Linsanity Continues, Knicks Defeat Mavs 104-97

Jeremy Lin

Linsanity Continues

First Off, What a GREAT game.

The Knicks continued their great play today against the defending champs, the Dallas Mavericks.

This was a see-saw battle all game.

Jeremy Lin lifted the Knicks passed the Mavericks for an impressive win. However, contributions from J.R Smith and Novak were key to the Knicks holding on today.

Novak had 11 points in the 4th quarter with clutch 3-pointers to keep the Knicks ahead. J.R Smith provided a spark early in the game and gave the Knicks someone other than Lin that can threaten the middle of the defense.

However, Lin did have 7 turnovers today, that number needs to go down as the season progresses. Despite that, Lin has proven he is for real and the Knicks have found their point guard. Also with Baron Davis coming back, the depth at point guard will be a strength for the Knicks offense as the production should not drop as drastically when Lin is out of the game.

With Novak’s clutch shooting, Lin controlling the offense and the defensive mindset that has taken over this team, the Knicks can be a viable contender in the eastern conference.

Lin really seems to be the missing piece for this team.

Think about it.

How consistent has Fields,Chandler,Novak and Jefferies been since Lin’s emergence?

I use these guys as examples because they are important role players that each bring something different to the table for the Knicks. Amare may not have gaudy numbers, but the team is winning and I think that is what’s important to him.

I am so excited to see what happens when Melo and Davis are healthy and how they are incorporated into this team. Melo obviously will be in the starting lineup, but seeing how he meshes with Lin will be key if the Knicks want to contend this season.

Davis on the other hand, can give the Knicks a solid backup to Lin and contribute by running the offense when Lin is out of the game. It is unreal to see how stagnant the Knicks offense is when Lin is off the court.

The Knicks, all of a sudden have one of the deeper teams in the league. This team has depth, scoring ability and someone who can anchor their defense (Tyson Chandler).

Tyson has been GREAT for the Knicks so far, his defensive mentality has definitely made an impact on this team.

When you beat the defending champs, you deserve credit and I give the Knicks a ton of credit for their effort and their resilience.

Tyson Chandler

Tyson Chandler Brings Attitude To The Knicks

The House That Donnie Built

The New York Knickerbockers

Courtesy: @NervousNeophyte

I would like to personally dedicate this New York Knicks blog to the former General Manager and President Joseph Donald Walsh Jr.,(aka Donnie Walsh), for doing everything a recent Knicks fan has ever asked for.

When I sit down and actually think about what that man has done for the Knicks in the past two years, I find it hard not to smile.

I’ll never forget the days when the Knicks and the MSG network would try to sell us the games of Steve Francis, Stephon Marbury and my favorite one of them all, Eddy Curry. The 2011-2012 New York Knicks are possible championship contenders with an all star front court filled with a great amount of respect that is given by us so-called die-hard New York Knick fans.

I’d be lying to you if I said I never thought about giving up on the Knicks in the past few years.

Staying home for a Friday night Knicks vs. Timberwolves match up and seeing them get blown out while the Timberwolves star forward Kevin Love drops 30 points and 30 rebounds isn’t necessarily what I would call a productive Friday night for Knicks fans.

I can now say that the NYK community can finally enjoy some productive and winning basketball. I hope I don’t jinx it but knowing the Knicks of late they’ll find a way to break the hearts of thousands once again. Check the 2010 Knicks playoff exit if you don’t believe me.

What amazed me the most about Donnie Walsh, is the way he negotiated multiple trades, not in favor of the basketball talent on the court, but in favor of their payroll. Mr. Walsh came in with one goal and one goal only, and that was to completely dump every huge salary issue the Knicks had on their financial books. Its funny how former coach, GM and President Isaiah Thomas found a way to make such a mess on and off the court; even though he was one of the games best guards to ever play the game.

Mr. Thomas would spend money like I do after a twelve pack and a few tequila shots and believe me that’s not a good thing.

Thomas deserves 75 percent of the blame for the Knicks abominable free agent signings and pathetic performances.

