Preview- Knicks Vs. Toronto

[Knicks Analyst]

Game data:
1:00 pm EST Sat Nov 27, 2004
TV: RNET, MSG

<font color="Indigo">Toronto </font>@ <font color="Blue">New York</font>

Starting Line-ups
<font color="Blue">New York</font>:
PG: Stephon Marbury (Team Leader in APG and PPG)
2G: Jamal Crawford
SF: Tim Thomas *sigh*
PF: Kurt Thomas *Applause*
C: Nazy Mohhamed

<font color="Indigo">Toronto</font>
PG: Rafer Alston ( Team Leader in APG)
SG: Vince Carter
SF: Jalen Rose
PF: Chris Bosh
C: Loren Woods

<font size="4">Key Match-Ups:</font>
To tell you the truth, every single match-up in this game is important. None stick out in particular.

Keys to the Game (for the Knicks)
1,2,3,4...Oh yeah.
The Knicks have to really step it up on defense in 4,5,6, different ways.
(No particular order)

1.We have to keep Toronto from snagging offensive boards in the later parts of the game. Offensive rebounds and put-backs have damaged the Knicks in the past.

2.We have to keep Toronto from getting easy buckets in the early and late stages of the game. Palacio lit the Knicks on fire last time, we can't have that happen again. I have one question. WILL SOMEONE TAG VINCE? Geez, the Knicks seemed so intimidated by Carter last game that it made me sick. Let's get close to him and cause him to make some adjustments. PLEASE!

3.If possible, prevent Bosh from having a break-out game. Bosh has acted as a killer before, let's not let it happen in our domain.

4.Communication, communication, communication. A coach can never stress that word enough. The Knicks simply weren't running their mouths on defense in Toronto. Now how do you expect to keep yourselves from an onslaught of Carter-Rose-Bosh buckets and scores without calling switches, or giving each other help? You can't. Let's hear some talking tommorow, guys.

5. Give Ariza some minutes. The kid has the best perimeter defense on the team. I know that's not saying much. But Ariza really has what it takes to disturb some plays and force adjustments. We all experienced Toronto playing a smooth-tempo game and we saw some great plays from Toronto. If we had eliminated some of those, the tempo would've cracked. With a split tempo, you get oppurtunities to shut them down on defense and capitalize on offense. So Lenny, let's see some of Ariza, huh? How's about it?

6.<font size="6">Michael Sweetney.</font> That's music to all Knicks fans' ears. The boy is a real defensive playmaker when he's provided with enough minutes. And the kid can really get offensive rebounds, giving us second chances and milking the clock. Also, they are good for snapping a defensive rhythm set by the opposing team. Offensive success feeds off of defensive success. Period.


________________________



Team MVPs (This is a real toss-up):
Knicks- Kurt Thomas

Raptors- Chris Bosh

_______________________


My prediction:
I honestly think that if the Knicks do 4 of those 6 defensive adjustments very well, or do all of them to an extent that they will win this game. This game is decided by the coaches, especially Wilkens.

If Lenny Wilkens reads this preview and implements my suggestions the Knicks will win 98-93.

If the defensive adjustments aren't made I expect a loss - a bad one.
Toronto: 104
New York 87

But, in all honesty, I think that the Knicks will come to win against Toronto. I really think that we'll play with heart. I think we'll win. Period.

I hope you enjoyed the preview.
<div align="center">
-AJD (Knicks Analyst)</div>

 

[Mr. J]

Good Preview Knicks Analyst. I honestly want the Knicks to return a 20 point defeat to the Raptors. I think the Knicks will play with more heart especially since they're at home, and Isiah will be watching and everything. Due to the heart that the Knicks will be playing I'm taking them by 10 100-90. I would've said 15 but, I'm going with 10 to be on the safe side.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Nice preview. We also have to keep playing the pick and roll. Kurt Thomas only had five shots last time. You already mentioned Ariza. And the Knicks have to feed Sweetney. He'll kill Bosh down there and possibly get him into foul trouble. This game wont be easy. I say the Knicks will not let themselves lose after that embarassing showing. Knicks will win it 94-89. By the way...can someone tell me why we dont play some sort of zone defense? That should stop teams from constantly breaking down our defense.

