Season Opener Preview: New York @ Minnesota

[Ming637]

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Preseason Record

<font color="blue">New York Knicks 5-3</font> and <font color="green"> Minnesota Timberwolves 4-4</font>

Date 11/3
Time 8:00 pm eastern

Previous Game

Jazz @ Knicks- 89-83 W
Pistons @ Timberwolves- 102-95W


Probable Starting Lineup

<u>Knicks</u>

(<font size="1">Lenny Wilkens</font>)

<font size="1">(Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford, Tim Thomas, Kurt Thomas, Nazr Mohammed)</font>

<u>Timberwolves</u>

(<font size="1">Flip Saunders</font>)

(<font size="1">Sam Cassell, Latrell Sprewell, Trenton Hassell, Kevin Garnett, Michael Olowakandi</font>)

6th Men

(<font size="1">Trevor Ariza and Fred Hoiberg</font>)


<u>Keys To Game</u>

Knicks

Jamal Crawford needs to watch his shot count, and not throw up bricks, as he has done throughout the preseason, Stephon Marbury and Michael Sweetney will need to step up for this game and perform big, because the Timberwolves are pumped for a new season, as they are a big contender. The Knicks also need to contain KG, because if he gets loose the Wolves will tear the game apart.

Timberwolves

KG needs to distribute the ball to Spree as much as he can, because he will get double teamed and guarded heavily countless times in this one. Sam Cassell will need to keep Marbury at a level where he can't open up the game. The Wolves need to watch out for Sweetney, as he improved much this offseason. If the Wolves let Crawford open, he can get on fire, they need to force him to take his wild and impossible shots because it will be costly to the Knicks.

(Keys to the game has been provided by JBB Member: Only The Knicks)

My Take:

I say it will be a close game, 86-83 Timberwolves </div>

 

[Mr. J]

I really have no idea who will win. On paper the T'Wolves are better however, that's just paper. We beat Minnesota last season and Mutumbo dropped something like 18pts with 18 boards. I think the Knicks will be able to pull off a 98-94 upset over the T'Wolves.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

Like my sig says:

My perspective: NY: 88 Minnesota: 112

 

[TnNeG]

this is gonna be a great game for a season opener, i just hope sprewell doesn't do the same as he did last time.
I say: NY: 92 Minnesota: 86

 

[SportsTicker]

My prediction is that the Knicks drop the first one to the timberwolves. My sole reason for my prediction is Kevin Garnett, he's the reigning MVP and theres not many people that can stop him, we unfortunately have no one capable of controlling KG unless the double team works or else no. Minnesota 99, New York 87.

 

[All-Star]

Nice preview Ming. Hope you make great new ones in the future.

As for the preview, you are one hundred percent right on Garnett's part. Not only does he have to produce to Sprewell, but also to Cassell to get that mid-range jumper going.

My prediction: Timberwolves win by 8

 

[Ming637]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting All-Star:</div><div class="quote_post">Nice preview Ming. Hope you make great new ones in the future.

As for the preview, you are one hundred percent right on Garnett's part. </div>


Oh don't thank me on that. KEys to the game are provided by Only The Knicks.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Well...I dunno. I really dont. I think the Knicks will walk away with the win though. Kevin Garnett if the Knicks dont constantly pressure him will destroy the Knicks that much I'm sure of. Kandiman isnt that great. Cassell and Sprewell are all another year older...The Knick bench is great so we'll always be producing points...I cant analyze how or why the Knicks will win but I smell an upset. Like someone said before we beat them with the old team. I say the final score will be 90-83 Knicks.

 

[Beat]

I think the Knicks can take it also ..... but i think the knicks will win every game so i guess my opinion doesnt really count

 

[hoop_dreamz]

i really think that knicks have the capability to win their season opener against the wolves. it will b a tough game, and its a shame that allan houstan wont be playing but crawford, sweetney and marbury can provide an upset.

 

[Henacy]

This will be a close matchup, especially since I dont think Sprewell is gonna play. I think he is pulling a stunt like he did when he was here. He is mad at Timberwolves management so he isnt rushing back from injury, simliar to what he did with Scott Layden after he came into training camp with his mysterious elbow injury a few years back. Also the wolves have a tendenacy to get off to slow starts to the season. Minny has been getting off to slow 1st month starts for about the last 2 or 3 seasons. But with that Iam think the wolves will pull out a close one.