But year after year, New York Knicks and New York Rangers owner, James Dolan never tried to put a stop to the madness. He just continued to sign the checks and live in hiding.

Dolan would refuse to address the media every year.

I’m convinced he has no idea about hockey or basketball and doesn’t want to come off like an idiot in front of his hard paying fans if caught in a tough question during a press conference. Dolan showed his face when newly acquired superstar power forward Amar’e Stoudemire signed his new five year $100 million dollar contract.

When things are all going right in the MSG world, Dolan doesn’t hesitate to show his smile. During the dark days, he was just the wealthy ghost of 33rd and 7th Avenue.

Now the Knicks have a “Big Three” that consists of  Brooklyn’s own Carmelo Anthony , power forward Amar’e Stoudemire and seven-footer Tyson Chandler.

The roster the Knicks have put together this year could arguably be one of the most talented opening day rosters in franchise history. With Carmelo’s ability to score at will and Amar’e Stoudemire’s leadership, the Knicks should be in tip-top shape to make a serious run at the NBA title. Its hard to believe how far the Knicks have come in the past three years.

The Knicks are plugging in veteran role players such as Mike Bibby and Baron Davis to give quality minutes  and guide the way to the young talents of Iman Shumpert , Landry Fields and Tony “Teach Me How To” Douglas.

The garden will be rocking every time the boys in orange and blue are in town.

This New York City fan base is ready to join them at the Canyon of Heroes during their championship parade.

P.S. What ever happened to David Lee?

The New York Knicks: 5 Things to Look For in The Upcoming Season

The Lockout is finally over and its time to prepare for what should be a fun season for the New York Knicks. Here are what i think the 5 most important things to look for throughout the Knicks season.

The NBA Lockout lasted 149 days

1. The Lockout Effect– after 149 days the NBA owners and the players association decided to end the lockout and agree on a new CBA. Unfortunately this means that traininig camps and preseason will be shortened to 3 weeks, and condensed NBA schedule will tests the stamina and endurance of all teams. The Knicks need to get right to work in training cap and pre-season in order to build championship caliber chemistry between Amar’e Stoudamire and Carmelo Anthony. It will be interesting to see how well the Knicks superstars mesh in the first couple of weeks in the season.

Tyson Chandler was one of the main reasons the Mavericks won a championship last year

2.The Addition of Tyson Chandler– Comming into the season, the goal for the Knicks had been to form a big 3 in New York, similar to the big 3 that was  formed in Miami. Once it became evident that Knicks did not have the pieces to pull off a trade for either Chris Paul or Dwight Howard, they turned to Tyson Chandler. Chandler may not be considered a “superstar” in this league but he is a perfect fit for the team. Last year Amar’e struggled on the defensive end because he was defending out of position. Amar’e is a true power forward having him guard opposing team’s centers is a mismatch. Tyson Chandler will provide strong defense and ferocious rebounding. He could be the piece that makes the Knicks a serious contender in the eastern conference.

The Knicks need a big year from Toney Douglas

3. The Emmergence of Toney Douglas- Although the NBA owned Hornets are making it very difficult for teams to trade for Chris Paul, i do not see him making it to free agency this summer. Too many teams with significant pieces are interested in the perennial all star guard, and eventually the NBA will allow the trade of Paul. This means that the Knicks are going to rely on Toney Douglas to run the point. In order for the Knicks to be title contenders Douglas must elevate his game. Douglas is an excellent defended, but  he shoots more than you would like your point guard to shoot, and his court vision is not that of a top point guard. The Knicks did sign Mike Bibby, but his age could be a problem in D’antoni’s run and gun offense. I see Douglas getting most of the run at point guard this year and it should be interesting to see how his game develops.