 

[skip]

sweetney will kill bosh in the post?LMAO.. ok...

 

[Mr. J]

Sweetney is way bigger than Bosh. Bosh only has quickness over Sweetney. Bosh will have no chance on Sweetney downlow. A double is the only way Sweetney wont get his way.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting DerfZ:</div><div class="quote_post">sweetney will kill bosh in the post?LMAO.. ok...</div>
WAKE UP CALL!

Sweetney is perfectly capable of controlling Bosh in the post. It's a matter of whether he'll commit to it, and if Lenny will. I love Bosh, he's my 4th favorite player, but Sweetney is capable of killing Bosh in the post. I don't think Sweetney is there yet(Mentally). But DerfZ, you obviously don't know enough about Sweetney to 'scoff' or 'laugh' at that statement. (Bosh is the better player overall, though. IMO.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Yeah so feed the ball to Sweetney so he can work. I dont think anyone on the Raptors can play him one on one. Pick and roll them to death. Pull TT early and put in Ariza. Can someone tell me why dont the Knicks play a zone defense? I do believe the old Dallas Mavericks, who had also suffered from the same weak perimeter defense that we do, played alot of zone defense. Cant this work for us?

 

[Mr. J]

The zone is worth a try but, I don't think it will provide us with drastic perimeter improvements.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post"> Can someone tell me why dont the Knicks play a zone defense? </div>
Easy. There are too many stupid players on the team. Plus, Wilkens wouldn't commit time to teach it to morons like TT. With TT out of the picture, we could've mastered the zone and other defenses a while back.
Stupid ol' Tim Thomas.

 

[Mr. J]

He also doesn't know how to break a pick or count like in your old sig lol.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Knicks Analyst:</div><div class="quote_post">Easy. There are too many stupid players on the team. Plus, Wilkens wouldn't commit time to teach it to morons like TT. With TT out of the picture, we could've mastered the zone and other defenses a while back.
Stupid ol' Tim Thomas.

</div>

Oh. Thanks I guess. What if we took TT out of the rotation? You think we could learn to play the zone afterwards. Who are the other stupid players by the way?

mrj18 I disagree. The zone defense will work wonders on our perimeter defense. Its becoming painfully obvious were simply lousy at the man to man defense. That is what the zone defense is designed for. Keep the opponent's perimeter players where they belong-on the perimeter.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">What if we took TT out of the rotation? You think we could learn to play the zone afterwards.</div>
I think without TT we'd have a good chance at locking the zone down as a defensive dimension.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">
Who are the other stupid players by the way?

</div>
Norris, Brewer, Baker (He's really lost it-never should've started drinking

), Mohhamed (not a genious, but not really stupid) ...
That's about it. But that's too big of a number. Zone defense isn't successful unless everyone can really learn it.

 

[og15]

The only person that can play Sweetney is either Jerome Moiso, or Pape Sow, but they won't be in the game, so no one that will get PT will be able to matchup against him.

 

[02civic]

zone defense might not be a good idea. Its usually best against teams that are strong inside. The raptors are decent outside shooting team. If you put a zone on you very well may get burned. Also the raps have several players capable of busting a zone to bits with dribble penetration and slashing.

Raps win by 8 (and no it wont be a fluke )



Also Knicks Anaylast, i'm gunna disagree with the raps MVP and say its not Bosh, but rather Alston. he has been our catalyst all year, our leading scorer, and our leading assist man. He's been dynamite and should give the knicks trouble with their lax help defense. Just my 2 cents

 

[Bobcats]

It will be close, or not even close if any of these teams win IMO. I expect the Knicks to win by 5 or 15.

Also, getting back to the Sweetney/Bosh thing, but you guy's might be overrating him just a bit. He's a great player no doubt, and will be for years to come, but Bosh will kill him with his quickness, just like he did against Rasheed Wallace (who is obviously a better defender than Sweetney).