They will be at home, they will be healthy for the most part with the exception of Spree.And will look to feed of the crowd and energy in the target center. Also the Wolves do two major intangibles better then the Knicks, they are a much more effiecient perimeter shooting,maybe the best in the league. And they are a better defensive basketball team as Kevin Garnett and Trenton Hassell usually dictate the pace of their team defense.

I think Jamal Crawford is going to have a extremely inconsistent shooting night with Hassell drapped all over him.

Cassell vs Steph should be a excellent match, Steph and Sam have always played extremely aggressive against each other since Steph was on the Wolves. So I always enjoy when those to matchup. I give the edge to Steph in the matchup this time, he is in better basketball rythm right now, coming off the Dream team action. And he also got more minutes in during the preseason to get a feel again for basketball.

This isnt a game that the Knicks cant win. But I think alot has to go right guys like Kurt Thomas and Mike Sweetney are going to have to be produce in the paint area to offset what KG is doing down low. How the Knicks defend will be key as well, I dont think they want to get into a scoring, shootout with the wolves despit having Crawford and Steph in the backcourt. And like I said Crawford's consistency against Hassell's defense will play a key part in the final score.

It should be a close and interesting game though...

 

[Krist0f]

TWolves win, nobody will be able to limit KG, TT will have one of those usual games when he disapperas completely. Nazr will continue his dismal preseason performance.

I hope I am wrong.

I am really looking forward to seeing Ariza on the court. Hopefully Lenny gives him minutes. I am curious if Ariza handles the regular season game as well as the preseason ones. I am pretty sure he's mentally tough enough to overcome the pressure.

 

[Ming637]

Any more predictions guys?

 

[Mr. J]

We might not be able to stop KG but, our frontcourt are not the only players playing. Marbury, and Crawford will cause problems. Hopefully Tim Thomas can bring a similar game that he brought vs. the Jazz. We have a much better bench than Minnesota as well. Also if we had the old squad beating Minnesota @ home last year, we definetly hve a shot at winning today.

 

[Henacy]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">We might not be able to stop KG but, our frontcourt are not the only players playing. Marbury, and Crawford will cause problems. Hopefully Tim Thomas can bring a similar game that he brought vs. the Jazz. We have a much better bench than Minnesota as well. Also if we had the old squad beating Minnesota @ home last year, we definetly hve a shot at winning today.</div>

I wouldnt put much stake into that win last year cause around the time the Knicks beat the wolves last year, everybody was beating the wolves then..It was the start of the season and you could clearly tell with all those new faces that nobody new their roles. So that was a timing and situation loss more then anything you could have put last year's Hawks against Minny that night and the Wolves probably still would have lost. We didnt see the true Wolves team until December once everyone got adjusted

 

[Knicks Analyst]

Just for the record, I changed my mind about the final score.

New York: 88
Minnesota: 93

 

[N4S]

Ariza as a 6man, don't you have anyone else on the bench?

 

[VintageNYK]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Need4Sheed:</div><div class="quote_post">Ariza as a 6man, don't you have anyone else on the bench?</div>
Michael Sweetney, Vin Baker, JYD, Moochie Norris.

 

[Ming637]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Need4Sheed:</div><div class="quote_post">Ariza as a 6man, don't you have anyone else on the bench?</div>


Well, you sound like you are under-rating him. He averaged 9 points. 5 boards and 2 steals in the pre-season and imo, that's pretty impressive being the 43rd draft pick.

 

[Knicks Analyst]

At the half:
New York 51
Minnesota 58

I will provide my post-game analysis tommorow.

 

[Beat]

It looks like the knicks can win it

 

[ChicagoSportsFan]

When I look at the two teams i see the wolves who are a great team with great players at point, forward and power. A team where either of those three can drop 40 on a good night. I like the new look Knicks but there is a problem. I see a team with no true starting line up because the only consistent player in that starting lineup i see Starbury. tim thomas is the most inconsistent of the group but where the real problem hides is in the acquisition of crawford. The worst thing that a team could do is give him the okay to shoot. crawfords continuous 20-25 foot brick shots is not good for a team with suspect rebounding ability. combine that with cassells history of great games against allstar pointguards. The wolves are a team with energy, experience, and a mission(championship). I dont think the knicks have a chance.
ONE(love)

 

[Ming637]

Knicks werent's able to contain Garnett all game long. He scored in I believe 28 points, 20 boards and 7 assists. Minnesota wins this won.

