Official Game Thread: Bulls vs. Knicks

[50]

<div align="center"><font size="3"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Knicks vs. Bulls</font></font>

When: January 17, 2005 12:00 P.M.
TV: WGN, NBALP
Where: New York

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color="Red">Bulls Starting Squad</font></font>

<font color="Red"><font face="Comic Sans MS">
Chris Duhon-PPG 4.0 RPG 2.1 APG 4.7
Kirk Hinrich-PPG 15.9 RPG 3.9 APG 7.1
Luol Deng-PPG 12.8 RPG 5.5 APG 2.4
Antonio Davis-PPG 5.5 RPG 5.4 APG 1.0
Eddy Curry-PPG 15.1 RPG 6.1 APG .8</font></font>



<font color="Red"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Sixth Man</font></font>

<font color="Red"><font face="Comic Sans MS">
Ben Gordon-PPG 13.5 RPG 2.4 APG 1.8</font></font>




<font color="Blue"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Knicks Starting Squad</font></font>

<font color="Blue"><font face="Comic Sans MS">
Stephon Marbury-PPG 20.5 RPG 3.0 APG 8.9
Allan Houston- PPG 11.8 RPG 1.2 APG 2.1
Tim Thomas- PPG 10.6 RPG 3.5 APG 1.1
Kurt Thomas- PPG 11.7 RPG 9.9 APG 2.0
Nazr Mohammed- PPG 12.4 RPG 9.0 APG .4</font></font>

<font face="Comic Sans MS">
<font color="Blue">Sixth Man</font></font>
<font color="Blue">
<font face="Comic Sans MS">
Mike Sweetney- PPG 7.4 RPG 4.2 APG .5</div></font></font>

<div align="center"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Big Guns</font></div>

<div align="center">

</div>

This is going to be a key matchup. Eddy Curry will have around 20 points and 6 boards, along with a steal. Nazr will have around 20 points also, 10 rebounds and 3 assits.

<div align="center"><font face="Comic Sans MS">Deciding Factor</font></div>

<div align="center">

</div>

<font face="Comic Sans MS">Ben Gordon is going to have an awesome game coming off the bench and he will be determined to beat the Knicks for a second game in a row. He will have around 12 points and 7 assits.

<div align="center">Final Analysis</div>

<div align="center"><font color="Red">Some of the things that the Bulls have to do are:

1. Keep the Knicks off the Glass- They really need to do this and make sure that Nazr doesnt keep getting rebounds
2. Cut down the Second chance Points- If Nazr does get a rebound on the offensive side, they are going to get alot more baskets which translates into more points.
3. Stop The Transition Baskets- The Knicks are a very well rounded team and a fast team with Marbury and Allan Houston. We will have to stop them from getting those kinda baskets.

</font>

<font color="Blue">Some of the thing that the Knicks have to do are:

1. Run the Fast Break- Ben Gordon and Kirk are going to step in and find open baskets while running the fast break so the Knicks are going to have to put a stop to that
2. Get Alot of Boards with Nazr- If they can do this they will be alright
3. Do an excellent Job on steping up and hitting shots when needed- I havent really seen the Knicks do this so I will have to see if they can do it this game.</font>
   
   <font color="Red">Bulls</font> <font color="Blue">Knicks</font>
   <font color="Red">107</font> <font color="Blue">97</font></font>

</div>

 

[Smoke]

well nice preview; alot longer than before.

I predict the bulls to pull another upset here, but dont think for any minute that the kincks have not watched any tape form their last game. i believe the knicks will come out more prepared for this game.

Look for steph to be very aggresive in trying to get his teammates involved.

 

[I-Miss-MJ]

upset??

 

[Platehpus]

Tim Thomas isn't starting anymore.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

I really don't think you put much effort into this preview, Sonics1. You didn't give much support in your keys to the game. Oh well, keep trying previews, you'll get the hang of it.