 

[Knicks Analyst]

Oh yeah guys. I forgot to mention that I'm going to the game, so I won't be here to give halftime updates and everything.

mrj18/Tribute To H20- Would one you do the half-time updates and stuff since I won't be around?

 

[Mr. J]

I got it Knicks Analyst. Have fun at the game!

 

[Knicks Analyst]

Thanks mrj18

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">I got it Knicks Analyst. Have fun at the game!</div>
Thanks man, I will. I appreciate your help.

 

[P.A.P.]

I don't really know what kind of impact Sweetney will have on todays game. If he does Guard Bosh, I can see Bosh exposing him more than Sweetney exposing Bosh. With Bosh's quickness and ability to finish inside, it's easy to see Bosh racking up easy baskets or Sweetney racking up fouls. Sweetney will get his fare share of baskets versus Bosh, but he'll be helped out with some zone defense, Woods and Marshall.

 

[Mr. J]

Bosh is quick no question however, Sweetney is way too big and powerful for Bosh. Sweetney also has his share of agility down low as well. Sweetney has 35 more pounds on Bosh. So Bosh can easily get into foul trouble. Besides if things get out of hand for Sweetney, JYD is more than capable of giving Bosh a hard time. JYD is stronger and can match Bosh's quickness.

 

[Trip]

The Raptors' big men will have a big edge over New York IMO. Donyell Marshall and Bosh's range would draw Mohammed and Sweetney away from their comfort zone, which is the post. If they do not come out, Marshall/Bosh would just shoot, and if they do come out, Marshall/Bosh would drive. Although Sweetney could manhandle Bosh on offense, I expect Marshall to be on him most of the game.

 

[P.A.P.]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">Bosh is quick no question however, Sweetney is way too big and powerful for Bosh. Sweetney also has his share of agility down low as well. Sweetney has 35 more pounds on Bosh. So Bosh can easily get into foul trouble. Besides if things get out of hand for Sweetney, JYD is more than capable of giving Bosh a hard time. JYD is stronger and can match Bosh's quickness.</div>

I don't think Bosh can get into foul trouble against Sweetney. He's well taught. He won't commit stupid fouls, he's a tough kid, and will stand his ground against him. If Sam sees the knicks running plays for him, he'll adjust and make double teams or go zone, seeing that the Knicks aren't a great shooting team.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors' big men will have a big edge over New York IMO. Donyell Marshall and Bosh's range would draw Mohammed and Sweetney away from their comfort zone, which is the post. If they do not come out, Marshall/Bosh would just shoot, and if they do come out, Marshall/Bosh would drive. Although Sweetney could manhandle Bosh on offense, I expect Marshall to be on him most of the game.</div>


I dont know it depends alot on what Style Steph plays actually to the success of the Knicks bigmen. Last game vs the Raptors Steph was really looking to score 1st coming off of pick & roll situations. So it took away from the looks Kurt Thomas got in the pick & roll situations, when he pops out to the mid range area. But if Steph is looking to pass in those situations, the way Kurt Thomas has been shooting the ball this year from mid-range, I can see alot of success for the Knick big bodies. When Kurt Thomas is involved in the Knicks offense then he becomes even more active on the defensive side, with his on ball D. So Steph has got to invlove Kurt early for the Knick bigbodies to have success. KT jumper even opens up floor spacing for Sweets down low when they are in the game together. When Kurt is making that jumper, it drags bigbodies out toward him on the perimeter then you can really see Mike Sweetney's offensive rebounding skills.

 

[og15]

Matt Bonner's shooting is not a fluke remember that, I think he's shooting 60% this season now, and this is mostly on jumpshots, I don't think I've ever seen him hit rim on a made jumpshot, craziness.

 

[Mr. J]

<font size="7">Halftime</font>

<font size="5"><font color="DarkOrange">Knicks: 50 </font></font>

<font size="5"><font color="Indigo">Raptors 43 </font></font>

Well the game has been very up and down. The Knicks were really doing well in the first quarter. Then in the second quarter our second unit wasn't doing well. Palacio was getting layups. That is unacceptable. Right now the Knicks are "lacking continuity." Once we get our big leads we need to keep them.