 

[Mr. J]

It was a pretty good game. We could have won it if we weren't held scorelless for 6:30 minutes. Looks like a pretty good season. If Allan Houston played I'm positive we could have won. If we played extremely well against NBA championship contenders who knows what is bound to happen in this season to come. My last comment of the night is Ariza had a great game. He put up great numbers against a great team. It shows you how much potential he has. He is going to be a star in the years to come.

 

[Tribute to H2O]

Well the Knicks lost. Although we can take alot of good things from this game. Ariza didnt look scared out there. Sweetney is performing well. Crawford played well but it looks like he was taking alot of bad shots as well as Marbury. Kurt Thomas was good. JYD did what he's here to do. Nazr Mohammed....pulled down a number of rebounds, got himself a handful of points, a couple of turnovers. And Tim Thomas...I wont even put up the numbers. It might be too early to say it but...Wilkens should consider starting Ariza over TT. Overall nice performance by the Knicks. Wished we could have walked away with the win but did well against "title contenders". Looking for good things next time and better things when Houston comes back.

 

[VintageNYK]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Tribute to H2O:</div><div class="quote_post">...and better things when Houston comes back.</div>

IF Houston comes back that is

 

[Henacy]

I figure the Knicks would pull this game out in the 2nd half based on how sluggish the Wolves looked in the 3rd and 4th quarter. The door was left open the wolves just couldnt cash in, Cassell never misses as many 4th quarter free throws & shots as he did tonight but New York could take advantage.

I think Ariza played extremely well tonight. I dont think he'll be the Knicks 6th man during the course of 82 games. But he definately is earning his way into a legit role in the Knicks perimeter/wing rotation even for after Houston comes back. I think he really step up & create some positve things for the Knicks on the defensive end, on a night where Tim Thomas really wasnt giving you anything. I think for the Knicks to win that game they really needed Tim Thomas to play well cause he should have been able to put the # up against Wally's weak defense. 3-13 is just unexceptable with Wally guarding you. But its Tim Thomas so....

I think the positves for the Knicks of course besides Ariza. And of cousre the play of Marbury & Crawford, was the play of frontline guys like Kurt Thomas & Micheal Sweetney. Kevin Garnett did his thing as expected but Kurt Thomas & Sweetney didnt backdown. And they got quite a few things done on the back board & offensively downlow, they combined for 21pts & 21rebs. Even tho the wolves arent a good rebounding team along the frontline outside of KG, that was still a good sign for the Knicks frontline going against the MVP.

All & All, I think it was a pretty well played game from both sides, guys were a little fatigued in the 2nd half, you could tell by the lack of leg in some guys lift in their jumpshots in the 3rd and 4th and the type of turnovers both teams. But the game was competive thru out. And I think while the Wolves controlled the action for most of the game after the 1st quarter, the Knicks still put up a good fight. And had there chances to sneak out of Minny with the win. And I think people forget how hard it is to win in Minny, they are always amongst the league leaders in home victoires. And home record, they only lost like 7 or 8 times last year at the target center. And most of those came early in the year when they had a bunch of new parts that didnt know their roles.

 

[Mr. J]

The freethrows NY missed down the stretch really hurt them a lot. The door was opened as Henacy said but we just didn't take advantage of it. I think as we become more experienced as a team, get Allan Houston back, and gain some chemistry together we will be a really good team. Once Ariza gets a consistant jumpshot and some muscle he will be pretty good. He might beat out Tim Thomas for the starting job next year (that is if Tim is still around). With this teamwork and effort I really do think we will make it to the conference finals.

 

[Beat]

He might beat out tim thomas this year (If hes still around)

 

[Tribute to H2O]

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BobbyEscobar:</div><div class="quote_post">He might beat out tim thomas this year (If hes still around)</div>

For real. Tim Thomas was hurting my eyes. We got nothing from him. We should start Ariza and have TT come off the bench for him. Then when Houston comes back have Penny switch over and back up Ariza. TT can get the garbage minutes. Yes your all going to say Ariza is a rookie and that TT is better than Hardaway that was just one bad game TT had but I'm sick of him and his silly excuses. His play, as Walt Frazier would say, was "uninspired" as usual. The kid should start over him. Maybe that'll wake that bum(TT)up. My idea will never happen but I just felt like putting it out there.