If Mohhamed plays like he did last time with 4 or so boards and about 1 or 2 points, just disgusting. You see why I don't have much respect for Isiah now? He doesn't get the consistent men which make up a strong team. He seems to just look at PPG and RPG and pick on those bases alone.
Marbury's play recently has been spectacular, and hopefully Ariza will see more minutes again today, I think all Knicks fans want that. I think we can come through with a victory if Lenny can finally put fown some half court plays to set up Kurt outside and to get Ariza the ball in position to give him a potential cut to the hoop. This game will be about open looks and who capitlizes on them.

Prediction:
Knicks: 98
Bulls: 92

 

[KnicksUK]

Thanks for the preview, great stuff.

 

[sneballa7]

I think the we are gonna win this game. We have Crawford back for some extra scoring. I dont think the game will be as close as the last game. 95-82 Knicks

 

[Nylex]

28-20 Knicks at the end of 1, hope they can keep going!

 

[Smoke]

michael gordon played huge today.

 

[Mr. J]

Another game we coughed up. We should have never given up the lead, but what about that officiating!?!?! They missed a charge, a travel, and I think there should have been more time on the clock. Why do we let go of leads like that? Up 8 with 3 minutes to go, we let this Nocioni guy shoot an open 3 to tie the game, and then we just lose like that. This team really needs that mental part of the game down before they can go further. If Philadelphia wins today, then we will only have the Atlantic by a game. We have lost 5 of 6 and we are not protecting our home court well. What can they do so they wont give up their leads? Gordon was killing, Hinrich was killing, Chandler was killing, Deng was killing, Nocioni got them back into the game, and we just choked. Heartbreaking MLK loss. Are the Bulls better than the Knicks? How would you guys rate them with the rest of the league. It feels kind of weird losing to them. It's like they still suck but they don't. Anyways good game guys

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Quickness:</div><div class="quote_post">michael gordon played huge today.</div>
Yes he killed us at the end. Cutting the corners for those clutch floaters and that 3. Btw, it's Ben

.

 

[Smoke]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Yes he killed us at the end. Cutting the corners for those clutch floaters and that 3. Btw, it's Ben

.</div>
hey guy if you knew anything about the bulls orginization you would know that the bulls call him michael gordon. so

at that.

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Another game we coughed up. We should have never given up the lead, but what about that officiating!?!?! They missed a charge, a travel, and I think there should have been more time on the clock. Why do we let go of leads like that? Up 8 with 3 minutes to go, we let this Nocioni guy shoot an open 3 to tie the game, and then we just lose like that. This team really needs that mental part of the game down before they can go further. If Philadelphia wins today, then we will only have the Atlantic by a game. We have lost 5 of 6 and we are not protecting our home court well. What can they do so they wont give up their leads? Gordon was killing, Hinrich was killing, Chandler was killing, Deng was killing, Nocioni got them back into the game, and we just choked. Heartbreaking MLK loss. Are the Bulls better than the Knicks? How would you guys rate them with the rest of the league. It feels kind of weird losing to them. It's like they still suck but they don't. Anyways good game guys

</div>

I think the Knicks wouldve had a better shot of winning if crawford sat out. Alot of his shots were questionable. He missed alot of threes open and contested. His jumper is water inside the stripe he shouldve just stepped in.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Quickness:</div><div class="quote_post">hey guy if you knew anything about the bulls orginization you would know that the bulls call him michael gordon. so

at that.</div>
For real? Why?

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting michiganave17:</div><div class="quote_post">I think the Knicks wouldve had a better shot of winning if crawford sat out. Alot of his shots were questionable. He missed alot of threes open and contested. His jumper is water inside the stripe he shouldve just stepped in.</div>

Crawford's shooting really caught up to us as well. That shot selection was just rediculous. Also I feel like he kind of rushed back from injury he didn't look good at all.

 

[N4S]

You guys may have a nice rivalry starting up as we speak.

 

[KnicksUK]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">For real? Why?
</div>

Would have thought it had something to do with Bulls legend Michael Jordan sounding pretty similar surname-wise.

