Jan 12 2012

Notes From Grizzlies 94-83 Ass-Whooping of the Knicks

That game sucked. Chandler was nonexistent, Melo got hurt and Amar’e scored 6 points. Need I say more? Knicks lost 94-83 and it wasn’t that close.

Here are some notes from the game:

  • Amar’e had a really good game tonight. He got 2 fouls in the first 2 minutes and finished the game 1/7 with 6 points and 3 rebounds in 20 minutes. It was like he and Chandler got on a plane to Oklahoma City with about 6 minutes to go in the first quarter. Both players were non factors tonight, much like the rest of the beleaguered team except for Melo.
  • Melo is a mess right now. He played a good game, scoring 14 points on 6/11 shooting, but he sprained both his wrist and ankle. It was just that type of a game. Melo’s status is unknown right now but if he’s out for any period of time, the Knicks will be in trouble. While Amar’e and Chandler were on their way to Oklahoma City, Melo kept the Knicks from drowning with his quality offensive game. Right now, he is far and away the Knicks best player but unfortunately he is the most injury beleaguered player with the exceptions of Davis and Jeffries.
  • Can Baron Davis come back already? I know he won’t hit the ground running but he can’t be any worse than this. I love Shumpert but tonight showed why we cannot rely on Shumpert. He was…. ready for this? 5/20 shooting the ball. Yes he took 20 shots and hit 5 of them. At one point he had more shot attempts than Melo, Amar’e and Chandler combined. Knick fans will act like its the end of the world. It’s not. Shumpert is a rookie, he will have games like that. That being said, this team cannot afford to have many outputs like this from Shumpert. His offensive efficiency is crucial to the Knicks success. (Hoopdata hasn’t released the advanced box scores yet but I am expecting Shumpert’s usage rate to be in the 70′s).
  • Bill Walker is a garbage time all-pro. Too bad he goes 0/11 in the playoffs.
  • Douglas showed signs of life… With 4 minutes to go in the middle of a blowout
  • Notes on Landry Fields: see notes on Toney Douglas
  • Jeremy Lin didn’t even see the court in this one… I expect him to be cut next time the Knicks sign a free agent.
  • Jerome Jordan didn’t even see the court in this one… he might be headed to the D-league when Jeffries comes back
  • Chandler was a -22 tonight
  • Novak was a +12
  • Jorts continues to stroke from outside the arc
  • Douglas continues to not stroke from outside the arc
  • Balkman thought he was Scottie Pippen trying to pipe on people tonight at the rim. He was unsuccessful.
  • Knicks play OKC on Saturday. If Melo’s not there, Saturday’s game might be worse than this one.
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Jan 12 2012

Greg Monroe Being Terrorized by Knicks Stars

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUE1O-skSGc] [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnwNRtcnsBA]

Last season it was Amar’e Stoudemire. This season it was Carmelo Anthony. Both Knick stars have now posterized Pistons center Greg Monroe.

January 31st, when Detroit comes to the garden, I look for Steve Novak to continue the trend and mash on Greg Monroe’s head

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Jan 12 2012

Knicks-Grizzlies: What to Watch For

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COrXqN_vl14&feature=fvst]

Last season the Knicks finished 2-0 against Memphis including a 110-108 thriller in which Melo hit a game winner. The Knicks, winners of 4 straight, look to continue their hot streak against the Zack Randolph-less Memphis Grizziles tonight.

Here are some things to watch for tonight:

  • Stoudemire vs Marreese Speights. With injuries to Zach Randoph and Darrell Arthur, the next man up for the Grizzlies is newly acquired Marreese Speights. Stoudemire should destroy Speights tonight. There’s no other way to say it. If Stoudemire can dominate tonight and take some of the pressure off Melo, I think the Knick offense will be much more productive than last night. Last night, Anthony had a 43% usage rate while Stoudemire was at 25% I think if those usage rates can even out a bit more, the Knicks will be more successful offensively.
  • Can Shump go 5-0? Iman Shumpert is 4-0 since replacing Toney Douglas as the Knicks starting point guard. The rookie has brought lots of energy on both sides of the ball and I look for him to continue that trend tonight. The Grizzlies, who have struggled offensively this year, can be had at point guard. The combination of Mike Conley, Jeremy Pargo and Josh Selby should not pose any offensive problems for Shumpert and I expect him to shine again tonight.
  • D’Antoni should clear bench tonight. The bench has been very thin the past few games and I think this is a game where D’Antoni would be wise to play more players. Looking to Saturday, the Knicks play a very good Oklahoma City team in Oklahoma City. I know Memphis is a good team but they still have a 3-5 record. I believe the Knicks can defeat them even if the bench has to play decent minutes. I think having Melo, Amar’e and Chandler all playing more than 35 minutes tonight would be a mistake.
  • De-fense! De-fense! De-fense! The Knicks are currently ranked 7th in defensive efficiency and seem to be improving by the game. The Grizzlies are definitely a team that the Knicks should handle defensively and I look for them to continue that trend tonight.
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