<font color="DarkOrange"><font size="4">NYK Leading Scorers:</font></font>
Tim Thomas: 13
Nazr Mohammed: 12
Jamal Crawford: 10
<font color="Indigo">
<font size="4">TOR Leading Scorers:</font></font>
Milt Polacio: 11
Matt Bonner: 6
Morris Peterson: 6

<font color="Red"><font size="4">Hot at the Half:</font></font>
Tim Thomas so far has had a great first half. Hopefully he this game has helped him break out of his slump. He has 13 points and 5 rebounds on 6/8 shooting. If he continues to play like this all game long then we greatly increase our chances of winning. Now that he is actually playing it's like we are playing 5 on 5 instead of 4 on 5.
<font size="4">
Final Prediction:</font> I am still taking my Knicks with a final score of 100-88 just to be safe. The Knicks know better than to mess up this game. So it will be a W for us.

 

[Nylex]

Knicks win 108-102, yay! Raptors had a big 4th quarter though.

 

[Mr. J]

I am happy we won but, the game should have never come down to the final seconds. At the end we played too nonchelant and it almost came and shot us in the foot. Crawford played well and had a season high 30 points on 11/22 shooting. Tim Thomas played well in the first but, died down in the second half. I guess this game had to be good because we won however, I was not pleased with the overall second half effort. We need to know how to close out games more instead of playing these dangerous kinds. If Vince made that layup we would have been up by one and would still be in risk of sending the game into OT.

Knicks had MVP :
Stephon Marbury with 18 points and a season high 15 assists, was definitely the catalyst today balancing scoring and passing. More games like this are definitely bound to come.

Raptors MVP(a hard one):
Milt Palacio with 14 points and 8 assists was playing very well off the bench. Many times he broke down the defense with and 1 layups. His 8 assists were crucial for a possible Raptor come back but, it was to no avail as Toronto came up short in this one.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Tough game just like I thought it would be. TT did well surprisingly. Although I doubt it'll last but who knows. Nazr performed. Basically got a contribution from everybody. The Knicks are still undefeated when scoring 100+ points. It looked like the Knicks were running away with it then they had to put some drama into the game. Good win. I still dont think Sweetney got enough shots but we still got the "W" and that's all tha matters.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

I just got back. Crawford played extremely well, I'm very proud of him.

Vince played well, as did T. Thomas

. Vince was smiling and all of that and hugging Knicks players. This could very well be a sign of things to come.

There is a lot to say about the game, if I was to write an entire recap it would easily be 10 pages long (in Microsoft Word-single spaced).
So, I'm going to pass on a recap.

 

[Henacy]

Coach Mark Aguirre, must have done more then work with Nazr Mohommad over the summer & during training camp, I think he surgerically removed Narz' feet and replaced them with his...because Narz has been showing an array of post moves, I never figured I would ever see from him. His foot work looks great on his little drop step move toward the baseline. And the little 5 foot turnaround move he is developing is also impressive. I almost dare to say the Knicks have a legit post option in Mohammod. But I think we need to see him maintain a consistent level of play first.

Anyway, Tim Thomas was smiling all game, during his semi-breakout performance. I didnt know members of his family died recently, I think that could have had a major effect on the way he was playing. The Knicks still werent that good defensively, that Raptors 2nd unit is a killer for New York, Palacio breaking down the Knicks D, off the dribble. And Bonner steping out from the painting and knocking down the perimeter J. But the Knjicks did set the tone for the victory in the 1st quarter. The way they came out and took away some of the things the Raptor's starters wanted to do. Jalen Rose and Chris Bosh didnt really have the impact on the game that the Raptors needed for them to have inorder to get the victory. Despite some poor 4th quarter play, defensively, silly turnovers, fouling Mo Pete taking a three etc. the Knicks played pretty solid today.