Can't believe we lost AGAIN by 2pts. The team needs some fresh faces who can keep the team together in the 4th quarter because it seems that's where we let our guard slip most.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Wow. I thought the game was at night, I missed it. From the looks of it we lost again. By two points again. Looks like we did what Layden's Knicks did, choked at key stretches of the game. Then there's Crawford's shot selection being mentioned...can someone tell me what happened exactly? Who played well? Who lost us the game? A sort of post game analysis.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">Wow. I thought the game was at night, I missed it. From the looks of it we lost again. By two points again. Looks like we did what Layden's Knicks did, choked at key stretches of the game. Then there's Crawford's shot selection being mentioned...can someone tell me what happened exactly? Who played well? Who lost us the game? A sort of post game analysis.</div>
The same thing happened to me on Saturday but, I saw the 4th though. Basically what happened was this: We started out well and had like a 10 point lead before the Bulls started chipping it away at the half. Houston started off well but didn't play much in the second half. Then in the 3rd, it was close throughout. Kirk Hinrich was really contributing in the 3rd and kept the Bulls in the game. As the 4th quarter came, the Knicks were pulling away and had I believe an 8 point lead with about 3 minutes to go. Then Ben Gordon starts killing. He first makes a 3 and made very hard/contested/clutch layups and floaters. The Knicks as usual were playing sloppy with the lead, and with a minute left Nocioni made a wide open 3 to tie it. Then after the Knicks missed a shot, there was like 35+ seconds on the game clock. As time was going, Ben Gordon drove down the middle, and <font size="2"><u><font color="Red">CLEARLY</font></u></font> ran into Kurt Thomas for a charge, but we know officials these days

... After that Nocioni travels with the ball and I believe it gets deflected out and Bulls have final possesion. In the final possesion, Gordon cuts the corner with Sweetney on him and with the little day light given to him, he makes a running floater to give the bulls a lead with 0.1 on the clock. They couldn't even inbound it so Kurt Thomas just shoots a 3 at the end of the buzzer. That last play at the end because of the officials hurt us.

Crawford just coming back from injuries, got more time than Houston, and because Lenny never sat him down, he felt encouraged to keep on taking contested, turnaround, fadeaway, jumpers. He was 4-14 and 0-7 from 3. Down the strecth it shot us in the foot.

Marbury and Kurt Thomas played very well today. Marbury scored well today but the funny thing is he missed a 4th quarter freethrwo. We weren't in immediate danger but, it is funny how he chokes in the clutch. Kurt Thomas of course we know was stroking that midrange J, and kept Curry on lock again. He was only 5-16.

 

[02civic]

too many complaints about officiating. Knicks didnt deserve to win, the Bulls did...end of story.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

I was there, 02civic. And Nocioni DID travel. It's a fact. Did you even watch the game? :suspicous (I would write more but I'm afraid I'll say something I'll later regret)

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">too many complaints about officiating. Knicks didnt deserve to win, the Bulls did...end of story.</div>
You can't get anymore evidence than that! The man was there live watching the injustice unfold.

Did you even see the game?

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">The same thing happened to me on Saturday but, I saw the 4th though. Basically what happened was this: We started out well and had like a 10 point lead before the Bulls started chipping it away at the half. Houston started off well but didn't play much in the second half. Then in the 3rd, it was close throughout. Kirk Hinrich was really contributing in the 3rd and kept the Bulls in the game. As the 4th quarter came, the Knicks were pulling away and had I believe an 8 point lead with about 3 minutes to go. Then Ben Gordon starts killing. He first makes a 3 and made very hard/contested/clutch layups and floaters. The Knicks as usual were playing sloppy with the lead, and with a minute left Nocioni made a wide open 3 to tie it. Then after the Knicks missed a shot, there was like 35+ seconds on the game clock. As time was going, Ben Gordon drove down the middle, and <font size="2"><u><font color="Red">CLEARLY</font></u></font> ran into Kurt Thomas for a charge, but we know officials these days

... After that Nocioni travels with the ball and I believe it gets deflected out and Bulls have final possesion. In the final possesion, Gordon cuts the corner with Sweetney on him and with the little day light given to him, he makes a running floater to give the bulls a lead with 0.1 on the clock. They couldn't even inbound it so Kurt Thomas just shoots a 3 at the end of the buzzer. That last play at the end because of the officials hurt us.