The Knicks need to stay healthy in order to make a run this year

4.Injuries– In professional sports, injuries are a major factor. Every team has injuries so you can’t blame the success of the team. Having said that, the Knicks are a team that needs to say injury free in order to be successful due to their lack of depth. Carmelo Anthony is coming off an off season where he had procedures on his elbow and knee, Amar’e Stoudmaire couldn’t finish the playoffs last year because of a back issue that lingered into the postseason. As well as his back, Amar’e’s knees will always be a concern because his history of knee problems and the fact that his knees are un-insurable on his contract. Also Knicks newest player, Tyson chandler missed over 30 games in consecutive seasons before becoming a defensive staple for the championship Mavericks last year. If the Knicks plan on making a run at the east this year they must stay healthy.

Is Mike D'Antoni the Knicks coach of the future?

5.Mike D’antoni– Since he took over in 2008, Mike D’Antoni has done a good job of getting the Knicks out of the basement of the Eastern Conference , and putting them in position to compete for a title, but can he take them all the way? Last year the Knicks were in the top 5 of the NBA in scoring, but they were bottom five in points allowed. Everyone knows that a Mike D’Antoni coached team is going to score a ton of points, but the question is can they play defense? The offseason aquisitions of 7 footer Tyson Chandler, and former Atlanta Hawks Coach and defensive specialist Mike Woodson should be a huge boost on the defensive end of the floor. If the team struggles defensively, i wonder how long D’Antoni will last in New York?

Just in the Knick of time!

Now that the NBA Lockout is finally behind us, we can look forward to the frenzy that is the NBA free agent wire, wild trade rumors, and pre-season predictions. Along with the NBA season and its tremendous story lines heading into the 2011-2012 season.

–          Will Dallas repeat?

–          Can Kobe land his 6th title?

–          LeBron’s play in the playoffs

–          Can Boston win with Garnett, Pierce, and Allen one more time?

–          Can Derek Rose lead his team to the finals?

–          How good can the Knicks be?

–          Is it Durant’s time to go to the Finals?

The most intriguing headline to me is how good can the Knicks be? (Yeah I’m a Knick fan). However, Last season left me wanting so much more, I know the team was put together midseason with the addition of Carmelo, but I feel this team has so much potential. Especially since the Knicks were so competitive against in the Celtics in the first round, and now we finally get to see how this team progresses in a shortened 66 game regular season.

Also, for me personally, I don’t really pay attention to the NBA season until Christmas, so opening day against the Celtics on Christmas is pretty great for me. A solid meaningful home game against an opponent that swept you from the playoffs in the first round, well know about this Knick team very quickly.

With the addition of Chandler, the Knicks could really make some noise this season and in the playoffs. I’m not saying they are going to win it all, but I feel it’s reasonable to think this team now is talented enough to win a 1st round/maybe 2nd round matchup in the playoffs. Chandler gives this team a defensive and athletic presence in frontcourt that has been sorely missed for the past decade.

In addition, I feel this is the first time in a long time that Knick fans have high aspirations heading into the season (and rightfully so). I am a football fanatic, but I must say when the Knicks are competitive, the city definitely has a different buzz to it. The Knicks are a historic franchise with a passionate fan base hungry for playoff success.

During Basketball season the story is always the Knicks, unless the Nets acquire Dwight Howard, the Nets will ALWAYS be an afterthought (Although, moving to Brooklyn and being in the talks for Howard is a step in the right direction).

With Melo, Stoudemire, and now Chandler, this could be one of the best front courts in the NBA. Fields at the 2 is solid; he is a good perimeter defender and the only one on one defender the Knicks have. The question lies at Point Guard, Billups is a clutch player with championship medal, but his contract and his understanding of D’Antoni’ system is the problem.

Toney Douglas could be and should be the Point Guard for the Knicks; he is quick and a defensive pest in the back court and will not get torched (at least not as easily as Billups) by Rondo and the quicker guards in the NBA.

In a season filled with story lines, I will be paying attention to none more than the progress of the Knicks throughout the season, I am eager to see how the Knicks match up against the powerhouses in the East (Miami, Chicago, Boston).

What I am more eager to see; MSG packed watching LeBron get his shot blocked on his way to the basket by Chandler to win the game for the Knicks. Perfect time to come back NBA, I did not miss you, but I was getting worried about you, Welcome Back.