for a big guy. The Knicks must be aware of his scouting report before they decide to double or not play any defense at all.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/kenny_thomas.jpg[/imgl]<font color="indigo">PF ? Kenny Thomas</font>
8.3ppg, 5.7rpg, 1.9apg
I developed a strong dislike for Kenny Thomas after he banked that lucky three to beat us in double overtime about two years ago. Thomas is a good rebounder and can shoot the ball, so the Knicks can?t forget about this despite size.

<u>Keys To Game</u>

<font color="indigo">Three-Point Goals:</font> If the Kings can nail ?em from downtown, they can almost certainly win since the Knicks play no defense. The play on the perimeter will probably be the deciding factor to whether the Kings win or lose.

<font color="indigo">Role Players:</font> With Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Peja Stojakovic, and Bonzi Wells out, the kings will need their roles players to step up and help. Mike Bibby?s 44 points and an L is a perfect example.

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<font size="3"><div align="center"><font color="darkorange">New York Knicks</font></div></font>
Projected Starters

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Backcourt

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/nate_robinson.jpg[/imgl]<font color="DarkOrange">PG ? Nate Robinson</font>
9.4ppg, 2.9rpg, 1.9apg
If Nathaniel the Great can stay out of foul trouble we?ll be in business. Nate?s been on a role lately, but has been plagued by foul trouble as a result of charging. We need is energy, heart, and three-point shooting.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/stephon_marbury.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SG ? Stephon Marbury </font>
18.9ppg, 7.0apg, 3.4pg
Marbury?s back! Finally! We needed Marbury a lot when he?s been out with the sprained shoulder. Now that he?s returned to the lineup, we?ll see how much better the Knicks are with him?the best point guard to step foot on the planet.

Frontcourt

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/david_lee.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">SF ? David Lee</font>
5.2ppg, 5.5rpg, 0.8apg
Lee will have the obvious advantage over Garcia. He?s a much better rebounder and has the size advantage over him. Lee, however, has had problems keeping up with opposing small forwards. Garcia hasn?t been doing much on the offense this year, so I don?t think Lee will have a problem.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/eddy_curry.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">C ? Eddy Curry </font>
14.6ppg, 6.5rpg, 1.0bpg
It should be interesting watching Curry go up against the two-time all-star, Brad Miller. Curry was playing like a gentle giant against the Hornets. We need him to call for the ball all the time. He shoots 55% from the field; he deserves the ball.

[imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/antonio_davis.jpg[/imgl]<font color="darkorange">PF ? Channing Frye</font>
14.4ppg, 6.0rpg, 51% fg
He?s officially hit the rookie wall, but going up against Sacramento where he had his first career high in points might give him some confidence. With Frye having the four-inch height advantage on Kenny Thomas I think his jumper will be wet all game long.

<u>Keys To The Game</u>

<font color="darkorange">D-friggin-fence:</font> The Knicks are just not playing any defense whatsoever. With Marbury returning leading the team, will their defense improve? I doubt it, but it?s worth a try, I guess.

<font color="darkorange">Interior Defense:</font> Chris Paul was getting in the paint way too easily, especially for a six-foot rookie. This has to stop; Frye and Curry must make the opposition pay either with a block or a hard foul.

Prediction: Post them below.

 

[Shapecity]

This is a great opportunity for the Knicks to steal a game. The Kings are obviously distracted by the Ron Artest rumors, and if they come out flat, the Knicks are good enough to beat them.

The Kings rely on their jump shooting to win games, so the perimeter defense of NY has to be ready to get a hand in their face and contest every jumper.

The Knicks have to be aware of Kenny Thomas at all times. He's been on a tear since he became a starter and his hustle has to be matched by Frye or whatever PF Larry uses in this game.

 

[rookie789]

we gonna win it, it'll be an easy win

 

[Midnight Green]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting rookie789:</div><div class="quote_post">we gonna win it, it'll be an easy win</div>
Well they lost...

 

[Mr. J]

Win 6, lose 6. No progress.

 

[j0se]

Christ...imagine if they had Ron Artest tonight.

Anyway, alot of bad calls by the refs, I hope we get an upgrade at SG/SF, I'm really disappointed with Q and Crawford, especially Crawford who I been rooting for all year...damn...it just doesn't feel good.

 

[rookie789]

damn we lost, it sucks and q had been struggling the whole season... but he can play some man to man defense though he can force superstar guards to take jumpshots instead of driving to the basket

 

[Shapecity]

The Knicks defense failed them in OT. The Kings ran that pick and roll to death with Bibby hitting wide open looks. Expect Larry Brown to have the team focus on the correct way to defend it. Stephon Marbury kept getting picked, but the big man didn't step out on the shooter (Bibby.)

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">The Knicks defense failed them in OT. The Kings ran that pick and roll to death with Bibby hitting wide open looks. Expect Larry Brown to have the team focus on the correct way to defend it. Stephon Marbury kept getting picked, but the big man didn't step out on the shooter (Bibby.)</div>

Yup that pick and roll killed us. But that really is nothing new. Larry Brown has been focusing on the proper way to defend the pick and roll since he's gotten here but the guys on the court just dont listen. We really should have had this game. No Artest, no Bonzi and Brad Miller choking, this should have been a win. You guys think we can trade Richardson to the Nets for one of their useless players and one of their first round picks?


Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.

 

[Mr. J]

^I don't think so. The Nets don't want to pack salaries they don't have to. Right now, the way Q-Rich is playing we'd be lucky to get back a second rounder for him. He needs to bounce back and prove he's more than a player averaging 7.4 points on a 35% shooting and 31% from downtown.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MrJ:</div><div class="quote_post">^I don't think so. The Nets don't want to pack salaries they don't have to. Right now, the way Q-Rich is playing we'd be lucky to get back a second rounder for him. He needs to bounce back and prove he's more than a player averaging 7.4 points on a 35% shooting and 31% from downtown.</div>

All that's true. But the Nets are looking to win as much as they possibly can right away. Richardson has already proven he excels in an up tempo style of play alongside a great pass first point guard(Steve Nash), he'll improve their depth and give them some sort of insurance policy on Vince Carter. In return all I want is a late first rounder(the Nets have two of them) and a scrub their not even using. That sounds like a fair trade off to me.


Anyway I think Isiah Thomas should be fired.

 

[Mr. J]

^You have a point there about the up-tempo style and Carter has add some back issues, so they might. How's Marc Jackson, Linton Johnson, and Lammond Murray?