Crawford just coming back from injuries, got more time than Houston, and because Lenny never sat him down, he felt encouraged to keep on taking contested, turnaround, fadeaway, jumpers. He was 4-14 and 0-7 from 3. Down the strecth it shot us in the foot.

Marbury and Kurt Thomas played very well today. Marbury scored well today but the funny thing is he missed a 4th quarter freethrwo. We weren't in immediate danger but, it is funny how he chokes in the clutch. Kurt Thomas of course we know was stroking that midrange J, and kept Curry on lock again. He was only 5-16.</div>

In other words...we choked when the game was on the line. Reminds me of Layden's Knicks. They would play very well and be in the lead during the first half then they'd fall apart when it mattered most. Houston didnt play much of the second half?? That's surprising considering he was 5-10. Crawford killed us it seems and from what the newspapers keep saying we couldnt stop them from driving to the basket. The biggest stat that leaped out at me from the boxscore, other than Crawford's shooting, were the rebounds. We were completely outhustled. I'm not one to complain too much about officiating if the refereeing is consistent but you make it sound like it was terrible. And it has become obvious that Marbury is not a "primetime" player and no it isnt funny. Maybe if he was still in Pheonix it would be funny but not now when he's playing for us.

I thought Sweetney played defense against Curry most of the time. I mean that's what Lenny did in the previous game. Sweetney looks like he's clearly a better player than Curry. All in all I'd say it looks like Wilkens was simply outcoached...again. Crawford was a liability on both ends of the court and Houston didnt get a chance to deliver during crunchtime. You think we're better without Crawford?

Another tough loss. I wish we still had Mutumbo. He could have stopped Ben Gordon from walking all over us in the fourth. But oh well, it's time to look ahead. We're three games under .500 now. Toronto, Houston(the team) and Milwaukee are all next. These games are all winnable. If we win these games we'll be back at .500. So let's keep our fingers crossed and hope Lenny is inspired to coach well for these games(at least the Houston game) or hope he's fired.

 

[02civic]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">You can't get anymore evidence than that! The man was there live watching the injustice unfold.

Did you even see the game?</div>


yep. Saw the game. Twice actually.


i saw the game. And i didnt say he didnt travel...what i said is that everytime the Knicks loose the officials are blamed. Calls will be made that are wrong, even down the stretch...for both sides. But you're only paying attention to the one's that hurt you. If the bulls had lost they'd be complaining about calls as well. Its just part of the game. And its no worse for the Knicks than anybody else in the league.

 

[02civic]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">You can't get anymore evidence than that! The man was there live watching the injustice unfold.

Did you even see the game?</div>


yep


i saw the game. And i didnt say he didnt travel...what i said is that everytime the Knicks loose the officials are blamed. Calls will be made that are wrong, even down the stretch...for both sides. But you're only paying attention to the one's that hurt you. If the bulls had lost they'd be complaining about calls as well...though off the top of my head i cant remember to many game threads from other team forums ending with official blaming. But i can think of alot from this one.

just my 2cents.

 

[Mr. J]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">yep. Saw the game. Twice actually.


i saw the game. And i didnt say he didnt travel...what i said is that everytime the Knicks loose the officials are blamed. Calls will be made that are wrong, even down the stretch...for both sides. But you're only paying attention to the one's that hurt you. If the bulls had lost they'd be complaining about calls as well. Its just part of the game. And its no worse for the Knicks than anybody else in the league.</div>
I guess you have league pass or MSG. Anyways, unfair calls will be made and they do hurt you down the stretch, but it is a whole different story when it is the last seconds of the game. No not everytime the Knicks lose, it is the officials fault. As players are playing, they adjust to the officials whistles. Games where the officials clearly mess up, and we lose the game then who is to blame. Hypothetically, if something similar were to happen to the Knicks and Raptors today, then I just get this feeling you feel the same way too. Or at least be upset.

 

[02civic]

oh for sure ^, it happens. But it's important that you hate the call/non-call, and then turn your attention and focus your attention on the things that the players/coach could control, that could of kept them from being a few bad calls away from a loss.